Shoulder Pain

What causes shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain typically arises from damage to the bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, or nerves within the shoulder joint, and often a combination of two or more of these tissues.

Shoulders are large, complex joints that have one of the most extensive ranges of movement of all the joints in your body. They’re vulnerable to acute injuries from accidental damage, for example, while playing sports. They can also be subject to degeneration over the years, as tissues age and get progressively more worn.

What conditions commonly cause shoulder pain?

There are a wide variety of conditions that can cause shoulder pain. Some of the shoulder problems Dr. Goldstein treats most frequently include:

Arthritis

Arthritis causes swelling and inflammation in the shoulder joint, making your shoulder feel stiff and painful. There are different types of arthritis, but they all cause the protective joint linings to deteriorate and rub away, so the bones start rubbing against each other.

Tendinitis

Tendinitis is a common sports injury, especially in people who play sports like golf and tennis that require you to move your shoulder in a certain way with some force. It’s also a problem for anyone who has to use their arms in a raised position a lot of the time, like a painter.

Bursitis

Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that help cushion the bones in your shoulder. If the bursae become inflamed because of friction with tendons in the joint, it can cause pain in the shoulder.

Dislocation 

Dislocation occurs when a bone in a joint moves out of place, usually due to a violent wrenching movement or because you’ve been in an accident. Dislocations commonly cause damage to the rotator cuff as well, a complex network of tendons that keeps the shoulder joint in place.

Frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) develops after you’ve been in a sling or a cast because of an injury to your arm. Being immobile causes the shoulder joint to become stiff and painful.

How is shoulder pain treated?

Dr. Goldstein has a variety of treatment options that he can include in your rehabilitation plan. These treatments include:

• Anti-inflammatories
• Massage therapy
• Physical therapy
• Stretching exercises
• Acupuncture
• Ultrasound therapy
• Electrical stimulation
• Cortisone injections
• Regenerative medicine

If you have shoulder pain, schedule a consultation with Dr. Goldstein by calling Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, PC, today, or book an appointment online.