Shoulder Pain Specialist

What is shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain is any stiffness, aching, or discomfort that affects one or both of your shoulder joints. Almost everyone experiences shoulder pain on occasion, due to wear-and-tear or an acute injury. Still, if your pain doesn’t respond to rest, ice, or other at-home treatments, visit the team at Martin Orthopedics.

What causes shoulder pain?

Common causes of shoulder pain include:

• Rotator cuff tear
• Tendinitis
• Bursitis
• Arthritis
• Shoulder impingement
• Frozen shoulder
• Shoulder instability
• Fractures
• Dislocation

You might also experience shoulder pain due to carpal tunnel syndrome or a work- or sports-related injury.

When should I see an orthopedic surgeon about shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain typically isn’t a concern, but if your pain gets worse, or it keeps you from routine activities like going to work or exercising, it's important to seek treatment. Without intervention, shoulder pain can result in decreased mobility and a poor quality of life.

How is shoulder pain diagnosed?

At Martin Orthopedics, the team diagnoses shoulder pain by conducting a thorough evaluation. First, they review your health history and ask about your symptoms, including their severity and when they first started. Next, your provider examines your shoulder, gently pressing on it to find areas of swelling or tenderness.

They might also have you move your arm in various directions to test your shoulder’s strength and range of motion. If these steps aren’t enough to make a diagnosis, your provider orders imaging like diagnostic arthroscopy, X-rays, an MRI, or a CT scan. These tests can pinpoint underlying issues like torn muscles and ligaments or a fracture. 

You might also benefit from arthroscopy, a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure that uses a thin tube with a camera and bright light to examine your shoulder in more detail.

How is shoulder pain treated?

At Martin Orthopedics, treatment of shoulder pain depends on the underlying cause and the condition’s effects on your quality of life. Usually, the team recommends conservative treatments, including:

• Physical therapy
• Regenerative medicine, which includes platelet-rich plasma
• Joint injections
• Restricting movement like with a sling
• Exercise and activity modifications

If these measures don’t provide relief, you might benefit from surgery.

The team at Martin Orthopedics performs minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery as well as traditional shoulder surgery and total joint replacement. Thanks to modern surgical tools and anesthesia, both procedures have a proven record of success.

If you regularly experience shoulder pain, make an appointment at Martin Orthopedics by calling the nearest office today or scheduling online.