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  • Shoulder pain

Shoulder pain

The shoulder joint is a remarkable construction. It is the most mobile joint in the body; it enables forward and backward movements of the shoulder, enables the arm to move in a circular motion as well as move up and away from the body.

No wonder that even the slightest injury to the shoulder may hamper one's ability to move freely and can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort.

Many patients schedule appointments with our shoulder doctor complaining of Rotator Cuff Tears, when in fact very few actually have a tear!

There are several etiologies to shoulder pain; Adhesive Capsulitis (frozen shoulder), Subacromial Bursitis, Supraspinatus Tendonitis, Glenohumeral Instability, Chondrocalcinosis, Osteoarthritis, Gout, Lyme Arthritis, Bicipital Tendonitis, and Ganglion Cyst are but a few possible causes of shoulder pain.

The shoulder joint can be injured by playing sports, performing manual labor but also by repetitive movement. Diseases, such as that of the cervical spine, liver, heart or gallbladder may too result in pain traveling to the shoulder.

The correct identification of the underlying cause of shoulder problems is crucial for the right diagnosis and approach to the treatment. It is best to think of the cause of injury/pain and age in making generalizations for diagnosing shoulder pain.

Possible Causes of Shoulder Injury/Pain

Overuse

  • Subacromial bursitis

  • Supraspinatus tendonitis

  • Bicipital tendonitis

  • Impingement syndrome

Forceful Trauma

  • Glenohumeral instability

  • Fracture

  • Rotator cuff tear

Insidious Onset

  • Lyme Arthritis

  • Adhesive capsulitis

  • Ganglion cyst

  • Tumor

Chronic

  • Gout

  • Chondrocalcinosis

  • Osteoarthritis

  • Rotator cuff tear

Age

Since the soft tissues surrounding joints tend to degenerate with age, senior citizens (in their sixties and older) are more prone to develop problems with shoulder joints.

Younger patients:

  • Glenohumeral instability

  • Subacromial bursitis

Older patients:

  • Bicipital tendonitis

  • Impingement syndrome

  • Ganglion cyst

  • Lyme Arthritis

  • Adhesive capsulitis

  • Chondrocalcinosis

  • Gout

  • Rotator cuff tear

  • Osteoarthritis

The Correct Diagnosing of Shoulder Problems

To find the true cause of the shoulder pain, our shoulder doctor takes the patient's medical history and conducts a comprehensive physical examination. The doctor checks for swelling, tenderness, and assesses the patient's range of motion and joint stability.

There are over 50 shoulder exam tests that can be done by the examining physician - the shoulder doctor - alone, without the use of x-rays, MRI's, or arthrograms. However, the MRI or X-ray may be necessary to confirm a clinical suspicion or in difficult cases, to aid in the diagnosis, nevertheless, the patient's history of injury/pain and a thorough physical examination of the joint will usually suffice in making a diagnosis and establish a treatment plan.

The Approach to Treatment

Many shoulder joint injuries can be approached in a non-operative manner with medications, rest, ice, and physical therapy. On occasion, cortisone injections may be recommended to aid the therapy.

If an operation is needed, most of the shoulder joint conditions can be treated by arthroscopic (scope) techniques, with limited incisions, usually performed conveniently as same day surgery.

To receive the best therapeutic outcomes, it is crucial to initiate early treatment for shoulder problems. If you recognize any of the aforementioned symptoms, make a prompt appointment with our shoulder specialist to have it thoroughly evaluated.

More about a "shoulder doctor near me"

At Pinnacle, we utilize the most up-to-date technologies and surgical techniques to provide our patients with the highest quality orthopedic care. Our Fellowship Trained Specialists tackle issues from acute injuries to chronic problems and diagnose musculoskeletal disorders including the hand, elbow, shoulder, foot and ankle, trauma and fractures, joint replacement and reconstruction, sports medicine and many more.

To find out the best course of treatment for your shoulder problem, you can consult Pinnacle Orthopaedics' shoulder doctors andshoulder surgeonsin the following convenient locations:

Rest assured that you will be guided right from assessment and diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation, to ensure your full recovery.

If you still have any questions or wish to consult a member of our staff, pleasecontactour headquarters:

  • Phone: 770-427-5717

  • Fax: 770-429-8520

  • Visit us at 300 Tower Road, Suite 101, Marietta, GA 30060

  • Make an enquire on ourcontact page

The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.