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Painful, weak shoulders prevent you from freely using your arms and hands, interfering with most everyday tasks. If shoulder pain limits your activities, contact John East, DO, at Addison Pain + Regenerative Medicine in Addison, Texas. Dr. East and his team offer effective treatments that ease shoulder pain and restore lost function. Call the office to request an appointment or arrange a consultation today by completing the online booking form.
Why am I experiencing shoulder pain?
Shoulder pain develops when there’s damage to the bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, or nerves that form the joint.
If your shoulder pain comes on suddenly, it’s likely due to an injury affecting the joint, like a fracture, dislocation, or connective tissue tear. You’ll probably know about it because the pain from acute injuries is instant and often severe. It can also affect your ability to move your arm.
Shoulder pain that develops gradually could result from overuse or a chronic disease. For instance, people who repeatedly make overhead movements can develop bursae inflammation (bursitis) and soft tissue irritation, often known as thrower’s shoulder.
Arthritis is another common joint condition. Osteoarthritis, the most widespread form, is due to decades of wear-and-tear that erodes the protective articular cartilage covering your joint’s bones. Other types, like rheumatoid arthritis, are caused by autoimmune disorders where your immune system malfunctions and attacks healthy joint cells.
How does my provider diagnose shoulder pain?
To determine shoulder pain’s cause, your provider asks how the injury happened and the symptoms you experienced. They check the site for abnormalities, bruising, swelling, and skin changes. Then, they assess joint stability and range of motion.
The initial exam gives your provider a good understanding of the problem. In some cases, this is enough to make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment. However, the Addison Pain + Regenerative Medicine team might require you to have an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI to examine the joint in more detail.
What treatment might my shoulder pain require?
Shoulder pain treatment varies depending on your diagnosis, age, existing health problems, and symptoms. Your personalized treatment plan consists of conservative treatments initially, with injectables and minimally invasive procedures reserved for more severe, non-responsive shoulder pain. Treatments the Addison Pain + Regenerative Medicine team uses include:
- Physical therapy
- Chiropractic care
- Immobilization with a sling or a cast
- Over-the-counter painkillers
- Prescription pain medication
- Corticosteroid injections
- Hyaluronic acid injections (viscosupplementation)
- Nerve blocks
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Peripheral nerve or spinal cord stimulation
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
- Bone marrow aspirate (BMA)
PRP and BMA are natural sources of healing cells taken from your blood or tissues. Injecting them into a damaged shoulder encourages faster, better tissue repair.
Call Addison Pain + Regenerative Medicine to learn more about finding relief from shoulder pain, or schedule a consultation online today.