Shoulder pain is a common problem that affects people of all ages. Shoulder pain can be a minor discomfort or a debilitating condition that interferes with daily activities. Symptoms of shoulder pain may include pain or stiffness in the shoulder joint, difficulty moving the arm, weakness, and numbness or tingling in the arm or hand.
Causes of Shoulder Pain
There are several causes of shoulder pain, including:
- Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear of the shoulder joint over time. It causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint, particularly in the morning or after periods of inactivity.
- Rotator cuff tear: Injury to one or more of the rotator cuff tendons can cause pain, instability and muscle weakness.
- Ligament or cartilage injury: Ligament or cartilage injuries such as a labral tear can cause shoulder pain, as well as shoulder impingement and instability.
Shoulder Pain Treatment
The treatment options for shoulder pain depend on the type of pain and its underlying cause. Common treatments include:
- Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help to alleviate shoulder pain. In more severe cases, prescription medications may be necessary.
- Physical therapy: Physical therapy can help to strengthen the muscles around the shoulder joint and improve flexibility, which can help to alleviate shoulder pain.
- Injection therapies: Corticosteroid injections can help to reduce inflammation and alleviate shoulder pain. Depending on the cause of the pain injections may target the joint, the bursa or the nerves.
- Surgery: In cases where conservative treatments are not effective, surgery may be necessary. Options may include rotator cuff repair or total reverse shoulder joint replacement.
Most interventional pain procedures are done at the onsite procedure suite.
Don’t let shoulder pain keep you from living your life. Lakeshore Pain and Spine Center is dedicated to providing personalized and compassionate care to help you achieve pain relief and improve your overall well-being. Call Lakeshore Pain and Spine Center or book an appointment online today.