Shoulder Pain Treatment Options
Your shoulder pain may be caused by an injury that you can immediately identify, a gradually increasing condition caused by overuse or a structural issue that needs to be diagnosed. Some common causes of pain include:
- Collarbone or upper arm bone fracture
- Dislocation
- Rotator cuff injury
- Pinched nerves
- Tendonitis
- Frozen shoulder
- Shoulder joint instability
- Arthritis
To diagnose your shoulder pain your doctor may order medical imaging (i.e. X-ray, CT scan, MRI, etc.) laboratory testing or an arthroscopy — a minimally invasive procedure that uses an optic tube that sends images of the inside of the joint to a screen. Arthroscopy is also used for treatment of some conditions.
Treatment options
The treatment varies widely depending on the cause of your pain. Our orthopedic shoulder specialists will work with you to determine the reason for your pain and the appropriate course of treatment. Some common treatment options include:
Non-surgical treatment:
- Activity modification
- Rest
- Physical therapy
- Medications
Surgical treatment:
- Rotator cuff repair — a common restorative surgery — often done using an arthroscope inserted into the joint through a very small incision — to repair torn tendons or muscles in the shoulder, or to shave bone spurs that may be pinching the shoulder.
- Shoulder replacement or reverse total shoulder replacement — though less common than hip or knee replacement, shoulder joint replacement surgery removes diseased or damaged bone in the shoulder and replaces it with an artificial joint. Shoulder replacement is often used for arthritis of the shoulder than is not relieved by other methods. Reverse shoulder replacement can be used for patients who need shoulder replacement and have a rotator cuff injury.
Understanding shoulder pain
Almost everything we do every day uses our arms, so even a little pain in a shoulder, elbow, wrist, or hand can make life harder. We have experts who can help.
At Lawrence Hospital, our upper extremity orthopedic doctors specialize in relieving pain in the shoulders, elbows, wrists, and hands. Some surgeons treat all of these joints, while others focus on one area.
The shoulder is the largest joint in the upper body, and keeping it moving well is key to using your arms. Our doctors offer many treatments—both non-surgical and surgical—to reduce shoulder pain. They often work closely with physical therapists, who can also help improve mobility and strength.
Elbows, wrists, and hands get the same kind of care. Whether pain comes from injury, overuse, medical conditions, or aging, our team can guide you toward relief and better function.