What is shoulder pain?

Pain in the shoulder is a symptom that often comes with arm weakness, joint instability, or stiffness. You might develop this pain very suddenly when a traumatic injury happens, or you can develop shoulder pain gradually over time if you use your shoulder joints frequently.

Any shoulder pain can make it hard to get through the day, especially if you work in a position where you must lift your arms frequently. If you’re an athlete, shoulder pain can get in the way of your ability to lift weights or play sports like tennis or baseball. You might feel the pain constantly, or only when you make certain movements with the shoulder. 

What causes shoulder pain?

There are numerous injuries and chronic conditions that can cause or contribute to shoulder pain, instability, and stiffness. Dearborn and Livonia Orthopedics & Sports Medicine provides detailed evaluations, including imaging tests, to make sure the diagnosis you receive is accurate. 

Shoulder pain can come from:

• Bicep tendon rupture
• Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)
• Rotator cuff tear
• Osteoarthritis of the shoulder
• Proximal humerus fracture (broken shoulder)
• Bursitis 

Dearborn and Livonia Orthopedics & Sports Medicine develops a treatment plan to resolve or reduce your shoulder pain and any other symptoms that come with it. They start with conservative options and may recommend shoulder surgery if your shoulder pain doesn’t respond to initial treatment attempts. 

How is shoulder pain treated?

The treatments that improve your shoulder pain depend on the exact cause of the pain and the extent of the damage. Most instances of shoulder pain respond well to conservative care, which does not involve surgery. 

A combination of home care recommendations and professional treatments at Dearborn and Livonia Orthopedics & Sports Medicine can treat shoulder pain. Your personalized care plan might involve:

• Rest
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Physical therapy
• Steroid injections
• Sling
• Stretching exercises

If your shoulder pain progresses to the point of requiring surgery, Dearborn and Livonia Orthopedics & Sports Medicine can recommend appropriate options for your specific injury or condition, such as open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) for a proximal humerus fracture or total shoulder replacement surgery for osteoarthritis. 

Schedule your evaluation and treatment consultation for shoulder pain by calling Dearborn and Livonia Orthopedics & Sports Medicine or booking an appointment online today.