Treating Shoulder Pain at Pima Ortho
The shoulder joint is a truly remarkable structure – it is the body’s most flexible joint, allowing a wide range of movements. However, this unique characteristic also makes it more likely to become injured or cause problems such as shoulder pain, instability and inflammation.
Since we rely on our shoulders for the simplest routine tasks, shoulder pain and reduced mobility can seriously interfere with our daily lives. Whether your shoulder pain symptoms are the result of an injury or another medical condition, our board-certified shoulder orthopedic surgeons at Pima Ortho will help to provide the relief and improvement you are looking for.
When to See a Doctor for Your Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder problems can vary from minor to serious. However, ignoring shoulder pain can lead to exacerbated shoulder problems or new shoulder injuries. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should make an appointment with your doctor to have them assessed:- Shoulder pain (including at night, sometimes waking you from sleep)
- Swelling
- Shoulder joint instability
- Numbness and tingling
- Changes in your range of motion
- Clicking or cracking sensations when moving your shoulder
- Weakness
Common Causes of Shoulder Pain
The shoulder joint consists of tendons, muscles, ligaments and bone. It is held in place by a group of muscles and tendons called the rotator cuff. In addition, the rotator cuff also protects the humerus and allows you to raise and move your arm. Shoulder injuries often occur due to falls or accidents during sports or work-related activities, as well as due to overuse and degenerative changes during aging. Some of the most common shoulder problems include the following:• Rotator Cuff Injuries
The rotator cuff is the group of four muscles and tendons in the shoulder that hold your arm in place and let you lift your arm up overhead. It can become damaged due to overusing your shoulder, degenerative changes due to aging or from having an accident or a fall. Other signs of rotator cuff tearing include shoulder pain at night or when lifting objects, as well as cracking sounds when moving your shoulder joint.• Shoulder Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that occurs when the cartilage which covers bones breaks down. The common symptoms of shoulder osteoarthritis include pain, stiffness swelling, development of osteophytes (bone spurs) and limiting the shoulder range of motion.• Shoulder Instability
This condition usually occurs when the structures surrounding the shoulder joint become injured and do not maintain the ‘ball’ of the shoulder joint (the humeral head) in its socket, causing it to slide out partially or completely. Shoulder instability can result in partial dislocation (also called subluxation) and complete shoulder dislocation.• Frozen Shoulder
Also known as adhesive capsulitis, this condition results from thickening and tightening of the shoulder capsule, causing shoulder pain, stiffness and reduced range of motion.• Impingement
This shoulder problem occurs when the top of the shoulder blade puts pressure on the tendons of the rotator cuff when you lift your arm away from your body or over your head. It can cause swelling and pain, and lead to bursitis or tendonitis over time.• Bursitis
Bursitis is the inflammation and irritation of the bursae, the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the shoulder joint, often due to shoulder overuse and repeating the same motions. Moreover, bursitis can occur due to having a fall or another type of accident. Some of the most common symptoms of bursitis include pain when moving your shoulder, and this condition often occurs together with rotator cuff tears and tendonitis.• Tendonitis
This painful condition occurs when the tendons of the shoulder become inflamed, and often affects the tendons of the rotator cuff. Tendonitis can happen due to excessive shoulder use, arthritis or an accident, such as a fall. This condition often affects the rotator cuff, causing dull pain, swelling and stiffness.• Fractures
Shoulder fractures refer to broken bones, and usually involve the humerus (upper arm bone), scapula (shoulder blade) and the clavicle (collarbone). This type of injury usually occurs as a result of an accident or a fall, and often causes significant pain and bruising.Conditions We Treat
Our board-certified orthopedic shoulder specialists at Pima Ortho specialize in all aspects of shoulder care. From muscle pain to more complex conditions, our team of orthopedic experts employs cutting-edge diagnostic techniques to correctly identify the problem and provide the highest standard of care to our patients. The shoulder conditions we treat include the following:- Shoulder Arthritis
- Biceps Tendonitis
- Biceps Tendon Rupture
- Burners (Stingers) Syndrome
- Collarbone Fracture
- Frozen Shoulder
- Humerus Fracture
- Loose Shoulder
- Muscle Imbalance in the Shoulder
- Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Shoulder
- Rotator Cuff Injuries
- Rotator Cuff Tears
- Shoulder Blade Fracture
- Shoulder Dislocation
- Shoulder Separation
- Socket Fracture