The shoulder area is susceptible to injuries that are often the result of excessive, repetitive motion.
This often includes athletic activities like swimming, tennis and pitching, as well as non-athletic activities like painting homes, moving furniture and construction.
Specifically, shoulder pain can be the result of:
- Dislocation
- Labral tearing
- Rotator cuff tear
- Fractures
- Tendonitis
- Overuse
- Deconditioning
Treatment Options
A physician will take your full medical history and perform a physical exam to determine a diagnosis for your pain. They may also request an X-ray to get a closer look at your shoulder area and to confirm diagnosis.
Most of the time, shoulder pain and injuries can be resolved non-operatively. In fact, over 90% of shoulder problems do not need surgery to heal. Orthopaedic physicians most commonly prescribe a series of exercises that are designed to help you regain your strength in the shoulder area. Occasionally, ultrasound guided injections of cortisone or even platelet rich plasma (PRP) can be utilized in combination with physical therapy. Surgery is only considered when a patient has failed to recover after this conservative treatment. After surgery, your physician will generally prescribe physical therapy to help you regain full mobility and functionality.
