Shoulder Pain

The word “shoulder” is used to describe a joint that’s really made up of a number of different parts, primarily the scapula (shoulder blade), humerus (upper arm bone) and clavicle (collar bone). The tendons and muscles that hold these joints together give you the mobility you need to do everything from swinging a golf club to throwing a touchdown pass.

All that activity takes its toll, though. Neck pain and shoulder pain can knock you out of your game indefinitely unless you seek help from a sports and pain management team in Manhattan to provide the best shoulder pain treatment in NYC.

The Main Causes of Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain can result from any number of main issues:

Instability
Broken bone
Tendonitis
Torn tendon
Bursitis
Pinched nerve
Arthritis
Sprain
Frozen shoulder

Bursae are the fluid-filled sacs in your shoulder that allow flexibility by preventing bones from rubbing up against each other. Bursitis happens when that sac just plain wears down, usually from overuse.

Tendons wear down as well and can eventually lead to tendonitis. Tendonitis is either acute, from a sudden tear or accident, or as chronic pain in the shoulder, often leading to arthritis. Most cases of right shoulder pain and left shoulder pain from wear and tear are due to osteoarthritis, which often begins to appear in middle age and worsens as you get older.

What Are The Symptoms Of Shoulder Pain?

Depending on the underlying cause, shoulder pain can manifest in various ways.
Some of the most common symptoms of shoulder pain include:

Pain or discomfort in the shoulder joint
Stiffness or reduced range of motion
Swelling, redness, or tenderness
Weakness in the arm or shoulder
A popping or clicking sensation in the shoulder joint during movement
Numbness or tingling in the shoulder or down the arm
A feeling of instability or looseness

Sometimes you may experience symptoms in the areas surrounding your shoulder, such as the upper arm, neck, and back.

When Should I See A Doctor For Shoulder Pain?

Reasons you should see a doctor for shoulder pain include:

Severe and persistent pain accompanied by other symptoms such as fever or swelling
Pain resulting from an injury and accompanied by significant swelling, bruising, or a visible deformity
Pain that interferes with your daily activities, such as reaching or lifting
Pain that doesn’t subside within 2 to 4 weeks and is not improving with self-care measures such as rest, ice, or over-the-counter pain medications
History of shoulder problems or chronic pain, or a medical condition that affects your joints or bones
Pain that radiates down your arm or into your neck

Sudden or severe pain in your shoulder or chest, especially if it runs to the left jaw, arm, or neck, or occurs with shortness of breath, dizziness, or sweating, could be a sign of a heart attack or other serious medical condition. Call 911 or your local emergency number if you experience such symptoms.

Diagnosing Your Shoulder Blade Pain

Your physician needs to get a complete picture of your pain to properly diagnose the cause and come up with a shoulder joint pain treatment plan. He needs to know when the pain first started, how bad it gets, when it’s worse and what makes it feel better.

Before coming up with your treatment for shoulder pain, your doctor checks for:

Physical abnormalities
Inflammation
Muscle weakness
Tenderness
Range of motion
Strength

Tests for a more accurate diagnosis may include:

X-rays
MRI or CT scan
Nerve function tests
Arthrogram

An arthroscopy may be in order if no conclusive results are found. It’s a minor surgical procedure during which your doctor places a fiber-optic camera through a tiny incision to get a closer look at the inside workings of your shoulder. He can see things that don’t show up on x-rays and sometimes, he can even correct the problem during the procedure.

Shoulder Muscle Pain Treatment

You may be familiar with the rotator cuff, which is a group of muscles and tendons that surround your shoulder on each side. Rotator cuff injuries are common, especially for athletes and those who do physical work every day. A rotator cuff tear or repetitive motion wear-and-tear can lead you to seek relief from a pain treatment specialist in Manhattan.

Treatment for shoulder pain is tantamount to maintaining your activity levels. Whether you have an accident or chronic condition, you could end up with permanent immobility, weakness or stiffness without shoulder muscle pain treatment. Don’t put off a doctor’s appointment if you’re in pain.

Shoulder Pain Treatment Options

The first line of defense for left shoulder blade pain and right shoulder blade pain is to stop the activity that makes it hurt. Shoulder blade pain often dissipates with rest. Conservative treatments recommended by your doctor begin with:

Anti-inflammatory medications
Rest
Ice
Physical therapy exercises
Steroid injections

Surgery may eventually be needed to relieve your neck and shoulder pain. Surgery may consist of a simple tendon repair or be as sophisticated as a complete shoulder replacement, depending on your specific needs and goals.

Emergency Shoulder Joint Pain Treatment

Some healthcare providers suggest that left shoulder blade pain is a symptom of a heart attack. But even if you have right shoulder blade pain, you could be having a serious health emergency. Don’t worry about whether it’s right shoulder pain or left shoulder pain; seek immediate care if the pain in the shoulder is accompanied by:

Severe pain anywhere else
Difficulty breathing
Chest pains or tightness in your chest
Abnormal appearance of your shoulder
An inability to move your arm up or away from your side
Swelling that starts suddenly
Redness in your shoulder area
Tenderness when you touch the area

How Long Does Shoulder Pain Last?

How long your shoulder pain lasts can vary depending on the underlying cause and the severity of the injury or condition. Acute shoulder pain, which is typically caused by an injury, can last for a few days to several weeks. In some cases, the pain may subside within a few hours or days with rest and pain relievers. Chronic shoulder pain, which is usually caused by an underlying medical condition such as arthritis, can last for weeks, months, or even years.

Febin Melepura, MD is a top rated, best in class interventional pain management doctor. He is a nationally recognized pain relief specialist and is among the top pain care doctors in New York City and the country. He is an award winning expert and contributor to a prominent media outlets.

Dr. Febin Melepura has been recognized for his thoughtful, thorough, modern approach to treating chronic pain and, among other accolades, has been named a “top pain management doctor in New York”, and one of “America’s Top Doctors™” for an advanced sports injury treatments.