Shoulder Strain Treatment Doctor NYC

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A sprained shoulder can be mildly irritating or extremely painful. When you have pain from a sprained shoulder, seek immediate treatment to rule out muscle strain in the shoulder or strained shoulder blades. Quick treatment for a sprained shoulder may help you prevent further damage that impairs your abilities. Come to our sports injury and pain management clinic to get your shoulder joint pain evaluation and treatment. Meet our shoulder doctor Febin Melepura M.D. to get the pain relief you need in the safe, reassuring hands of the best sports pain management specialists in NYC.

Shoulder Strain/Sprain Treatment Though often used interchangeably, there’s a subtle difference between a sprained shoulder and a shoulder strain. Pain resulting from a sprained shoulder injury results from the stretching or tearing of ligaments in the shoulder that attach bone to bone. Strained shoulders result from stretching or tearing the tendons that attach bone to muscle.

Your shoulder is a very mobile joint with very little stability, especially when placed in certain positions. Acute injuries should be swiftly addressed by your Midtown Manhattan sports injury doctor to avoid chronic problems. Although shoulder sprain treatment often mimics shoulder strain treatment, your pain or symptoms may differ slightly.

Causes for Sprain Shoulder Issues

There are many different actions that can result in a sprained shoulder. The outer bony knob of your shoulder attaches to both your collarbone (clavicle) and your shoulder blade (scapula) by ligaments. The ligament that attaches the inner end of your collarbone to your sternum can also be damaged, although that’s much rarer. A sprain shoulder injury can result from:

A strong direct blow to the front or top of your shoulder
A force on your arm that causes the ligaments to stretch, such as your arm being forced backward when raised 90 degrees at the shoulder
Tearing or stretching of the ligaments or capsule connecting arm bones at the front of your shoulder
Damage to the outer end of your collarbone
Trauma from a fall
Colliding with an object, such as during contact sports
A crushing injury
A kick to your breastbone, as during sports or from a horse
Sideways or back tackle
Severe stressing of the joint

The need for shoulder sprain treatment is common among athletes, especially those involved in full-contact sports such as hockey or football. Shoulder pain should never be ignored; seek medical attention right away.

Causes of Strained Shoulder Blades

Strained shoulder pain can be acute or chronic, depending on the injury. Acute injuries occur when the muscles or tendons become pulled or torn, resulting in muscle strain in the shoulder. Chronic injuries result from prolonged, repetitive movements on the job or in sports such as gymnastics, tennis, rowing, or golf.

Since your shoulder joint is so highly mobile, it’s more susceptible to injuries. However, there are some risk factors that can contribute to more severely strained shoulder blades. These include poor conditioning, fatigue, improper warm-up, environmental conditions (that cause a fall), and poor equipment.

Symptoms Requiring Treatment for a Sprained Shoulder

There’s some overlap between the symptoms of a sprained shoulder and strained shoulder blades, but there are subtle differences. Sprained shoulder symptoms include:

Pain in your shoulder, usually at the front of the joint
Tenderness when pressing an area of injury
Rapid swelling
Reduced mobility
Joint instability
Contorted collarbone
Feeling a tear or a pop in a joint
Warmth and redness near the affected joint

Symptoms Requiring Shoulder Strain Treatment

Strains can have many of the same symptoms as above, as well as:

Sharp pain at the site of the injury
Muscle spasms, swelling or cramping
Inability to move affected joint
Numbness in any part of the injured area

Dr. Melepura was so helpful helping me understand why my shoulder hurt and prescribing the right treatment - finally pain free!

Michael Budreau

Reasons to Seek Shoulder Strain Treatment

Many mild shoulder sprains or strains can resolve on their own with home remedies such as rest and over-the-counter medications. Seek shoulder sprain treatment from your NYC sports medicine doctor, however, when you experience:

Pain, swelling or stiffness that doesn’t improve in three days
Popping sensations whenever you move the injured joint
Inability to move or bear weight on the injured joint
Bones that don’t seem aligned properly
Muscle strain in the shoulder that allows no movement whatsoever
Repeated sprains or strains, indicating chronic weakness
Fever while the area is red and hot, which may indicate an infection

Your doctor conducts a detailed physical exam to check for pulses, lack of feeling or impaired movement in your wrists and elbows as well as your shoulders. He may request x-rays, an MRI or CT scan to determine the exact nature of your injury.

Treatment for a Sprained or Strained Shoulder

Mild injuries usually resolve themselves with rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Other treatments that help muscle strain in the shoulders include:

Anti-inflammatory medication
Electrotherapy treatment, such as an ultrasound or laser
Physical therapy
Steroid injections to reduce swelling
Arthroscopic or open tendon or ligament repair surgery
Shoulder replacement surgery

Conservative treatments aim for recovery in one to two weeks. Most who have surgery return to work in about four weeks, though athletes usually need three to five months for full recovery due to the added strain on the joint. Working closely with your Manhattan pain specialist ensures the most adequate shoulder sprain treatment and the quickest return to a pain-free, active lifestyle.

Do you have any questions about the shoulder strain treatment we offer in NYC? Would you like to schedule an appointment with the best-rated doctor in New York Febin Melepura MD of NYC sports pain management clinic? Please contact our office for a consultation with the pain relief specialist in Midtown Manhattan.

Page Updated on Oct 28, 2022 by Dr. Melepura (Pain Management Doctor) of Sports Injury & Pain Management Clinic of New York Sports Injury & Pain Management Clinic of New York
36 W 44th St #1416
New York, NY 10036
(212) 621-7746

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.

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