Shoulder Pain
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Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Orthopedic Surgeons located in McKinney, TX, Prosper, TX & Sherman, TX
When any of the complex structures in the shoulder are damaged by injury or degenerative disease, the pain you feel can significantly limit what you can do. The board-certified orthopedic specialists at Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine are experts in diagnosing and treating shoulder pain at the Prosper, McKinney, and Sherman, Texas, offices. Whether you need physical therapy or surgical repair of the shoulder joint, you can rely on the comprehensive care available. Visit the McKinney and Prosper offices as a walk-in, book online, or call the office nearest you to schedule an appointment today.
Shoulder Pain Q & A
What causes shoulder pain?
Your shoulder is a versatile joint made up of three bones and supportive soft tissue that lets you perform a wide range of motions like pitching a baseball and reaching around your back.
One of the most common causes of shoulder pain is an injury to the rotator cuff, the group of muscles that keep your shoulder in place. Rotator cuff injuries are often the result of falls or improperly lifting heavy objects. Degenerative disease can also break down the structure of your rotator cuff.
Your shoulder is also susceptible to impingement, a condition caused by the top of your shoulder blade pressing on the soft tissues underneath, causing pain and limited mobility. In shoulder instability, pain results when the top of the upper arm bone moves out of the shoulder socket.
Other common causes of shoulder pain include:
- Arthritis
- Fractures
- Inflammation
- Tendon tears
Repetitive activities involved in sports or your job can result in overuse injuries that cause persistent pain in your shoulder.
How is shoulder pain diagnosed?
You should schedule a diagnostic appointment at Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine when shoulder pain doesn’t get better with rest and over-the-counter medicine and lasts longer than a week.
Your provider does a physical exam, testing the range of motion in your shoulder joint and identifying areas of swelling and tenderness. Imaging tests might also be necessary to give your Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine physician a closer look at your shoulder joint and soft tissues.
What treatments are available for shoulder pain?
Depending on the cause of your shoulder pain, your Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine doctor could initially recommend limiting your activities and using over-the-counter medications to reduce pain and inflammation.
Physical therapy can also help restore your shoulder function and strengthen the muscles that support your shoulder joint.
If these treatments aren’t enough to improve your shoulder mobility, you could need surgery. Surgical techniques, including computer-assisted robotic surgery, are available to repair soft tissue tears, prevent repeated dislocations, and remove scar tissue to alleviate chronic shoulder pain.
For more information about diagnosing and treating chronic shoulder pain, schedule a consultation online or by calling the office nearest you. You can also visit the McKinney and Prosper offices as a walk-in for new shoulder injuries.