What is shoulder pain?
Your shoulder is made up of numerous bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Proper shoulder joint function is crucial to effectively raise and lower your arm. Shoulder pain may present as:
- Inability to lift your arm high
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Dull, aching pain
- Sharp pain
- Limited range of motion
- Redness
If shoulder pain is severe or long-lasting, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Wilson at Shoulder Expert of Raleigh.
What causes shoulder pain?
Numerous diseases and injuries can contribute to shoulder pain. Examples include:
- Arthritis
- Tendonitis
- Complex trauma
- Labral tears
- Dislocations
- Fractures
- Bursitis
- Rotator cuff tears
- Bone spurs
- Frozen shoulder
Shoulder pain might result from normal wear-and-tear associated with aging, a sports injury, a work-related injury, or an automobile accident.
How is shoulder pain diagnosed?
To diagnose the cause of shoulder pain and establish the right treatment for you, Dr. Wilson reviews your symptoms and medical history. He examines your shoulder and uses blood tests or imaging procedures, such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, to make a final diagnosis.
What is the treatment for shoulder pain?
Your personalized shoulder pain treatment depends on the severity of your injury. Depending on your unique situation, Dr. Wilson may recommend one or more of the following:
At-home treatments
Dr. Wilson might suggest using ice or heat treatment, resting your shoulder, or wearing a brace or splint while a shoulder injury heals.
Medications
Taking over-the-counter or prescription medicines can alleviate pain and inflammation associated with a shoulder injury.
Injections
Hyaluronic acid, steroid, or anesthetic injections can accelerate healing and relieve discomfort with minimal to no downtime.
Physical therapy
Working with a physical therapist can improve strength and range of motion in your shoulder joint without addictive medicine or invasive surgery. Dr. Wilson can show you which exercises to complete at home between sessions.
Surgery
Surgery is reserved for shoulder complications that don’t resolve with conservative treatments. Dr. Wilson uses the latest advances in technology and surgical procedures to help you receive optimal results and restored musculoskeletal function.
Don’t live with debilitating shoulder pain when effective solutions are available at Shoulder Expert of Raleigh. Schedule an appointment over the phone or use the online booking tool to find out how Dr. WIlson can help you find shoulder pain relief.
