Skip to main content

Shoulder Pain

Everything you need to know

Ortho Spine Life specializes in providing comprehensive treatment for shoulder problems and injuries that have caused pain, strain, sprain, tears, and instability. The shoulder is a complex joint with a range of motion, unlike any other joint in our bodies. We use our shoulders in almost every activity we engage in, which is why shoulder pain and shoulder injuries can have such a big impact on our quality of life.

Common shoulder pain conditions.

A rotator cuff tear is a disruption in the group of muscles and tendons that stabilize your shoulder joint and let you lift and rotate your arms. This type of injury can cause a dull ache in the shoulder, which often worsens with use of the arm away from the body.

Common symptoms of a rotator cuff tear include:

  • Pain at rest and at night
  • Pain when lifting, and lowering your arm or with specific movements.
  • Weakness, when lifting a rotating your arm,
  • A crackling sensation when moving your shoulder in certain positions

In about 80% of patients, non-surgical treatment relieves pain and improves function in the shoulder. Non-surgical treatment options may include rest, activity modification, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, analgesics, physical therapy, and injections. Surgery may be recommended if your pain does not improve with non-surgical methods.

Impingement syndrome is caused by the excessive squeezing or rubbing of the rotator cuff and shoulder blade. The pain associated with the syndrome is a result of an inflamed bursa (lubricating sac) over the rotator cuff, and or inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons, and or calcium deposits in the tendons due to wear and tear. Shoulder impingement syndrome can lead to a tear of the rotator cuff.

Impingement problems can occur during activities that require excessive overhead on motion. Medical care should be sought immediately for inflammation in the shoulder, because it could eventually lead to a more serious injury.

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis is a severely restrictive condition. Frequently caused by injury that, in turn, leads to lack of use due to pain. Intermittent periods of use may cause inflammation and adhesions to grow between the joint surfaces thus restricting motion. There is also a lack of synovial fluid to lubricate the gap between the shoulder bone and socket that normally helps the shoulder joint to move. This restricted space between the capsule and ball of the humerus distinguishes frozen shoulder from the less complicated condition, known as stiff shoulder.

After a period of worsening symptoms, frozen shoulder tends to get better, although full recovery may take up to three years. Physical therapy with a focus on shoulder flexibility, is the primary treatment recommendation for frozen shoulder.

How Ortho Spine Life can help.

Ortho Spine Life provides individualized care for a wide spectrum of shoulder conditions including rotator cuff injuries, dislocations, instability, tendonitis, ligament injuries, and frozen shoulder. Our medical team takes a conservative approach focusing on non-surgical treatment options and therapies when possible, prescribing physical therapy, NSAIDs, and interventional procedures to help alleviate pain and restore function.

Contact Us