What conditions can cause shoulder pain?
Shoulder pain has many possible causes and may be acute (sudden) or chronic (long-lasting). As well as pain in your shoulder, you might experience stiffness, weakness, and a limited range of motion. The types of conditions Dr. Bostick sees most often at Metairie Orthopedics & Sports Medicine include:
Bursitis
Bursitis is an inflammation of the sacs (bursae) of fluid that cushion the joint.
Arthritis
The type of arthritis you're most likely to get is osteoarthritis, which causes joint degeneration due to wear-and-tear and overuse.
Shoulder dislocation
Dislocation occurs when the ball-shaped bone at the top of your arm comes away from its socket in your shoulder blade. Subluxation is a partial dislocation.
Broken collarbone (clavicle fracture)
Your collarbone is at the top of your shoulder. Fractures are common and painful but usually heal well.
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
Frozen shoulder causes the joint to get increasingly stiff and painful. It can develop after a period of immobilization, for example, if you've had your shoulder in a sling.
Rotator cuff tear
The rotator cuff holds your shoulder joint in place and supports the joint's extensive range of motion. Tears are common and often happen at the same time as a dislocation.
Shoulder instability
If you've had repeated dislocations, the joint can become loose and prone to popping out.
Labral injury
The labrum is a lining of cartilage in the glenoid (socket) of your shoulder. If it tears, it can encourage shoulder instability.
Shoulder impingement
Impingement occurs if the front of your shoulder blade catches against your rotator cuff when you lift your arm. It's a widespread cause of shoulder pain.
What treatments are available for shoulder pain?
Treatments for shoulder pain may be surgical or non-surgical. Unless you have a severe fracture or another injury that requires an immediate repair, Dr. Bostick prepares a treatment plan for you that includes approaches such as:
- Rest and activity modification
- Applying ice or heat
- Wearing a sling
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Stretching exercises
- Physical therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Injections
Injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a healing substance made from your blood, can promote better, faster tissue repair and growth. Another potential treatment is viscosupplementation, using hyaluronic acid injections to lubricate an arthritic joint.
If the pain and inflammation don't recede after a few months, a steroid injection may help by combatting the inflammation long-term.
What surgical treatments might I need for shoulder pain?
The types of surgery Dr. Bostick performs for shoulder pain include:
- Acromioclavicular joint surgery
- Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair
- Labral repair
- Bankart repair
- Shoulder arthroscopy
- SLAP lesion repair
- Total shoulder replacement
- Reverse shoulder arthroplasty
Dr. Bostick is an expert in using minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to perform shoulder surgery.
To find relief from disabling shoulder pain, call Metairie Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, or book an appointment online today.
