Considering the daily wear and tear on your shoulder, it’s no surprise that shoulder pain is a common problem. In fact, 40-50% of people struggle with chronic shoulder pain that lasts a year or longer. At Schofield, Hand and Bright Orthopaedics in Sarasota, Florida, Brian Schofield, MD, has extensive experience determining the cause of shoulder pain and providing individualized care that eases your symptoms while restoring a strong joint. To get exceptional treatment for shoulder pain, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.
A group of muscles called the rotator cuff are responsible for supporting movement and holding the arm in the shoulder joint. As a result, the rotator cuff, and especially its tendons, are susceptible to injuries.
The conditions that commonly cause shoulder pain include:
Everyone can develop shoulder pain due to normal, everyday wear and tear. But your risk of developing shoulder pain increases when you’re engaged in activities such as pitching, weight lifting, and painting that require overhead movement.
The injuries and conditions responsible for shoulder pain usually cause other symptoms.
You may experience:
Shoulder fractures can occur in the upper arm, collar bone, or less often, the shoulder blade. When the arm bone is affected, most people experience severe pain and swelling.
Shoulder instability occurs when the shoulder lining, ligaments, or labrum (a rim of cartilage around the joint) become torn, stretched, or detached.
With early treatment, the injured tissues can heal and regain enough strength to prevent instability. If you ignore the pain and keep using your shoulder, the tissues won’t heal, and you’re at risk of developing chronic instability.
Dr. Schofield reviews your medical history and symptoms, examines your shoulder, and performs diagnostic imaging such as X-rays. Then he customizes your shoulder treatment based on the severity of your injury and your activity goals.
Most treatment plans begin with one or more of the following therapies:
Some shoulder conditions need surgery to diagnose the severity of the problem and repair the tissues. Shoulder dislocations, fractures, and ruptured tendons or ligaments often require surgery to ensure you regain strength and movement.
Dr. Schofield performs minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery for most procedures, including rotator cuff repairs. Surgery for a dislocated shoulder involves repairing the ligaments to prevent chronic instability.
If you have shoulder pain, don’t wait to seek help at Schofield, Hand and Bright Orthopaedics. Call the office or book an appointment online today.