Shoulder Pain Treatment Sacramento, CA

BICEPS TENDONITIS OR TEAR AT THE SHOULDER

Repetitive overhead motion, such as baseball, tennis and swimming, can inflame and irritate the upper biceps tendon or cause a partial or complete tear. Symptoms may include a sudden, sharp pain, an audible popping or snapping, cramping of the biceps muscle, bruising, tenderness, and weakness.

For many, non-surgical treatment, including anti-inflammatory medication, rest, steroid injections and physical therapy, is a reasonable option. People with continued pain may require surgical intervention to cut or reattach the tendon.

CHRONIC SHOULDER INSTABILITY

The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body. The greater range of motion, however, can lead to instability. Instability occurs when the ball of the shoulder does not stay centered in the socket, as a result of injury or generalized laxity of tissues surrounding the shoulder. Symptoms include pain, repeated shoulder dislocations, and a persistent feeling of the shoulder being loose or unstable.

Chronic shoulder instability is usually treated with non-surgical methods first, including activity modification, anti-inflammatory medication, and physical therapy. Surgery may be necessary to repair torn or stretched ligaments to improve stability.

DISLOCATED SHOULDER

Because the shoulder is the body’s most mobile joint, it also makes it an easy joint to dislocate. The shoulder can be partially or completely dislocated out of the socket. Symptoms to look for include swelling, numbness, weakness and bruising. Sometimes dislocation may tear ligaments or tendons in the shoulder and damage nerves.

A dislocated shoulder should be reduced emergently and is usually treated with a period of immobilization or possible surgical repair if tendons or ligaments are torn.

ROTATOR CUFF TEARS

The rotator cuff keeps the arm in the shoulder socket. Wear and tear or an acute injury can cause a partial tear or complete tear of one or more of the rotator cuff tendons. The most common symptoms include pain at rest and at night, pain when lifting and lowering arms, and weakness when lifting or rotating your arm.

Early treatment can prevent your problems from getting worse. Non-surgical treatment includes, rest, activity modification, anti-inflammatory medication, strengthening exercises, physical therapy and steroid injections. If pain does not improve or you have a large tear or significant weakness, surgery to repair the torn rotator cuff may be recommended.

SHOULDER IMPINGEMENT/ROTATOR CUFF TENDINITIS

The rotator cuff is a common source of pain. Pain can be caused by irritated or damaged tendons; inflamed or swollen bursa; or pinching of the tendon and bursa between bones of the shoulder. The pain may be mild in the early stages. As the problem progresses, symptoms may include pain at night, loss of strength and motion, and difficulty performing overhead activities or reaching behind the back.

In most cases, initial treatment is non-surgical and may include rest, anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy or steroid injections. When non-surgical treatment is ineffective, either arthroscopic or open surgery may be needed to create more space for the rotator cuff.

SHOULDER ARTHRITIS

While there is no cure for arthritis, there are many treatment options to manage pain and stay active. The most common symptom of shoulder arthritis is pain, which is aggravated by activity and progressively worsens. Limited range of motion is another symptom, along with popping or grinding in the shoulder.

As with other forms of arthritis, initial treatment of shoulder arthritis is non-surgical, including modifying activities, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and steroid injections. Surgical treatment includes arthroscopy to clean out the shoulder joint and shoulder joint replacement.

SHOULDER INJURIES IN THE THROWING ATHLETE

Overhand throwing places high stress on the shoulder, particularly to the anatomy that keeps the shoulder stable. In throwing athletes, these high stresses are repeated many times and can lead to a wide range of overuse injuries. Although throwing injuries in the shoulder most commonly occur in baseball pitchers, they can be seen in any athlete who participates in sports that require overhand motions, such as tennis, volleyball, and some track and field events.

In many cases, the initial treatment for a throwing injury is non-surgical and may include activity modification, ice, anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, and cortisone injection. If surgery is needed, most throwing injuries can be treated with arthroscopic surgery.

SHOULDER SEPARATION

A shoulder separation involves the joint where the collarbone meets the highest part of the shoulder. The injury usually results from a fall directly onto the shoulder and can range from a mild to severe separation, completely tearing ligaments and putting the joint noticeably out of position.

Non-surgical treatments such as a sling, cold packs, and medications can help manage the pain. If the deformity is severe or if shoulder pain continues, surgery may be considered.