When should you see a doctor for shoulder pain?

The shoulder is one of the most complicated and constantly used joints in the body.

The shoulder is held together by the clavicle (collar bone) the scapula (shoulder blade) and the humerus (arm bone) together with a lot of connective tissue, muscles, and ligaments.

Because the shoulder is used so often, it’s a relatively easy part of the body for pain and discomfort to appear.

According to the doctors at the Plano Orthopedic Sports Medicine & Spine Center, who treat shoulder pain in Plano TX, the principal causes of shoulder pain can be narrowed down to:

Rotator Cuff Problems
Either tendonitis in the shoulders, inflammation of the bursa (a fluid-filled space that functions as a gliding force to reduce friction between moving tissues) or a rotator cuff tear where the tendons actually separate from the bone.

Frozen Shoulder
Where the patient develops stiffness, pain, and loss of mobility in the shoulder

Calcific Tendonitis
Where calcium crystals lodge into the tendons of the shoulder

Problems with the front of the shoulder
Both bicep tendonitis and also bicep ruptures can occur. Patients also develop SLAP tears, a specific type of tear affecting the labrum in the shoulder.

Top of the Shoulder
Normally, this is caused by the AC joint having problems such as arthritis or tears.

All Over Shoulder Pain
Loose ligaments that seem unstable and make you feel like a joint is going to come undone, or an actual shoulder dislocation, where the arm becomes dislocated from the scapula.

When to see a doctor?

See a doctor if:

1. You have an inability to carry objects or lose the ability to use your arm and shoulder.

2. You develop a deformity caused by an injury or accident

3. You develop shoulder pain while sleeping or resting

4. You experience shoulder pain that lasts more than several days

5. You can’t raise your arm, or doing so causes a lot of pain.

6. You develop significant swelling

7. Any sign of infection such as severe redness or warmth.

The doctors at the Plano Orthopedic Sports Medicine & Spine Center who treat shoulder pain in Plano TX, week in and week out, remind you that you don’t have to live in pain if you are experiencing shoulder pain.

Call POSMC today!

To schedule an appointment with one our specialists, contact our scheduling department at 972-250-5700 or request an appointment online.

POSMC is a full-service medical facility specializing in the evaluation and treatment of orthopedic injuries. The practice is led by a group of 12 board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons and a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician. Contact us today!