Shoulder Pain
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Premier Orthopedics of Fort Worth
Board Certified Orthopedic Specialists & Orthopedic Surgeons located in Fort Worth, TX & Granbury, TX
As the most mobile joint in your body, your shoulder gives your arms and back the wide range of motion they need to carry out everyday tasks and more. But as with any complex joint, this impressive mobility also leaves your shoulder prone to instability, impingement, inflammation, and injury. Board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports-medicine specialist Kraig Pepper, DO, PA specializes in uncovering the root cause of shoulder pain and delivering targeted solutions. To learn more, call his Fort Worth, Texas office today or schedule an appointment online at any time.
Shoulder Pain Q & A
Why does my shoulder hurt?
If you’re experiencing persistent shoulder pain, chances are the underlying cause of your discomfort falls into one of the following categories:
Tendon tears
An acute injury or age-related degenerative changes can cause the tendons in your shoulder to split or tear, leading to chronic joint pain. Rotator-cuff injuries are among the most common tendon problems.
Impingement
This painful problem occurs when the top of your shoulder blade puts pressure on the underlying soft tissues whenever you lift your arm. Left untreated, shoulder impingement can lead to tendonitis or bursitis.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis, which occurs when the tendon that connects muscle to bone in your shoulder joint is worn down, is typically the result of excessive shoulder activity or arthritis.
Bursitis
This painful problem happens when the fluid-filled sacs, or bursae, that help cushion the bones in your shoulder joint become inflamed. People with rotator-cuff injuries or tendonitis are more likely to develop bursitis.
Bone fracture
Whether it’s the result if a simple slip-and-fall or some other type of accident, a fractured collarbone can cause extreme pain and swelling in your shoulder.
What else might make my shoulder hurt?
Although most forms of shoulder pain are caused by a problem that directly affects the joint itself, chronic shoulder discomfort can also point to an underlying nerve problem in your neck.
Eight of the nerves that are rooted in your cervical spine extend down into your shoulders; if a neck injury compresses or irritates any of these nerves, it can cause radiating pain that can affect your shoulder more than your neck.
Shoulder pain that originates in your neck can be mild or severe, constant or sporadic, and can be accompanied by a noticeable tingling sensation.
How is shoulder pain treated?
Because Dr. Pepper knows that persistent shoulder pain can make your life difficult, he takes a multifaceted approach to get to the root of your pain and minimize the impact it has on daily activities.
While many shoulder issues can be treated effectively by taking anti-inflammatory pain relievers, changing patterns of use, and performing targeted physical-therapy exercises, persistent shoulder problems that resist conservative treatment could ultimately require surgery to repair a tear, decompress a nerve, or restore stability.
To find out how Dr. Pepper can help you put an end to shoulder pain for good, call today or schedule an appointment online at any time.
