Shoulder Pain & Treatments
Common Causes of Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain can severely limit daily activity and diminish quality of life. The most common causes of shoulder pain are:
- Impingement due to overuse or repetitive motion with the shoulder in an awkward position
- Injuries such as rotator cuff tear, anterior shoulder instability, shoulder dislocation, or fracture
- Bursitis
- Posture or muscle imbalance problems
- Referred pain – such as problems in your neck causing pain in your shoulder
- Arthritis – less common
Getting to the Root Cause of Shoulder Pain
There are lots of possible causes for shoulder pain, and the problem may not always be in your shoulder. Therefore you must have a proper diagnosis in order to seek the right treatment for you.
- See your family doctor.
- Attend a shoulder pain seminar to learn about diagnosis and treatment methods.
- Your family doctor may refer you to an orthopedic specialist, or you may make an appointment to see one of our orthopedic specialists directly.
Diagnostic Testing
Your family doctor or orthopedic specialist may use one or more of the following evaluation methods to arrive at a diagnosis.
- Physical examination
- X-ray
- MRI
- Arthrogram – an X-ray with dye injected into the joint
- Blood test for rheumatoid arthritis
- Electromyogram – if the cause is believed to be in the neck
Treatment Options
Typically, your doctor may recommend one of the following treatments.
- Medication – typically oral anti-inflammatories
- Rest or activity modification – if the cause is overuse
- Cortisone injections
- Physical or occupational therapy – MyMichigan Health offers comprehensive rehabilitation services at several convenient locations. Ask your doctor about getting a referral to our services.
- Arthroscopic surgery – a minimally invasive surgery involving small incisions and the use of a fiber-optic scope.
- Open rotator cuff repairs
- Shoulder replacement – If your condition warrants a shoulder replacement, MyMichigan offers a special surgical program called Joint Camp that provides faster recovery, higher patient satisfaction, lower risk of infection and improved outcomes, compared to traditional surgery. Joint Camp is available at our Medical Centers in Alma and Midland.
Learn More about Joint Camp
