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Shoulder Pain

The shoulder joint consists of three bones: the humerus, scapular, and clavicle. Issues with one or more of these bones, or with the ligaments and muscles surrounding the shoulder joint can lead to pain.

Potential Causes of Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain may be caused by an injury or illness:

Avascular necrosis
Brachial plexus injury
Broken arm
Broken collarbone
Bursitis
Cervical radiculopathy
Dislocated shoulder
Frozen shoulder
Heart attack
Impingement

Male patient with shoulder pain being evaluated by female healthcare professional

Osteoarthritis
Polymyalgia rheumatica
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rotator cuff injury
Septic arthritis
Sprains
Tendinitis
Tendon rupture
Thoracic outlet syndrome
Torn cartilage

Symptoms of Shoulder Pain

Patients should seek medical attention if their pain is new, worsens, becomes severe, or is accompanied by the following symptoms:

Injury that leads to joint deformity
Inability to carry objects
Inability to raise or use the arm
Shoulder pain during rest or at night
Signs of an infection, such as fever, warmth, and skin redness
Swelling or significant bruising around the arm or joint
Abdominal pain
Other unexplained symptoms

Shoulder pain that lasts for more than a few days should be evaluated by a physician.

Diagnosing Shoulder Pain

During a physical exam, the physician will apply pressure to different parts of the shoulder to identify unusual tenderness or deformity.

The physician will also test the patient’s arm strength and shoulder range of motion. The patient’s neck, abdomen, and other areas of their body may also be examined to identify non-shoulder-related causes of pain.

In some cases, patients may need to undergo an X-ray to check for bone spurs and tears in tendons, ligaments, or muscles surrounding the shoulder joint.

Treatment for Shoulder Pain

Some cases of shoulder pain may be treated with rest. This will allow the inflammation or irritation to subside. However, patients should speak to their physician to find out how much rest is necessary and to avoid developing joint stiffness.

At Premier Urgent Care, patients experiencing shoulder pain may benefit from treatment with injections and pain management techniques.

Nerve blocks, epidural injections, piriformis injections, sacroiliac joint injections, and trigger point injections may provide significant pain relief for some patients. We encourage patients to speak to their physician to find out if they are a good candidate for joint and soft tissue injections.

Pain management techniques can also help alleviate shoulder pain through cold and heat therapy, gentle exercise, physical therapy, deep breathing exercises, massage, acupuncture, cognitive behavior therapy, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, yoga, music therapy, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication. Each patient will receive a customized pain management plan.

Advanced Treatment for Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain caused by severe injuries or illness, such as broken bones, torn muscles, and arthritis, may require advanced treatment that may include chiropractic adjustment, physical therapy, and even surgery. Premier Urgent Care supports patients needing a range of treatments. Staff is available to answer any questions about obtaining advanced treatment.