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About 16% of people worldwide experience shoulder pain at some point. The experienced medical specialists at Advanced Regional Center for Orthopedics & Podiatry understand that it’s frustrating to be unable to move your shoulder without pain. They create individualized solutions for every patient based on the root cause of the pain, from conservative treatments to surgery. Call the office in Altoona, State College, Ebensburg, Huntingdon or Bedford, or book an appointment online today.
What caused my shoulder pain?
With three bones, eight muscles, and many tendons and ligaments, your shoulder is the most movable joint in your body. But because your shoulder joint is so complex, it’s susceptible to injury and pain. Examples include:
Rotator cuff tear
Your rotator cuff includes muscles and tendons (the muscle-to-bone connection cords). Healthy rotator cuff tendons attach securely to the top of your shoulder. But a rotator cuff tear causes the tendon to disconnect from the bone.
Rotator cuff tears usually happen due to natural tissue breakdown with age. But they can also result from injuries.
Rotator cuff tendinitis
Rotator cuff tendinitis happens when the tendons in your shoulder become irritated and inflamed. That usually results from normal wear-and-tear or overuse of the shoulder, but it can also develop as a result of a sports injury.
Bursitis
Bursitis is inflammation in the bursa — the tiny sacs that help tendons, ligaments, and bones glide together smoothly. The most common causes of shoulder bursitis are repetitive movements of the shoulder. It frequently affects baseball players and other athletes.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a joint disease. Shoulder arthritis may occur due to natural joint changes over time or an old injury.
These are just a few causes of shoulder pain. Fractures, shoulder instability, and nerve damage are also possible causes.
Will shoulder pain stop if I quit using my shoulder?
Your shoulder pain might temporarily lessen if you don’t move it at all — but that’s no way to live long-term. If you quit using your shoulder completely, the tissues can atrophy and exacerbate the problem.
The Advanced Regional Center for Orthopedics & Podiatry team can get to the bottom of your shoulder pain and help you regain full use of your shoulder.
What is the best treatment for shoulder pain?
Your provider evaluates your shoulder through a gentle exam, range-of-motion tests, and diagnostic imaging. You may also need tests to assess nerve and muscle function.
They then prescribe a personalized recovery plan. Most plans include physical therapy, and you may need medication, a shoulder brace, or, in severe cases, surgery.
The skilled doctors at Advanced Regional Center for Orthopedics & Podiatry offer complete shoulder pain solutions in one place. Schedule an appointment online today or call the nearest office for help.