Targeted Solutions for Alleviating Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is a common orthopedic problem; without prompt treatment, it can turn into a chronic pain condition. Board-certified orthopedic surgeon Obi Osuji, MD, FAAOS, and his team at Signature Orthopedics specialize in treatments that ease your pain and help you regain a strong, healthy shoulder joint. Your treatment begins with conservative medical care, but Dr. Osuji has extensive experience performing shoulder surgery, including total joint replacements when needed. Don’t wait to get help for ongoing shoulder pain. Call the Signature Orthopedics office in Mesquite, Texas, today or connect online to request an appointment.

Shoulder Pain Q&A

Shoulder pain often begins in the rotator cuff, a group of four muscles and their tendons. These tissues attach to your shoulder blade and the top of your arm bone, creating a cufflike structure around the arm and shoulder joint.

The rotator cuff stabilizes the joint and controls arm movement. Holding the joint together while allowing the arm’s full range of motion causes significant tissue stress. Everyday activities put a lot of pressure on the rotator cuff. The stress increases if you engage in activities requiring overhead arm movement.

The most common causes of shoulder pain include:

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rotator cuff tears
  • Biceps tendon tears
  • Shoulder dislocations
  • Rotator cuff tendinitis (inflamed tendons)
  • Labral tears (injury to the ring of cartilage around the joint)
  • Frozen shoulder (inner layer of the rotator cuff becomes stiff and tight)
  • Shoulder impingement syndrome (arm and shoulder bones rub the rotator cuff)

You can also have pain in your shoulder if you have a spinal condition pinching the nerves in your neck.

The problems causing your shoulder pain usually come with other symptoms, including:

  • Arm weakness
  • Difficulty lifting your arm
  • Pain when using your arm
  • Joint instability
  • Muscles spasms
  • Joint clicking
  • Limited range of motion
  • Loss of movement
  • Bruising and swelling

Shoulder pain should never be ignored. The longer a shoulder problem goes untreated, the higher your chances of developing chronic instability.

Dr. Osuji and the Signature Orthopedics team begin with conservative treatments targeting the cause of your pain. You could need:

  • Anti-inflammatory medication
  • Shoulder immobilization
  • Steroid injections
  • Physical therapy
  • Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy

Fractures and tears in the ligaments, tendons, or labrum might need immediate surgery. Otherwise, you might need minimally invasive surgery if your pain doesn’t improve with conservative therapies.

Dr. Osuji could recommend a total shoulder replacement if you’ve suffered a severe fracture, have advanced shoulder arthritis, or developed avascular necrosis. This condition occurs when the blood supply to the bone is disrupted.

Shoulder joint replacements are highly technical, and there are several types. You can depend on Dr. Osuji’s expertise to recommend the appropriate replacement procedure and successfully implant a new shoulder joint. The procedure will ease your pain and restore your movement.

Request an appointment online today or call Signature Orthopedics to get relief for your shoulder pain.