Shoulder Pain Specialist
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Center For Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic Surgeons & Foot and Ankle Specialists located in Lubbock, TX
The shoulder is a complicated joint with lots of connective tissue, muscle, and bone coming together, giving you incredible arm mobility in all directions. But the shoulder’s mobility also makes it vulnerable to pain, instability, and impingement. If you suffer shoulder pain, contact the Center for Orthopedic Surgery and its expert team of doctors, including shoulder specialists Dr. Mark Scioli, Dr. J. Nathan Wilson, Dr. T. Bryan Smitherman, Dr. Jeff Headrick, and Dr. Jason Ramsey. Men and women in the area of Lubbock, Texas, should call the office or use the online booking agent to make an appointment and have shoulder pain diagnosed and treated.
Shoulder Pain Q & A
What are the common reasons for shoulder pain?
You may have shoulder pain due to joint degeneration from osteoarthritis. Other possible causes include:
- Inflammation or a tear of the tendons, connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone
- Instability, such as during a partial or complete dislocation
- Fracture
- Impingement, when the top of your shoulder blade compresses the underlying soft tissues
Nerve-related problems, tumors, and infection are less common reasons you might suffer shoulder pain.
What type of shoulder pain suggests I should see a doctor?
If you have a sudden onset of acute pain, especially following trauma of some sort, seek medical attention. Shoulder pain that is dull, achy, and chronic shouldn't be ignored, either. Frequently, shoulder pain due to issues such as tendinitis and osteoarthritis comes on gradually and worsens over time.
At first, you might find that over-the-counter medication and limit your daily activity keep your shoulder pain at bay. But, when shoulder pain interferes with daily life and can’t be resolved with home therapy, it’s time to seek treatment from the Center for Orthopedic Surgery. Other reasons to visit the office are when you experience:
- Numbness and tingling in your shoulder and arm
- Muscle spasms
- Limited range of motion
- Shoulder or arm weakness
How is shoulder pain diagnosed?
The doctors at the Center for Orthopedic Surgery do a thorough physical exam and review of your medical history in tracking down the cause of your shoulder pain. They may order imaging tests, including X-rays and MRIs, to evaluate the integrity of the joint. Arthroscopy, a surgical procedure, involves looking inside your joint with a fiber-optic camera. Arthroscopy gives the doctors a clearer picture of what's going on with the soft tissue of your joint so they can best determine the cause of your pain and develop the most effective treatment plan for you.
Is surgery the only way to treat shoulder pain?
Shoulder pain may be managed with medications, injections, movement modifications, rest, and physical therapy. But, when these interventions fail, the doctors at the Center for Orthopedic Surgery may recommend surgery.
Dislocations and some rotator cuff issues usually require surgery. Surgery may also remove scar tissue impeding your movement. It can effectively repair torn tissues and reconstruct degenerated joints, such as those that have broken down from arthritis.
