Severe Shoulder
Pain

Table of Contents

The shoulder joint carries the distinction of being the most mobile joint in your body, but that mobility has a price: It can lead to severe shoulder pain, instability, and inflammation. Fortunately, world-renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Paul Hovis specializes in uncovering the root cause of severe shoulder pain. He practices at the Arizona Center for Hand Surgery, with locations in Phoenix, the Northwest Valley, and Mesa, Arizona. If you have severe shoulder pain, contact the Arizona Center for Hand Surgery to book a consultation today.

What are common causes of shoulder pain?

Most shoulder problems fall into four major categories, including tendon inflammation or injury, instability, arthritis, and broken bones. Common shoulder problems include:

Tendon tears

The splitting or tearing of tendons in your shoulder can be the result of an acute injury or come from the kind of degenerative changes associated with aging. Rotator cuff injuries are among the most common tendon problems.

Impingement

This problem occurs when the top of your shoulder blade puts pressure on the underlying soft tissues whenever you lift your arm away from your body. Over time, shoulder impingement can lead to bursitis or tendonitis.

Bursitis

This painful condition occurs when the fluid-filled sacs, or bursae, that help cushion the bones of your shoulder joint become inflamed. Bursitis often occurs alongside rotator cuff injuries or tendonitis.

Tendonitis

Usually the result of the wearing down of the tendon that connects muscle to bone in your shoulder joint, this condition may be brought on by excessive shoulder activity or arthritis. Fractured collarbone. Whether it happens through a fall or another type of trauma, a broken collarbone can cause severe pain and swelling in your shoulder.

How is shoulder pain treated?

An accurate diagnosis to identify the cause of your shoulder pain should be a priority, especially because successful treatment of severe shoulder pain depends on identifying its underlying cause. A shoulder specialist can help provide an accurate diagnosis of your shoulder pain, and can also offer innovative treatments to allow you to return to your regular routine as quickly as possible.

While many shoulder issues can be effectively managed or treated with physical therapy, chiropractic care, massage therapy, acupuncture, or medication, shoulder pain that’s resistant, persistent, or difficult to diagnose may warrant a thorough evaluation with a shoulder specialist like Dr. Hovis, who successfully treats patients from around the world.

Why get a second opinion on severe shoulder pain?

Difficult-to-diagnose or ill-defined shoulder pain can be very frustrating for patient and physician alike. Getting a second opinion on the diagnosis or treatment of a persistent shoulder condition may reveal the true cause of the problem, helping you avoid further damage or failed shoulder surgery.

Shoulder pain that may be difficult to diagnose is sometimes related to the suprascapular nerve and the complex network of nerves that extend from it called the brachial plexus. These nerves are particularly susceptible to injury and dysfunction brought on by stretching and compression.

When suprascapular nerve pain is accompanied by an unstable shoulder, rotator cuff tear, or other injury, Dr. Hovis can perform arthroscopic surgery to decompress the nerve.

If you suffer from severe shoulder pain, contact the Arizona Center for Hand to Shoulder Surgery to schedule an in-person or remote consultation with Dr. Hovis today.

learn about our amazing team of medical professionals. Our team consists of orthopedists, hand specialist, shoulder specialist, and sports medicine doctors. click the link and find the right provider for you.

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5 common types of arthritis

types of Arthritis & Symptoms

Types of Arthritis Arthritis is defined as the tenderness, stiffness,  and/or swelling in at least one of your joints. Studies show that arthritis can develop