Shoulder Pain/Rotator Cuff Pain

Not only are the shoulders a complex joint, they help us to enjoy a wide range of motion. Unfortunately, this is both good and bad. Our shoulders allow us to throw, wave hi, brush our hair, swivel our arms, and more. Since we use our shoulders for just about every motion during the day – driving to work, typing, carrying bags, etc. – there is a great opportunity for both acute injury and chronic medical conditions that lead to pain. When there’s pain, there’s also reduced quality of life, especially when the shoulders are concerned. However, the good news is that there are a wide range of treatment options that the Nevada Advanced Pain Specialists in the Reno, Sparks and Carson City areas perform with the goal to provide immediate and long-lasting shoulder pain relief. 

What is Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain is any pain that is felt in or around the shoulder joint. Because we use, and overuse, our shoulder joint for performing daily activities, there is a greater risk of injury or damage. 

While shoulder pain varies from person to person, as well as the underlying cause of pain, shoulder pain symptoms can include: 

• Weakness
• Soreness
• Aching
• Throbbing
• Stiffness
• Popping

These symptoms can occur while in motion or at rest. 

Additional symptoms of shoulder pain that point to a traumatic injury and require immediate attention from a healthcare provider include: 

• Sudden pain
• Swelling and bruising
• Limited range of motion
• Sharp or stabbing pain
• Pain that doesn’t respond to at-home care methods (ice, medication, etc.) and continues to get worse
• Pain that keeps you from falling asleep or wakes you up while sleeping

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

There are many different causes that could lead to shoulder pain, which can include trauma or health conditions. In addition to pain in the shoulder, shoulder pain could also lead to referred pain in other areas of the body, including the neck, low back and hip. The most common causes of shoulder pain include: 

• Arthritis: osteoarthritis (a degenerative joint disease) and rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune and inflammatory disease) lead to the breakdown of healthy tissues and cells within the joint. When this happens, the bones of the joint rub against each other, which can cause significant pain. 
• Rotator cuff: the rotator cuff is made up of the muscles and tendons around the shoulder joint that create the shoulder’s range of motion, function and strength. If any part of the rotator cuff is injured or repeatedly overused, this could lead to pain. 
• Frozen shoulder: also known as adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder occurs when the connective tissue enclosing the joint thickens and tightens, which leads to stiffness and pain 
• Bursitis: this condition happens when the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that cushions joints, becomes inflamed. It can be caused by injury, overuse, or infection. 
• Fractures: a broken bone can lead to both pain and limited mobility. Fractures most often happen as a result of an injury. 
• Tendonitis: this condition happens when inflammation pinches or traps the tendon against bones. Pain is most often felt when lifting or twisting the arm. 
• Shoulder impingement syndrome: also known as rotator cuff tendonitis, this condition happens when the top outer edge of the shoulder blade pinches the rotator cuff beneath it. It causes pain, especially when the arm is moved. 

What Treatments Help Shoulder Pain?

The best way to determine the most effective treatment for your specific cause of shoulder pain is to receive a diagnosis from a trained pain management specialist. Performing a physical exam, learning more about your symptoms and taking imaging tests, such as X-rays of the shoulder joint, will help your provider recommend the best treatment for you. It’s important to partner with a provider who utilizes the most state-of-the-art and in-depth diagnostic tools as the shoulder joint is a complex joint and seemingly minor causes could be overlooked, which could lead to an ineffective treatment plan. 

The most common treatment methods for shoulder pain include: 

• RICE: rest, ice, compression and elevation help to provide relief by giving the shoulder a temporary “break” from use. Ice and heat therapies have also proven to work well for mild pain relief. 
• Pain medications: over-the-counter and prescription pain medications can allow the patient to experience relief while the underlying issue is addressed. Anti-inflammatory medications can also help to reduce inflammation and subsequent pain symptoms. 
• Physical therapy: strengthening the muscles around the shoulder joint can help to provide greater support for the joint itself, as well as increase a person’s range of motion. Physical therapy can also help avoid issues in the future with use and overuse of the shoulder joint because the person is better equipped to manage shoulder and arm movements. 
• Steroid injections: injecting a steroid medication into the shoulder joint can help reduce inflammation and pain, as well as increase mobility. This is a quick, out-patient procedure that is performed in the provider’s office. 
• Nerve blocks: a nerve block works by targeting the nerves that are believed to be causing pain and preventing the nerves from sending pain signals to the brain. This is an effective treatment option that provides the patient with relief so that they can comfortably take advantage of physical therapy and additional at-home methods. Nerve blocks are a quick and minimally-invasive treatment option that is performed right in the doctor’s office. 

Most often, a comprehensive approach to shoulder pain treatment affords patients with the best pain relief results. This is why it’s important to place your trust in an experienced pain management specialist who can properly diagnose and recommend the best treatment options for you to help you experience immediate pain relief as well long-term pain relief. 

Dealing with shoulder pain can be difficult, but treating it shouldn’t be. If you are suffering from shoulder pain that isn’t getting better, and might be keeping you up at night or preventing you from enjoying your favorite activities, we’d love to help you. Please schedule an appointment with the Nevada Advanced Pain Specialists in the Reno, Sparks and Carson City areas today. We look forward to reducing your pain symptoms and increasing your quality of life!