We rely on our shoulders for everyday tasks, such as pushing, pulling and lifting. It’s no surprise then that when shoulder pain strikes, it can be debilitating. Whether you’ve suffered a sports-related injury or normal wear and tear, shoulder pain can keep you from doing what you love most.
At Crystal Clinic, our orthopedic physicians treat a wide range of both common and complex shoulder problems, including these frequently seen conditions:
Arthritis of the shoulder,
which causes inflammation, pain and stiffness that is aggravated by activity and progressively worsens. One of the most common symptoms is limited range of motion.
Shoulder pain,
which can be caused by an acute injury, arthritis, tendon inflammation (bursitis or tendinitis), fractures, instability or shoulder impingement. Also referred to as swimmer’s shoulder, tennis shoulder or rotator cuff tendinitis, shoulder impingement is an inflammation of the tendons and muscles between the bones in the shoulder.
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis),
which causes pain, stiffness and progressive loss of motion in the shoulder. The dull or aching pain over the outer shoulder area is usually worse early on and when moving your arm.
Fractures or breaks in the bone,
which are caused by injuries or diseases such as osteoporosis or cancer. Another type is a stress fracture caused by overuse or repetitive motion.
Rotator cuff tears,
which are common causes of pain, grating or cracking sounds when moving your arm, limited arm movement and muscle weakness. Rotator cuff injuries may occur from lifting a heavy object or suffering a traumatic fall, but most develop over time due to the wear and tear that comes with aging.
Shoulder instability / dislocation,
which occurs when the upper arm bone comes out of the shoulder socket. This can occur from a sudden injury or overuse. In some people, shoulder instability can become a chronic problem.