What are shoulder injuries?
Shoulder injuries occur in your shoulder joint, which connects your torso to your upper arm. The joint is made up of bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. Shoulder injuries are common, but you don’t have to live with the pain they often cause.
What are the symptoms of shoulder injuries?
Common symptoms you could experience with shoulder injuries include:
- Sharp pain
- Dull aching
- Burning
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Instability
- Warmth
- Bruising
- Redness
- Weakness
- Decreased range of motion
If your pain is severe or doesn’t go away on its own, see the Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation Centers experts for an evaluation.
What are common shoulder injuries?
Common shoulder injuries include:
- Sprains
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Arthritis
- Impingement
- Fractures
- Age-related wear and tear
- Osteoporosis
- Dislocations
- Muscle injuries
- Tendinitis
- Bursitis
You could injure your shoulder lifting something heavy, playing sports, getting injured at work, falling down, or being in a car accident.
How does my provider diagnose shoulder injuries?
To determine which type of shoulder injury you have and determine the most effective treatment, specialists at Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation Centers discuss your symptoms and medical history with you.
They check your vital signs, complete a physical exam, and often recommend that you undergo specific diagnostic tests. Examples include: blood tests, MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, or other imaging procedures.
What are common treatments for shoulder injuries?
Depending on the type of shoulder injury that you have, your Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation Centers provider could recommend one or more of the following treatments:
Home care
Try over-the-counter pain relievers, rest your shoulder joint, wear a sling, or use hot or cold packs to reduce shoulder pain at home.
Medications
Oral medications can reduce tissue deterioration, inflammation, and pain associated with shoulder injuries.
Physical therapy
Working with a physical therapist can strengthen affected tissues in and around your shoulder joint to speed up healing and alleviate shoulder discomfort.
Injections
Steroid, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and stem cell injections help reduce inflammation, enhance healing, and stimulate your body’s ability to regenerate new cells.
Surgery
Suppose you have a severe shoulder injury or one that doesn’t heal on its own. In that case, the experts at Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation Centers may recommend shoulder surgery to remove, repair, or replace damaged tissues.
To learn more about treatments for shoulder injuries at Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation Centers, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.