Shoulder Pain
Shoulder Pain
Our experienced team provides comprehensive shoulder treatments in Tucson, AZ. Understand your pain and learn when it might be time to book an appointment with our shoulder pain assessment.
What Is Shoulder Pain?
The shoulder is a complex joint composed of several interconnected muscles, ligaments, tendons, fluid-filled sacs and bones that work together in a small space to allow a wide range of arm movements, such as scratching your back, reaching an item on a shelf or pitching a baseball. These movements make the shoulder susceptible to injury or overuse, resulting in pain. Shoulder pain may be acute or chronic, varying in intensity and require medical diagnosis and treatment depending on the underlying cause.
What Does Shoulder Pain Feel Like?
Shoulder pain often feels like soreness or discomfort, especially after lifting your arms, such as during cleaning, painting or playing sports. Even without a specific injury, you may experience pain. The shoulder's rotator cuff, composed of four muscles surrounding the arm bone, stabilizes the joint during arm movements. When the supraspinatus muscle (a part of the rotator cuff) becomes inflamed, it can cause pain, particularly in the front or outside of the shoulder. This pain is typically worse when lifting your arm or reaching overhead. Nighttime pain is also common and may be severe enough to wake you or worsen when lying on the affected side.
When Should I Worry About Shoulder Pain?
If you experience sudden arm pain with other symptoms like shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain or tightness, it could be a sign of a heart attack. It is important to call 911 and seek medical attention immediately. If you are experiencing excruciating pain down your arm or chest, tingling and numbness in the arm and hand, or feeling nauseated or clammy, then you should seek medical treatment immediately.
If you have had pain for more than two weeks, it is important to seek advice from a licensed professional. Our providers are trained in the treatment of shoulder pain, conditions, and symptoms. Our experienced doctors, therapists and providers may be able to help pinpoint where your pain is coming from and create a treatment plan that will help you move better with less pain.
What Causes Shoulder Pain?
Most shoulder pain results from problems such as instability, arthritis and fractures. Other much less common causes of shoulder pain are tumors, infection and nerve-related problems. The following are shoulder symptoms and possible conditions that cause them:
- Persistent pain and stiffness lasting months or years: Frozen shoulder, arthritis (osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis)
- Pain that is often worse while using your arm or shoulder: Tendonitis, bursitis, impingement
- Tingling, numb, weak arm, feels like the shoulder is clicking or locking: Shoulder instability, sometimes because of hypermobility
- Sudden, awful pain, inability or difficulty moving your arm, sometimes changes shape: Dislocated shoulder, broken bone (such as a broken arm or broken collarbone), torn or ruptured tendon
- Pain on top of the shoulder (where the collarbone and shoulder joint meet): Problems in the acromioclavicular joint, like dislocation or stretched or torn ligaments
Other contributing factors may include poor posture, prolonged physical activity or previous injuries to the shoulder joint
When to See Your Doctor for Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain is typically not life-threatening. The symptoms improve within six months in about 50% of people with shoulder pain. However, it is still a good idea to consult with a doctor if:
- The shoulder joint feels unstable or was recently dislocated
- The shoulder is red, warm or swollen
- The shoulder is injured following an accident
- numbness or signs of paralysis occur
- The arm is very weak, or you cannot move it properly
- The pain persists or worsens over time
If left untreated, shoulder pain could lead to further complications, including joint stiffness or long-term mobility issues.
What Can I Do to Relieve My Shoulder Pain?
Since each individual experiences shoulder pain differently, it is important to be evaluated by a licensed professional before attempting any exercise program on your own. If you are not having any of these symptoms, you might find some relief with the following activities:
- Avoid sitting in a slumped position for long periods of time. This can cause extra stress to the shoulders and neck.
- Limit repetitive, overhead lifting with heavy objects.
- Avoid long periods of inactivity. General activity, like walking or light shoulder stretches, can improve blood flow to the shoulder.
- Slowly glide the arm up the wall within pain-free ranges three to five times throughout the day.
- Try ice or heat for immediate pain control if symptoms get too uncomfortable.
Restore Shoulder Movement and Reduce Pain
Does it hurt to swing a tennis racket or a golf club? Has shoulder pain taken the fun out of gardening? Carondelet Health Network and Carondelet Medical Group provides comprehensive care for shoulders that hurt, from diagnosis of the problem to treatment and rehabilitation to help you regain a fuller range of function. Orthopedic doctors, nurses and other specialists work together closely as a team to provide these patient care services:
- Advanced diagnostic imaging to assess the root cause of shoulder stiffness or inflammation
- Medical and surgical treatments customized for each patient for conditions ranging from fractures and dislocations to bursitis and tendonitis
- Minimally invasive surgical procedures and shoulder replacement procedures for faster recovery
- A complete rehabilitation program to facilitate movement and recovery
- Support from our team of professionals who will guide you through your shoulder care journey from the very beginning to treatment and recovery
We customize your care plan. Pain management consultation and physical therapy may address your shoulder problem, but if surgery is needed, Carondelet Health Network and Carondelet Medical Group offer minimally invasive surgery options. All-inclusive care also embraces physical therapy, pain management and rehabilitation services.