Shoulder Pain in Montgomery County, OH

The shoulder is a very complex part of the body. The elegant design of the shoulder joint allows for great range of motion but not much stability. As long as the parts of the shoulder joint are in good working order, the shoulder can move freely and painlessly. But shoulder pain can be an indicator that you need to see an orthopedist.

The shoulder is comprised of the clavicle (collarbone), scapula (shoulder blade), and humerus (upper arm bone), as well as many muscles, ligaments, and tendons. We utilize our shoulders for lifting, pushing, and pulling.

The shoulder is a common area for aches and pains, often the result of repetitive motion used in sports, at work, or during other activities. Some of the common symptoms of shoulder issues include pain, swelling, and stiffness. Shoulder pain may be isolated in the joint, or felt within the muscles and tendons that surround and support the joint. Typically, shoulder pain will intensify when the joint is used. Left untreated, this pain eventually will reduce flexibility and range of motion.

Shoulder Bursitis
This is a common cause of discomfort from inflamed tissue meant to protect your rotator cuff from the bones in your shoulder. Usually bursitis results in a soreness that keeps you up at night and becomes increasingly common as we age.
Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
This is a very common problem in shoulders identified by having pain when reaching up or behind. You may also feel weakness when using your arm. Repetitive activity and maturity will lead to this inflammation of the tendons themselves.
Rotator Cuff Tears
If you have pain and a significant weakness trying to raise your arm, you may have a rotator cuff tear. Once the tendons fail and tear away from the bone, you lose your ability to lift the arm well. This can be from an injury or develop over time from tendonitis.
Laberal Tears
Usually this is caused by an injury that dislocates or strains your shoulder. You will notice a deep pain in the socket and you may have a sharp pain deep in the shoulder while performing certain motions.
Instability
If you are suffering from shoulder instability, your shoulder feels like it may pop out in certain positions such as sleeping or dressing. This usually develops after a history of a dislocation of the shoulder from sports or other injury.
Impingement
Often caused from structures normally in your shoulder rubbing against the tendons and irritating them, impingement is identified from pain when reaching overhead or behind. Impingement can result from arthritis in the AC joint, inflamed ligaments, or a "bone spur." Usually a repetitive activity, lack of good range of motion, and weakness in the shoulder is the cause.
Frozen Shoulder
While not always painful, your shoulder will feel stiff, hence the name. Often there is no injury or obvious cause. This often occurs in middle-aged women without warning.
Arthritis
Although arthritis in shoulders is not as common as in other joints, the shoulder joint will wear out over time. The cartilage wears down and bones rub together. You may feel pain with occasional catching and/or grinding.