Shoulder Pain

From reaching for the top shelf to paddling while whitewater kayaking, your shoulders are complex joints that allow for a wide range of motion in your arms. However, this advantage of mobility comes with an abundance for potential injuries.

Some of the most common causes of shoulder pain include:

• Arthritis
• Tendonitis
• Bursitis
• Rotator Cuff Injury
• Shoulder Impingement
• Shoulder Instability
• Shoulder Fractures

A rotator cuff tear is a common shoulder injury that may occur suddenly, or happen gradually over time. The rotator cuff is a group of four tendons that attach your upper arm bone to the shoulder blade and helps to lift and rotate your arm. A rotator cuff injury involves a full or partial tear to one of these tendons.

Rotator cuff injuries can be acute or degenerative:

Acute Tear
This happens suddenly, from a fall or lifting something heavy with a jerking motion. Sometimes, acute rotator cuff tears happen along with other shoulder injuries, such as a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.

Degenerative Tear
These injuries happen over time and are often the result of repetitive motions such as weightlifting, throwing, painting, and rowing. Degenerative tears can also become more common with age as the blood supply to your shoulder decreases.

First, your physician at Winchester Orthopaedic Associates performs a physical exam and carefully inspects your affected shoulder. They may require diagnostic tests, such as a CT scan or MRI. Once they determine the cause of your shoulder pain, they discuss the best plan for treatment. If your condition is mild, this may include medication, home care, and physical therapy.

If your condition is severe or doesn’t improve with other treatments, they may recommend shoulder surgery.

The skilled team at Winchester Orthopaedic Associates practices the most advanced procedures, such as:

• Minimally Invasive Shoulder Surgery
• Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair
• Shoulder Arthroscopy
• Total Shoulder Replacement Surgery
• Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement Surgery

If you’re suffering from shoulder pain and need treatment from a skilled medical team, call Winchester Orthopaedic Associates or book an appointment online today.