Shoulder pain

C. Sabin Cranford, MD, is on staff at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center.

Question:  What are some of the common causes of shoulder pain?

Answer:  Shoulder pain is a common complaint that many people experience at some point in their lives.  The cause of the symptoms usually varies by patient age, daily activities (either recreational or work-related) and any history of an accident or trauma.  Some of the most common diagnoses are tendonitis (inflammation) of the rotator cuff or biceps tendon, rotator cuff tears, cartilage tears inside the joint, a frozen shoulder, and arthritis of either the shoulder joint or the AC joint (where the collar bone meets the shoulder).  People with recent trauma may also have fractures, dislocations, and/or ligament and tendon tears.  Other times, shoulder pain may result from a condition outside the shoulder, such as a compression of nerves coming from the neck. 

Question:  How will your doctor diagnose what is wrong with your shoulder?

Answer:  Oftentimes, an accurate history of your symptoms combined with a physical exam of your shoulder, will guide your doctor to make a diagnosis.  Regular x-rays are also routinely used.  If it is still unknown what is causing your shoulder pain, or you just haven’t gotten better, an MRI is then ordered to take a better look at the soft tissues (cartilage and tendons) of your shoulder. 

Question:  What are some of the treatments for shoulder pain?

Answer:  Depending on the exact cause of your symptoms, some simple things you can do on your own may provide relief.  For example, icing your shoulder (15 minutes on followed by 15 minutes off, and repeat) can be done at the end of a work day or after any activities or exercises that you have done that have bothered your shoulder.  This can be combined with a mild anti-inflammatory medication, such as Ibuprofen.  (Note: always check with your doctor before taking any medication)  If you continue to have symptoms, your doctor may prescribe physical therapy, order an MRI, or refer you to a specialist, such as an orthopedic surgeon.  The orthopedist, depending on his diagnosis, may then recommend a steroid injection into or around the shoulder, more physical therapy, or surgery.  Advances in surgical techniques have allowed most surgery of the shoulder to be minimally invasive with the use of a camera and microscopic instruments.  More advanced arthritic conditions may require a shoulder replacement.