Shoulder
If you’re suffering from shoulder pain or a shoulder injury, learn how Dr. Jason Hurst or Dr. AJ Julka and JIS Orthopedics can help you get back to living your life without limits. To schedule a consultation, click the button below!
Our Shoulder Specialists
What Our Patients Say
“They took time to explain my shoulder pain and the path of treatment. My X-ray technician was friendly and so efficient. Highly recommend.” — Tee R.
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Shoulder Pain in Columbus & New Albany, Ohio
The shoulder is a complex mobile joint used in almost all activities of daily living. The shoulder aids in getting your hand into position for tasks such as lifting, typing, and performing self-care. The inherent mobility of the shoulder joint makes it susceptible to injuries such as dislocation and tendon injuries.
If you are experiencing pain in your shoulder, schedule an appointment with JIS Orthopedics today. We have offices conveniently located in New Albany and St. Clairsville, OH. Our shoulder specialists look forward to answering any questions you may have.
Common Causes of Shoulder Pain
There could be several reasons why you might be experiencing shoulder pain. Some of the common causes are listed below.
- Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Separation: Also known as shoulder separation, this condition occurs when the clavicle separates from the scapula. Most cases happen when there is a fall directly on the point of the shoulder.
- Arthritis: Shoulder arthritis is inflammation in the shoulder joint. It causes joint pain and stiffness. There could be several causes of arthritis in the shoulder.
- Biceps Tendinopathy: The bicep tendon joins in the shoulder. Repetitive lifting activities can injure the tendon and cause pain and tenderness in the front of the shoulder.
- Fracture: A shoulder fracture will cause severe pain and difficulties with mobility. Usually, a fracture will happen as a result of a fall, automobile accident, sports injury, or any other type of trauma.
- Frozen shoulder: This condition is also known as adhesive capsulitis. It occurs when the connective tissue surrounding the shoulder joint thickens and tightens. A frozen shoulder can cause pain and stiffness.
- Labral Tear: The labrum is a ring of cartilage that surrounds the shoulder socket to keep the joint in place. It’s possible to tear it through injury, or it may happen as part of the aging process.
- Rotator Cuff Tear: Tears to the rotator cuff tendons can cause pain and weakness in the arm. Tendon tears often occur through wear and tear with repetitive movements.
- Shoulder Dislocation: This shoulder injury occurs when your upper arm bone comes out of the cup-shaped socket in your shoulder blade. Your shoulder can dislocate forward, backward, or downward. It usually occurs when force is applied to the shoulder.
- Shoulder Impingement/Bursitis: The bursa is a fluid-filled sac that protects the joint. If the bursa becomes inflamed through injury, it can cause swelling, making it more difficult for the tendons to move around the shoulder joint. This can cause impingement or difficulties with movement and pain.
- Shoulder Instability: This condition occurs when shoulder joint components become stretched, torn, or detached. The instability can cause a partial or complete shoulder dislocation.
When to See a Doctor About Your Shoulder Pain
You should seek immediate medical attention from a doctor if your shoulder pain is accompanied by tightness in your chest or difficulty breathing. These symptoms could indicate that you are experiencing a heart attack.
You should also seek immediate medical care if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Joint deformity
- Difficulties moving your arm away from your body
- Severe pain
- Sudden swelling
If you have other concerns about your shoulder discomfort, contact our highly trained specialists at JIS Orthopedics.
Shoulder Pain Diagnosis
In order to get an accurate shoulder pain diagnosis, you should see an orthopedic surgeon. Your orthopedic surgeon will start your diagnosis with a physical exam.
They will look for any structural problems and test your shoulder strength and range of motion. The orthopedic surgeon may also order the following tests to identify your shoulder problem.
- X-rays
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
- CT scan
- Electromyography (EMG)
- Arthroscopy
Shoulder Pain Treatments
The best treatment for your shoulder pain will be determined by the problems you are experiencing. These treatments may include both non-surgical or surgical means to address your discomfort.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options to Relieve Shoulder Pain
Most shoulder problems can be resolved without the use of surgery. The following non-surgical treatments may be used to treat shoulder pain.
- Gel (Viscosupplementation) Injections: These injections are made from hyaluronic acid and are used to replace the synovial fluid that could be lost through arthritis.
- Physical Therapy: Most conditions will benefit from some form of physical therapy. It can be used to strengthen the shoulder and improve your range of motion.
- Steroid injections: These are used to reduce inflammation. Steroid injections can be used for many shoulder conditions.
Shoulder Pain Surgical Treatment Options
When non-surgical treatments cannot resolve your shoulder pain, surgical treatments can be used. The following surgical treatment options are available to help relieve shoulder discomfort.
- Arthroscopic Joint Preservation Surgery: Sometimes a few cuts to the bone can be made to help realign the joint.
- Bicep Tenodesis: There are two types of bicep tenodesis surgery — soft tissue and bone procedures with hardware fixation. Both types fix the bicep tendon to the humerus bone.
- Distal Clavicle Resection: This procedure involves removing the end of the clavicle at the acromioclavicular joint in the shoulder. It is used to help reduce pain and increase the range of motion that might be lost because of arthritis or impingement.
- Fracture Treatment: The surgeon may use plates, screws, or pins to fix fractured bones together while they heal.
- Shoulder Joint Replacement: Shoulder replacement can be either total or partial, where the ball and the socket are replaced or just the ball.
- Labral Repair: The labrum can be reattached to the rim of the socket through minimally invasive surgery.
- Rotator Cuff Repair: Rotator cuff repair can be done with open surgery or minimally invasive surgery. It involves repairing the damaged muscles and tendons that make up the rotator cuff.
- Subacromial Decompression: This procedure involves decompressing the subacromial space by removing bone spurs and soft tissue. The procedure is minimally invasive.
- Tendon Repair: Tendon repair may be done with open surgery or minimally invasive surgery. The procedure is usually used to reattach the tendon to the humerus head.
Contact Our Shoulder Specialists Today
Whether your injury is limiting your daily activities or is related to a sports injury, our orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine experts are ready to help you on your road to recovery.
Schedule an appointment with JIS Orthopedics today. We have offices conveniently located in New Albany and St. Clairsville, OH. Our specialists look forward to doing all they can to help you find relief from your shoulder pain.
Live Without Limits Today!
If you’re suffering from shoulder pain or a shoulder injury, learn how Dr. Jason Hurst or Dr. AJ Julka and JIS Orthopedics can help you get back to living your life without limits. To schedule a consultation, click the button below!
MEET OUR SHOULDER SPECIALISTS
Dr. Adolph Lombardi Jr.
Hip, Knee
Dr. Keith Berend
Hip, Knee
Dr. Michael Morris
Hip, Knee
Dr. Jason Hurst
Knee, Shoulder
Dr. David Crawford
Hip, Knee
Dr. AJ Julka
Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, Hand
Dr. Zackary Byrd
Hip, Knee
Dr. Nicholas Walla
Sports Medicine
