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Shoulder Pain: An Overview of Common Causes and Symptoms

The shoulder is a ball and socket joint that is comprised of the top part of the arm bone (the humerus) that forms a joint with the shoulder blade (scapula). It is an extremely mobile joint and is susceptible to injury and degeneration. The most common causes of shoulder pain include:

• Osteoarthritis, which occurs when cartilage degenerates, leading to pain, inflammation, and the development of bone spurs. It is also known as degenerative joint disease.

• Bursitis, the inflammation of the bursa (the fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between the bones, tendons, and muscles near the joints);

• Rotator Cuff Tendonitis, inflammation of the tendons of the shoulder that often occurs as the result of a sports-related injury; and

• Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis), which is characterized by pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint.

When pain lasts more than a few days, it’s important to seek medical treatment. Other symptoms that require medical attention include the inability to raise the arm; swelling or bruising around the joint; visible deformity of the joint; and restriction in the movement or function of the arm.

Medical Care for Shoulder Pain: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

A Physiatrist is a medical doctor that specializes in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R). This type of medical care is particularly relevant in the treatment of shoulder pain because it focuses on the nerves, muscles, and bones of the body—and the ways that injury or illness can affect normal functioning and movement and/or cause pain.

Physiatrists take a non-surgical approach to increasing mobility and alleviating pain. For shoulder pain, this conservative approach would most likely begin with a program of physical therapy. When physical therapy is ineffective or cannot be used due to pain, a physiatrist will occasionally use minimally invasive procedures such as Joint Injections (more on this below). A recommendation for shoulder surgery is always a last resort and is only prescribed when absolutely necessary.

Joint Injections for Shoulder Pain: Reducing Inflammation and Pain

The goal of medical care for many conditions at our Red Bank, NJ office is to help patients manage pain and rehabilitate without surgery or excessive drug use. Joint injections are one aspect of this overall objective. Joint injections for shoulder pain involve the injection of a corticosteroid and/or anesthetic in the shoulder joint. This process can provide long-lasting pain relief so that patients can take advantage of physical therapy and other rehabilitation practices. For patients with Bursitis, injections may be administered directly in the bursa near the shoulder joint for improved mobility and pain relief.

At Monmouth Pain and Rehabilitation, Joint Injections and Bursa Injections are performed with the guidance of Ultrasound imaging. This technique allows our doctors to view the musculoskeletal system in real time, thereby ensuring the precision, accuracy, and effectiveness of such injections.

If you are interested in learning more about pain management and rehabilitation for shoulder pain in Monmouth County, please contact our Red Bank, NJ office.