Shoulder Pain: Time to See and Orthopaedic Surgeon?
If you have been suffering from shoulder pain, you know what it feels like to struggle through basic tasks of daily life. From the time you get up in the morning until the time you lay your head down at night, you can’t make a move without physical discomfort in you shoulder. If shoulder pain has created inconvenience, loss of mobility and continued suffering, it might be time to see an orthopaedic surgeon.
There are many causes for shoulder pain. From acute trauma to overuse injuries, the shoulder joint is susceptible to a variety of issues. Pulling, pushing, lifting and carrying can become difficult activities. Pain can range from mild discomfort to excruciating. Does your level of shoulder pain require an assessment by an orthopaedic surgeon? See below for a list of the most common types of shoulder pain:
- rotator cuff injury including tears
- shoulder arthritis
- impingement syndrome
- tendonitis
- overuse injury or repetitive motion injury
- pinched nerve
- bone spurs
- torn cartilage
- shoulder fracture
- dislocated shoulder
Due to the complex nature of the shoulder joint, there are a number of different reasons you are experiencing shoulder pain. For some, an acute injury is the known cause while for others, the pain may have started out as minimal but escalated over time.
You may have attempted to treat your injury at home with the use of over-the-counter medications, rest, heat or ice. If your discomfort persists or gets worse over the course of several days, you could likely benefit from an evaluation by an orthopaedic surgeon trained specifically in shoulder issues.
The sooner you get a diagnosis, the sooner a doctor can determine the best course of treatment. For some, surgery may be the best route. However, there are other options that an orthopaedic surgeon can recommend to get you on the mend and back to your normal level of activity.
