Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is one of the most common reasons people visit an orthopedic practice. It can come from many different problems affecting the bones, tendons, muscles, cartilage or nerves in and around the shoulder.

Your shoulder is the most mobile joint in your body. Its wide range of motion lets you reach, lift and rotate your arm freely, but also makes it more prone to injury and wear than almost any other joint. When something goes wrong, even simple tasks like getting dressed, reaching for a high shelf or sleeping painlessly through the night can become difficult and frustrating.

NY Orthopedics proudly carries a 40+ year legacy of helping patients understand the source of their pain and get back to the activities they love. The sooner we can evaluate shoulder pain and nearby areas such as the hand, wrist and elbow, the more treatment options are usually available.

Common Symptoms of Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is different from patient to patient. Some experience pain that increases as months and years go on, while others have sudden pain following an injury. The type of pain you feel and how it presents will offer clues about the cause. Pay attention to these signs to help you decide when to come to us for help:

• Aching, dull or sharp pain in the shoulder or upper arm
• Pain when lifting the arm overhead or reaching across your body
• Weakness in the shoulder, arm or grip
• Stiffness or a reduced range of motion
• Clicking, popping or grinding sensations when you move
• Pain at night, especially when lying on the affected shoulder
• A shoulder that feels unstable or like your shoulder comes out of place
• Swelling or tenderness around the shoulder joint
• Numbness or tingling that travels down the arm, which can point to nerve involvement

If any of these symptoms sound familiar and are not improving, it’s time to speak with a specialist who can find the cause and recommend the right next step.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can come from any of the moving parts of the shoulder, either from injury or wear and tear. Some of the most common causes of shoulder pain include:

• Rotator cuff tears. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their tendons that surround the shoulder joint. The tendons connect the four muscles to the bone and allow the shoulder to move in many planes, including overhead and upward/outward. When a tear occurs, the tendon tears off the bone and the muscle it controls becomes ineffective. Tears can happen suddenly from a fall or gradually, and they are one of the leading causes of shoulder pain. Learn more about a torn rotator cuff.
• Labrum tears. The labrum is a ring of cartilage that lines the shoulder socket and keeps the joint stable. A tear can cause pain, clicking and a feeling of instability. Learn more about labrum tears.
• Shoulder instability and dislocation. When the ball of the upper arm slips partly or fully out of the socket, it can cause pain and a sense that the shoulder is loose. Learn more about dislocation.
• Shoulder impingement and bursitis. This happens when tendons or the fluid-filled bursa in the shoulder become compressed or irritated, often after repeated overhead motion. It is common in swimmers and people whose jobs involve reaching above their heads throughout the day. Learn more about bursitis.
• Frozen shoulder. Also called adhesive capsulitis, this condition causes the joint capsule to stiffen and tighten, leading to gradual pain and a loss of motion. It tends to develop slowly and can make everyday movements surprisingly difficult. Learn more about frozen shoulder.
• Shoulder arthritis. The smooth cartilage that cushions the shoulder joint can wear away and cause pain and stiffness that tends to worsen with age. Many people notice it most when the weather changes or after periods of heavy use. Learn more about shoulder arthritis.
• Bicep tendon injuries. Inflammation or tearing of the bicep tendon near the shoulder can create pain in the front of the shoulder, particularly with lifting or gripping. This type of pain is sometimes mistaken for a rotator cuff problem. Learn more about bicep tendon injuries.
• AC joint injuries. The acromioclavicular joint, where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade, can be injured or develop arthritis. This often causes tenderness right at the top of the shoulder and pain when reaching across the body. Learn more about AC joint injuries.

Risk factors for shoulder pain include repetitive overhead activity from sports or work, age-related tissue changes, previous shoulder injuries and poor posture.

How Is Shoulder Pain Diagnosed?

At NY Orthopedics, we take the time to understand your symptoms and pinpoint the cause before recommending a treatment. We start with a conversation about your symptoms, including when the pain started, your activity level and any previous injuries you have had to the area.

We will also perform a physical exam to check your strength and range of motion. Be sure to point out any areas that feel particularly tender or painful. With simple movement tests, we often determine the likely source of your pain and suggest a treatment plan.

You may also need imaging to confirm your diagnosis. Your specialist may recommend X-rays to check the bones and rule out fractures or arthritis, an MRI to get a detailed look at soft tissues like tendons, cartilage and the labrum, or an ultrasound to view tendons in real time as the shoulder moves

NY Orthopedics offers on-site imaging for your convenience so you can be evaluated and diagnosed during the same visit.

When Should You See a Shoulder Specialist?

If you have an ache in your shoulder after a particularly taxing day, the pain may resolve without having to visit an orthopedic doctor. However, as soon as pain lingers or begins limiting you on a daily basis, you should have it checked. It is also important to have serious, acute pain checked right away, especially following an injury. Consider seeing a specialist for any of the following circumstances:

• Pain that lasts more than a few days without improving
• Shoulder pain that disrupts your sleep or daily routine
• Pain that follows a fall, impact or other injury
• A feeling of instability or episodes where the shoulder slips out of place
• Weakness that makes it hard to lift objects or raise your arm
• Visible swelling or deformity after an injury

For sudden or severe shoulder pain following an injury, you do not have to wait for an appointment. We offer same-day and walk-in orthopedic immediate care through NYOrtho Now with no referral needed, so you can skip the emergency room and get seen quickly by specialists who focus on injuries like yours.

Treatment Options for Shoulder Pain

The cause of your shoulder pain will determine which treatment we recommend, as will your goals for daily life and mobility. At NY Orthopedics, we want to find the least invasive option that will allow you to return to normal activities, and we have a full range of nonsurgical and surgical care under one roof to accommodate the wide range of patients we receive.

Nonsurgical Treatments

Most shoulder pain can be managed at first without surgery, and conservative care is often our starting point. Your specialist may recommend a variety of options that can work together to heal your shoulder and reduce your pain, including rest, activity changes and physical therapy to restore strength and motion.

We may also recommend anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and swelling, corticosteroid injections for targeted relief (through our Interventional Pain Medicine team) or regenerative medicine options such as PRP for appropriate candidates

Surgical Treatments

When conservative care no longer brings relief, or there is structural damage that needs to be repaired, surgery may be the best path forward. Shoulder procedures today can often be performed arthroscopically, through small incisions, which means less pain and faster recovery than traditional open surgery.

Our advanced, often minimally invasive procedures include rotator cuff repair for torn tendons, arthroscopic labrum repair, arthroscopic surgery (for various shoulder conditions), and shoulder replacement for more advanced concerns.

Our fellowship-trained shoulder specialists will review every option with you and help you choose the approach that gets you moving again as safely and quickly as possible. We do not recommend surgery or other invasive options unless they are the best and most reliable way to relieve you of your pain and discomfort.

Ready to Get Relief? Schedule a Shoulder Evaluation

We don’t want any of our patients to have to live with shoulder pain. Our specialists at NY Orthopedics are here to help you find the cause and restore your comfort and mobility, with multiple locations across the New York Metropolitan Area to help you fit our evaluations and treatments into your busy schedule.

We are here to help you get past your shoulder pain, whether acute or chronic, debilitating or inconvenient. Schedule a consultation online today, or call us at 212-737-3301 to speak with us.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shoulder Pain

How do I know if my shoulder pain is serious?

Shoulder pain that follows an injury, does not improve with rest after a few days, disrupts your sleep or comes with weakness or instability is worth having evaluated. These symptoms can point to a torn tendon, a labrum injury or another structural problem that responds better to treatment when caught early. If your pain is sudden and severe, same-day care is available through NYOrtho Now.

What is the difference between a rotator cuff tear and a labrum tear?

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder and allow it to move. A tear can cause pain, weakness and difficulty lifting the arm. The labrum is a ring of cartilage inside the socket that adds cushioning and stability, and a tear there often causes pain with certain movements along with clicking or a sense of instability. Both are common causes of shoulder pain, and we treat both at NY Orthopedics.

Do I need surgery for shoulder pain?

Most shoulder conditions can be treated without surgery. Physical therapy and injections work well for many patients. Surgery is usually recommended only when conservative treatments have not provided enough relief, or when there is structural damage such as a complete rotator cuff tear that needs repair. Your NY Orthopedics physician will evaluate your condition and walk you through every option.

How long does it take to recover from shoulder pain?

Recovery time depends on the cause and the treatment approach. Minor shoulder strains may improve within a few weeks with rest and therapy. Conditions that require surgery, such as rotator cuff or labrum repair, usually involve a recovery period of several months, with physical therapy to restore strength and motion. Most patients return to their normal activities once they complete their recovery plan. Your NY Orthopedics care team will give you a realistic timeline based on your specific diagnosis and check in with you along the way.

Can a problem in my neck cause shoulder pain?

Pain that feels like it comes from the shoulder sometimes starts in the neck or upper spine, where an irritated or compressed nerve can send discomfort into the shoulder and arm. This is called referred pain. Because the source is not always where the pain is felt, one of our fellowship-trained physicians will determine whether your shoulder, your neck or both are involved.

Does shoulder pain always mean something is torn or damaged?

While tears are a common cause, a lot of shoulder pain comes from inflammation, muscle strain or irritation that has not damaged the underlying structure. Milder issues like these often improve once the cause is identified. An evaluation is the best way to know whether your pain is structural or something less serious.

Can shoulder pain be a sign of a problem elsewhere in the body?

In most cases, shoulder pain relates to the joint itself, but occasionally it can signal an issue in another part of the body, such as the heart, lungs or gallbladder. This is uncommon, yet it is one reason sudden or unexplained shoulder pain should not be ignored. If your pain appears without a clear cause or comes with symptoms like chest tightness or shortness of breath, seek medical care right away.