Shoulder pain can result from various underlying conditions affecting the shoulder joint, muscles, tendons, or ligaments. The shoulder joint, comprised of a ball-and-socket, is the most mobile joint in the body. However, because of its vast range of motion, it is also unstable. It is supported by soft tissues, which are also subject to injury, overuse, and under-use.
Shoulder pain can significantly impact your day-to-day activities and quality of life. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, tailored to the specific condition and severity of symptoms, are essential for optimal outcomes.
At Impact Sports & Spine, we use advanced diagnostic ultrasound to help determine the underlying cause of your shoulder pain before designing a personalized treatment plan. Our team focuses on non-surgical and minimally-invasive treatments for optimal healing, ensuring minimum complications and faster recovery.
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint made up of three main bones: the humerus (long arm bone), the clavicle (at the collarbone), and the scapula (also known as the shoulder blade).
The shoulder girdle in its entirety consists of three joints: the shoulder joint proper (glenohumeral joint), the acromioclavicular (AC) joint, and the sternoclavicular (SC) joint. The shoulder joint/glenohumeral joint is the primary joint, where the long arm bone fits into the rounded socket of the scapula. The AC joint is located at the top of the shoulder. It is where the clavicle (collarbone) meets the acromion, a bony projection of the scapula. The SC joint is located in the front of your chest, where the collarbone meets the breastbone (sternum).
The glenohumeral joint is held together by the rotator cuff, which is a group of muscles and tendons that protects the humerus and allows arm movements. Additionally, various other ligaments, muscles, and tendons provide essential stability and movement to the shoulder, ensuring proper function and preventing dislocation.
Injury to any of these components of the shoulder can cause shoulder pain, typically due to overuse, injuries, and repetitive activities. Degenerative diseases may also cause shoulder pain that travels along nerves to the shoulder.
Shoulder pain can result from overuse, repetitive movements, trauma, nerve compression, and poor shoulder posture.
Shoulder impingement, also known as impingement syndrome, occurs when the rotator cuff tendons or bursa in the shoulder are compressed or pinched during arm movements. This condition can cause shoulder pain, inflammation, and restricted movement.
Shoulder impingement syndrome can include:
Rotator cuff tendinosis refers to the degeneration of the rotator cuff tendons, leading to shoulder pain. This condition is caused by repetitive overhead activities, shoulder trauma, age-related degeneration, and impingement.
Rotator cuff tendon partial tears involve damage to one or more of the tendons that make up the rotator cuff. These tears can be caused by acute injury, chronic overuse, or degenerative changes.
Adhesive capsulitis, also called frozen shoulder, is a condition characterized by stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. It is caused when the capsule of connective tissue surrounding the shoulder thickens and tightens around the joint, restricting movement and causing shoulder pain.
Glenohumeral joint arthritis involves the degeneration of the cartilage in the shoulder joint. It can lead to shoulder pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
Glenohumeral joint arthritis can develop from wear and tear of cartilage, chronic inflammation, injuries like fracture or dislocation, and severe rotator cuff tears.
Acromioclavicular (AC) joint arthritis involves the degeneration of the cartilage in the AC joint, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced shoulder mobility. It can develop from wear and tear, inflammation of the joints, overuse, fracture, dislocation, or severe sprain.
Sternoclavicular (SC) joint arthritis involves the degeneration of the cartilage in the sternoclavicular joint, where the clavicle meets the breastbone. This condition can cause pain, swelling, and limited shoulder and chest movement.
Acromioclavicular (AC) ligament sprains and partial tears involve injury to the ligaments that stabilize the acromioclavicular joint. These injuries are common in athletes and people who engage in activities that involve repetitive overhead movements or direct impact on the shoulder.
The coracoclavicular ligaments are essential for stabilizing the AC joint. Sprains or partial tears of the coracoclavicular ligaments typically occur due to trauma or overuse, leading to instability and pain in the shoulder region.
The shoulder socket, also called the glenoid, is surrounded by a thick line of cartilage-like tissue called the labrum. A glenoid labrum tear can occur after an injury, trauma, or performing a repetitive movement with your shoulder.
Biceps tendinosis affects the tendon of the biceps muscle, particularly where it attaches to the shoulder or the elbow. It can involve inflammation, degeneration, or tears of the tendon, leading to reduced shoulder or elbow function and shoulder pain.
Nerve entrapments or impingements are conditions where nerves become compressed or irritated, leading to pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling sensations along the affected nerve pathway.
Pain in the shoulder may be localized in a specific part or radiate to areas around the shoulder or down the arm. Symptoms of shoulder conditions can vary depending on the underlying cause.
Common symptoms include:
Our doctors perform a comprehensive assessment of your shoulder to determine the underlying cause of the pain. We begin by discussing your medical history and symptoms, including the nature of the onset and duration of your pain. This helps us understand any activities or injuries that might have contributed to your condition.
We perform a physical examination to assess your shoulder's range of motion, strength, stability, and areas of tenderness. We may also use a diagnostic ultrasound to visualize the soft tissues around the shoulder, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments, to pinpoint the condition that may be causing your shoulder pain. When needed, we may ask for additional imaging tests.
Upon identifying the underlying cause of your shoulder pain, we recommend appropriate treatment to reduce pain and improve function. Treatment options may include rest and/or activity modification, ice and heat therapy, physical therapy, minimally-invasive non-surgical procedures, and surgical referrals. Our treatments are personalized and tailored to your goals.
Although you may not be able to avoid unforeseen injuries and age-related degeneration, you may still reduce the risk of shoulder issues with a combination of proper techniques, exercises, and lifestyle adjustments.
Consider following these tips to help prevent shoulder pain:
Persistent shoulder pain can affect your quality of life by causing difficulty in performing daily activities. We provide personalized care for shoulder pain after a thorough evaluation of the affected area.
At Impact Sports & Spine, we focus on providing high-quality non-surgical care for acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries and spinal conditions. Our team focuses on uncovering the root cause of your condition rather than merely treating the symptoms.
To schedule a consultation with our skilled practitioners, call us at 301-363-9693 or request an appointment online.
Impact Sports & Spine
9420 Key West Ave. Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: 301-363-9693
Fax: 301-363-9676
Monday - Thursday
8 am - 5 pm
Friday
8 am - 4 pm
Saturday - Sunday
Closed
