Shoulder Pain

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You may not think about the hundreds of tasks your shoulders support  each day until an issue arises, after which you may think of little  else. At Spine & Sports Medical Group in Campbell, California and  San Jose, California, you have access to a team of highly-skilled  physiatry and sports medicine specialists with the experience and  training needed to diagnose and resolve all types of shoulder pain.  Reach out today to book your visit online or by phone.   

Your shoulder  is comprised of a number of different joints and the bones, muscles,  ligaments, tendons, nerves, blood vessels, and other tissues that  support those joints. When something goes wrong with any of those  components, shoulder pain can occur. 

Mild pain can be more of an  annoyance than an impediment to daily routines. Moderate to severe pain  interferes with the course of a normal day and requires treatment. 

Some conditions that can cause shoulder pain include:

• Tendinitis
  
• Bursitis
  
• Impingement
  
• Instability
  
• Muscle tears
  
• Tendon tears
  
• Fracture
  
• Arthritis

The first step in treating shoulder pain is a thorough diagnostic exam to determine the source of your discomfort. 

The  process begins with a discussion about your pain. Be prepared to share  details about when you notice pain, the severity, and duration of  discomfort, and what actions improve or worsen the pain. You will also  discuss your personal health history and any medications or supplements  you are currently taking.  

Your practitioner performs a physical  exam to look for abnormalities like redness, swelling, joint deformity,  or muscle weakness. Communicate your pain level and other sensations  during this portion of the exam. 

Additional testing may be needed to learn more about what’s happening within your shoulder joint. Some options include:

• X-rays
  
• MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging
  
• Ultrasound
  
• CT, or computed tomography scan
  
• Arthrogram
  
• Arthroscopy
  
• Electrical studies

The results of these diagnostic efforts will shape your treatment plan. 

The  team at Spine & Sports Medical Group believes in finding the best  possible treatment path for each individual in their care. Customized  treatment plans focus on your current joint condition, your overall  health, and your treatment goals. 

In some cases, a course of  physical therapy can help strengthen and support your joint. Drug  therapy can help reduce inflammation or block pain signals between the  body and brain. At times, surgical repair is the best way to resolve  tissue damage and eliminate pain. 

Arthroscopy is the preferred  approach when possible. Arthroscopic procedures require only a few small  incisions and results in less bleeding, lower risks, and faster  recovery as compared to traditional open surgeries. 

During  arthroscopic procedures, a thin surgical tube equipped with a camera and  light is guided to the site of joint damage. Slim surgical instruments  repair damage and remove tissues. This is a great approach for rotator  cuff repair, impingement syndrome, and shoulder instability. Full and  partial shoulder replacements are also available. 

To learn more about diagnostic and treatment tools for shoulder pain, call or book a consultation online today.

We  also see patients in the following surrounding cities: Santa Clara, San  Jose, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Cupertino, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Los  Altos, Milpitas, Fremont, Morgan Hill, and Gilroy. Book your appointment  today.