Your shoulders are the most movable joints in your body. Their unique design helps you reach above your head, stretch behind you, and give hugs, but they’re also uniquely susceptible to injury and pain.
If you’re experiencing shoulder pain from an injury or lingering pain that doesn’t go away within a few days, it’s time to visit the doctor. A few of the most common causes of shoulder pain are arthritis, impingement, bursitis, and injuries, like rotator cuff tears and dislocated shoulders — and many types of shoulder pain don’t go away on their own.
The solution to your shoulder pain depends on the cause and severity of your condition, but our team at Manhattan Orthopedics is here to help. We specialize in treating shoulder pain with the latest in medical technology, offering options that range from physical therapy to minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery.
Physical therapy can be a great solution for mild or moderate shoulder pain. It’s a boon for arthritis, bursitis, and many other common shoulder problems because it strengthens the joint.
Your physical therapy plan involves targeted exercises to build muscle strength, along with maintaining and improving range of motion. Your physical therapist works with you to move your shoulder safely, and building strength means you’re less likely to experience pain or suffer another injury in the future.
Along with physical therapy, our team may recommend activity modification to treat your shoulder pain. Repetitive movements, common with many sports and occupations, can trigger shoulder pain.
Medication can be a flexible treatment option for your shoulder pain. It can be combined with other treatments, like physical therapy, and your doctor can adjust your dosage to ensure you’re getting the most from your treatment plan.
Shoulder pain is often caused by inflammation and swelling within the joint. Anti-inflammatory medication can work for pain caused by arthritis and minor injuries. Depending on the severity of your condition, we may recommend over-the-counter anti-inflammatories or write you a prescription for oral medication.
Joint injections can be particularly effective for shoulder pain because they target the joint directly. We offer cortisone injections, also called steroid injections, which treat pain by reducing inflammation around the joint.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections may also be a good option for your shoulder pain. PRP therapy involves using elements from your blood to speed healing in soft tissues, and PRP injections can stimulate repair within your shoulder to alleviate pain.
Certain types of shoulder injury, like rotator cuff tears, other muscle and ligament tears, and separated shoulder, may require surgery. Surgery can restore and strengthen damaged joints so that you can return to your favorite activities with less pain.
Our team specializes in minimally invasive arthroscopy, a type of surgery that involves a surgical camera, tiny incisions, and small, specialized tools. We remove or repair damaged soft tissues to jumpstart healing.
Other treatments, like joint injections and physical therapy, may be part of your recovery plan following arthroscopy. Talk to our team to learn more about what to expect if you need surgery for your shoulder pain.
Find solutions that work for your shoulder pain at Manhattan Orthopedics. Call the office nearest you -- in Astoria, Brooklyn, or Manhattan -- or request your first appointment online today.
