Persistent shoulder pain can impact a person’s range of motion, comfort level, and quality of life. Patients with shoulder pain can find diagnosis, treatment, and pain management from the specialists at Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics (CNSO), with locations throughout northern New Jersey. CNSO has a comprehensive care team that collaborates to provide high-quality care. Here, CNSO shares more insight into specialists who treat shoulder pain.
About Shoulder Pain
The shoulder includes several joints connected to bones, muscles, and tendons that allow for a full range of motion and different arm movements. When a part of the shoulder is inflamed or injured, it can lead to pain in the shoulder, shoulder blade, and upper back. Patients may also notice swelling and have difficulty moving the arm fully. Shoulder pain can have many different causes, including:
- Rotator cuff tendinitis: This occurs when the muscles and tendons in the shoulder, called the rotator cuff, become inflamed and painful, often from overuse.
- Arthritis: Arthritis in the shoulder joint can cause the cartilage between the joint to deteriorate over time, leading to pain and stiffness.
- Bursitis: This condition occurs when the bursa, fluid-filled sacs that cushion the shoulder joint, become inflamed and cause pain.
- Frozen shoulder: This condition results from inflammation of the shoulder joint capsule, leading to pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion.
- Shoulder injuries: A broken shoulder bone, a dislocated shoulder, and rotator cuff tendon tears can also cause pain in the shoulder and can be due to falls, work-related injuries, or motor vehicle accidents.
- Poor posture: The shoulders are connected to the thoracic spine so poor posture can cause pain in the upper back and shoulder blade area.
Patients experiencing ongoing shoulder pain should speak to their doctors about referrals to specialists for diagnosis and treatment because such pain sometimes can be a sign of a serious condition. At CNSO, the diagnostic process typically includes a medical history, physical exam, and techniques such as computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.
Specialists for Diagnosing and Treating Shoulder Pain at CNSO
As New Jersey’s most comprehensive brain and spine center, CNSO has a team of specialists who diagnose and treat brain, spine, and nerve conditions and related symptoms, including shoulder pain. CNSO specialists provide quality care from the initial consultation to diagnosis and through treatment and recovery. Specialists for treating shoulder pain at CNSO include:
Physiatrists
Patients with shoulder pain can benefit from seeing a physiatrist, or a doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Physiatry provides non-surgical treatment options to help prevent and treat a range of injuries and conditions, including upper back and shoulder pain, arthritis, and injuries. Treatments for shoulder pain a physiatrist might recommend include:
- Rehabilitation medicine: This treatment uses a range of techniques to help reduce shoulder pain caused by arthritis or bone spurs.
- Joint injections: These injections into the shoulder joint help to reduce inflammation and decrease resulting pain.
- Pain management: Pain management encompasses a variety of techniques that provide pain relief without using opiates or more invasive measures.
Physical Therapists
A patient with shoulder pain caused by overuse, injury, or arthritis can see a physical therapist for treatment. At CNSO, the physical therapy team helps patients improve their flexibility and range of motion while decreasing pain. Common physical therapy techniques for patients with shoulder pain include soft tissue manipulation, stretching exercises, massage, hot and cold therapy, electrical stimulation, and more. Orthopedic physical therapy techniques can address musculoskeletal issues to provide pain relief.
Orthopedic Surgeons
If a patient’s shoulder pain is not treated sufficiently with non-surgical measures, surgical treatment from an orthopedic surgeon may be recommended. Orthopedic surgeons can repair torn rotator cuffs, release a contracted joint capsule in a frozen shoulder, and more.
At CNSO, the comprehensive team of specialists includes orthopedic spine surgeons, pain management physicians, physiatrists, rehabilitation specialists, physical therapists, neurosurgeons, and more who collaborate to provide personalized care for every patient. The team follows a conservative approach to pain management and treatment, starting with non-surgical treatment options when possible before recommending surgery. Whether a patient with shoulder pain needs more invasive treatment or conservative care, the multi-specialty care team at CNSO can provide it.
Find Comprehensive Shoulder Pain Treatment at CNSO
Shoulder pain can range from temporary and mild to severe and chronic. Patients dealing with ongoing shoulder pain can see a specialist at CNSO for diagnosis and treatment. With office locations throughout northern New Jersey, CNSO makes treatment easy to access, including physical therapy, pain management, and more. Contact Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics today to request an appointment with a specialist for shoulder pain treatment.
