When should I be concerned about shoulder pain?
If your shoulder pain interferes with your daily function and interrupts sleep, you should seek medical attention. At COSMO, Drs. Logan and White provide an integrated approach to determine the cause of your shoulder pain and develop a treatment plan to relieve it.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should seek medical attention:
- Limited range of motion
- Shoulder stiffness
- Pain when raising your arm to the side or overhead
- Pain while sleeping on one side
- Swelling or redness around the joint
When you get an early diagnosis and begin treatment right away, you can prevent long-term complications related to shoulder pain.
What causes shoulder pain?
The shoulder is a remarkable joint. It boasts a wide range of motion, which makes it functional for all sorts of activities, but this also puts it at risk of instability and injury. Common causes of shoulder pain include:
- Arthritis
- Dislocation
- Sprain or strain
- Torn rotator cuff
- Frozen shoulder
- Tendonitis
- Joint inflammation
Shoulder pain can arise due to issues in your spine. When certain nerves are compressed in the cervical region, you can experience radiating pain throughout your shoulder and arm.
What is shoulder surgery?
Shoulder surgery uses specialized tools to repair a damaged or diseased shoulder joint. The methods depend on the source of your discomfort, the severity of the issue, and your medical history.
At COSMO, the team provides comprehensive care for various shoulder-related issues. The providers on staff have trained at some of the top orthopaedic sports medicine institutions and are familiar with the latest cutting-edge surgical techniques.
When might I need surgery to treat shoulder pain?
At COSMO, the team uses shoulder surgery to treat various shoulder-related issues that cannot be treated with more conservative methods of care, including:
- AC joint separation
- Biceps and SLAP tears
- Clavicle fractures
- Glenohumeral instability
- Proximal humerus fractures
- Rotator cuff tears
- Shoulder osteoarthritis
You might also benefit from shoulder surgery if you have shoulder rotator cuff arthropathy, a severe and complex form of arthritis.
What types of shoulder surgery are available?
The team at COSMO offers several types of shoulder surgery, including:
Arthroplasty
Arthroplasty is a type of shoulder surgery that replaces or repairs a diseased or damaged shoulder joint. During this type of procedure, your provider removes the damaged portion of your shoulder joint and replaces it with a prosthesis.
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a type of minimally invasive shoulder surgery. During this procedure, your provider uses an arthroscope –– a skinny tube with a camera at the end –– to assess your affected joint. If they determine you qualify for surgery, your provider uses small, specialized tools to make the necessary repairs.
Rotator cuff repair
Rotator cuff repair is a type of shoulder surgery that fixes torn tendons in your shoulder joint. It’s a minimally invasive procedure that restores your shoulder’s full range of motion.
Soft tissue repair
Soft tissue repair is a minimally invasive procedure that addresses damage to the muscles or ligaments in your shoulder.
What type of shoulder surgery will benefit me?
To determine the most beneficial type of shoulder surgery, your COSMO provider conducts a physical exam, asks about your symptoms, and takes X-rays or an MRI.
These diagnostic imaging procedures provide detailed images of your shoulder joint and the surrounding tissues. Your provider uses the X-rays to determine the source of your discomfort and to design a custom surgical treatment plan.
To determine the cause of your shoulder pain and get the treatment you need to relieve it, make an appointment at Colorado Sports Medicine and Orthopaedics. Call the office or book online today.
