Signs Your Shoulder Pain Needs Help
Shoulder pain isn’t uncommon, but how do you know when to see your doctor? Here’s what you need to know.
Frozen shoulder is common — especially in men and women over the age of 40. Pain and stiffness in your shoulder can inhibit your movement, affecting the productivity of performing simple chores or stopping you from enjoying your active hobbies.
Your shoulder joint has tendons, ligaments, and bones contained in a pocket of connective tissues and can begin to freeze up as the area thickens and gets tight. The result? Pain and impaired movement in your shoulder.
At Crescent City Orthopedics in Metairie, Louisiana, we’re a team of orthopedic surgeons that know how to determine the root cause of your shoulder pain and treat you effectively. Knowing if you’re at risk can help ward off the condition.
You could be more susceptible to developing frozen shoulder if you have a history of any of the following:
Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, Parkinson’s, and thyroid disease can also contribute to a frozen shoulder due to inflammation that can develop. When tissues become swollen, the restriction in your shoulder can promote scar tissue, leading to pain and inhibited movement.
Frozen shoulder usually occurs in stages, with each one lasting a few months.
They include:
During this stage, movement in your shoulder causes pain and begins to stiffen.
When you’re in the frozen stage, the pain begins to go away, but you experience more intense immobility in your shoulder, making movement far more difficult.
When you can move your shoulder again and get your range of motion back, you’re in the thawing stage.
Keeping your shoulder active with proper physical exercises can help prevent you from getting a frozen shoulder.
If you experience stiffness or pain in your shoulder, our team can accurately diagnose you by first understanding your symptoms. We may also need to perform imaging tests to rule out other conditions and pinpoint the area of concern.
We can prescribe anti-inflammatory medications if over-the-counter pain relievers aren’t strong enough. We also recommend physical therapy to help fluid movement return to your shoulder.
Depending on the severity of your frozen shoulder, we can also:
If you have impaired use of your shoulder, reach out to our team today. Give us a call at the location closest to you, or book your appointment online. You can also feel free to send us a message if you have questions before your visit.
