8020 Creedmoor Rd Raleigh NC 27613

Shoulder Pain Treatment in Durham, NC

Shoulder Pain Treatment in Durham, NC

For those who suffer from long-term tendon, muscle or joint pain, you are not alone. Nearly 28 million Americans develop some type of musculoskeletal problem each year, many of which involve the shoulder. These problems typically include sprains, strains and overuse injuries. Treating shoulder pain depends entirely on the cause of the problem. If you are unsure of your diagnosis or the severity of your condition, make sure to seek medical advice before beginning any treatment.

Many shoulder injuries are caused by athletic activities that involve excessive, repetitive motion, but these injuries can also occur during everyday activities. Too much shoulder movement can lead to increasing problems with instability in the soft tissues of the shoulder, resulting in pain. Pain may be felt only when you move the shoulder, or all of the time. The pain may be acute and disappear in a short time, or it may continue and require medical diagnosis and treatment.

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain

A number of factors and conditions can contribute to shoulder pain. The most prevalent cause is rotator cuff tendinitis, a condition where the tendons in the shoulder become inflamed. Sometimes shoulder pain is the result of injury to another location on the body—usually the neck or bicep. This is called referred pain and generally does not get worse when moving the shoulder.

Because the shoulder is primarily a ball-and-socket joint with an extensive range of motion, the shoulder joint is quite susceptible to injury. Many causes of shoulder pain are problems related to the soft tissues rather than the bones in the shoulder. The majority of these problems fall into four major categories:

  • Tendon inflammation or tendon tear
  • Instability
  • Arthritis
  • Fracture (broken bone)

Treating Shoulder Pain

In the case of an acute injury that causes intense pain, you should seek medical care as soon as possible. If the pain is less severe, it may be safe to rest a few days to see if time will resolve the problem. If symptoms persist, see a doctor. The earlier you are able to get advice about a musculoskeletal issue, the sooner you may be able to start treating the problem. Early diagnosis and treatment prevents an issue from becoming more severe.

Depending on the type of activity or joint trauma that caused the shoulder injury, and the severity of shoulder pain, your doctor may use an x-ray, MRI or CT scan to diagnose the injury. Your doctor will conduct a thorough evaluation and perform a series of tests designed to determine the cause of your shoulder pain. Based off that diagnosis, your doctor will then provide you with treatment options. Treatment will depend on the cause and severity of the shoulder pain and may include:

  • Physical therapy
  • Use of a sling or shoulder immobilizer
  • Platelet-rich plasma therapy
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
  • Corticosteroids (powerful anti-inflammatory drugs that are injected into the shoulder)
  • Surgery
  • Arthroscopic surgery, which is performed through a tiny incision

In addition to pain, you may also have reduced strength or movement in your shoulder. In this case, your physician may offer a combination of different treatments.

Request more information about shoulder pain today. Call (919) 301-0841 or contact Dr. Bhavna Vaidya-Tank online.

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Hours and Directions
Family Wellness Clinic & Regenesis MD
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Address

8020 Creedmoor Rd
Raleigh, NC 27613
(919) 301-0841
www.regenesismd.com

Areas We Service:

Durham, NC, Youngsville, NC, Creedmoor, NC, Chapel Hill, NC, Apex, NC, Cary, NC, Knightdale, NC, Morrisville, NC, Rolesville, NC, Wake Forest, NC, Brier Creek, NC, Crabtree Valley, NC, Five Points, NC, North Hills, NC