Shoulder Pain Care

If shoulder pain gets in the way of routine activities like exercising, carrying groceries, or getting a good night's sleep—we can help. At Virtua Orthopedics & Spine, our shoulder specialists provide personalized care to relieve pain, manage symptoms, and minimize lasting damage.

Signs and Symptoms of Shoulder Conditions

Shoulder pain can range from mildly uncomfortable to downright debilitating. And while some shoulder pain can be treated with rest and relaxation at home, we recommend connecting with our team if you're experiencing:

• Pain or difficulty carrying objects, raising your arms, or reaching for items
• Unexplained pain, especially when not using your arms
• Pain that's preventing you from sleeping or getting comfortable while in bed
• Swelling, redness, or tenderness around your shoulder
• A snapping, clicking, or popping sound in your shoulder

Types of Shoulder Conditions

At Virtua, we take a team approach to treating your shoulder pain. Here, our shoulder specialists, sports medicine specialists, and orthopedic surgeons collaborate to evaluate, diagnose, and care for a wide range of conditions, including:

• Avascular necrosis, the loss of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply
• Brachial plexus injury, which occurs when the nerves are stretched, compressed or torn
• Bursitis
• Fractures or sprains
• Frozen shoulder, a condition that results in pain, stiffness, or loss of mobility
• Labral tears or injury
• Osteoarthritis, or inflammation in your joints
• Rotator cuff tears or injury
• Shoulder dislocation, when the head of the upper arm (humerus) separates from the shoulder blade socket
• Tendinitis
• Tendon rupture

Our Approach to Shoulder Pain at Virtua

Because your shoulder is so complex, diagnosing shoulder conditions can be rather challenging. That's why you need an experienced team that understands this intricate area. Following a physical exam, we might recommend additional testing to confirm a diagnosis, including:

• CT scan: This test allows us to capture clear images of bones, muscles, and fat in your shoulder.  CT scans are helpful in detecting severe shoulder injuries, like bone fractures, dislocations, and other serious conditions.
• MRI: Here, we use large magnets and radio frequencies to capture images of your tendons, ligaments, vessels, and nerves in your shoulder.  MRIs can help us detect injuries and abnormalities in these soft tissues.
• Ultrasound: We might order an ultrasound to see how your blood is flowing through your shoulder.  They are also used for evaluating and diagnosing soft tissue injuries.
• X-ray: We typically use them to assess knee arthritis or to confirm fractures and breaks. They are often used as a first step to evaluate several other shoulder conditions as well.

Shoulder Pain Treatment at Virtua

Your shoulder is remarkably flexible. In fact, it's the most mobile joint in your entire body. That's why you need a team of skilled specialists who thoroughly understand the intricate workings of your shoulder.

At Virtua Orthopedics & Spine, our fellowship-trained shoulder specialists, orthopedic surgeons and other experts are here to treat your specific condition or injury. Depending on the severity of your pain, here's how we might approach your care:

• Rest and relaxation: We might recommend a period of rest, ice, and moderate activity. How your shoulder responds could determine the best next steps.
• Medication: Anti-inflammatory and over-the-counter medications could help ease swelling and arthritis-related shoulder pain. We'll also work with you to manage and modify prescriptions as needed.
• Physical therapy: Our team of certified therapists will develop exercises and activities designed to improve motion, strength muscles, and relieve pain in your shoulder.
• Shoulder surgery: If your shoulder is unresponsive to conservative treatment methods – surgery might be the best option. Our team can perform joint replacement surgeries, rotator cuff repairs, shoulder arthroscopy, and more. Plus, our surgeons specialize in minimally invasive procedures.