Shoulder Pain

The shoulder is one of your body’s most complex joints. There are different conditions that can develop in your shoulder joint that make it painful to use your arm to lift or push. No one wants to live with pain, especially when it keeps you from doing everyday things. Fortunately, the Orthopaedic team at St. Elizabeth Healthcare have the expertise and experience to diagnose the cause of shoulder pain and offer the most effective treatment option.

Causes of Shoulder Pain

Your shoulder joint is made up of the upper arm bone (humerus), the shoulder blade (scapula), and the collarbone (clavicle). A ball on the top of your humerus fits into a socket (glenoid) in your shoulder blade. The rotator cuff, a combination of muscles and tendons, attaches the head of your humerus to your shoulder blade and keeps the joint stable.

Most shoulder pain is caused by one of these conditions:

• Arthritis — There are different types of arthritis that can affect the shoulder. The most common type is osteoarthritis, caused by wear and tear on the joint.
• Inflammation — Tendonitis or bursitis develop in the tendons of the rotator cuff due to overuse.
• Rotator cuff tear — A partial or full tear can be caused by a sudden injury, like a fall, or over time with overuse.
• Dislocation —An injury or overuse can force the head of the humerus out of the socket.
• Fracture —A fall or high impact injury like a motor vehicle accident or sports injury can break any of the three bones of the shoulder joint. It is recommended that you see an orthopaedic surgeon for any shoulder fracture.   

Fortunately, you don’t have to live with shoulder pain. There are effective treatments for shoulder pain and most conditions are treatable with nonsurgical options. Shoulder pain usually doesn’t go away on its own. That’s why it’s important to see your doctor when pain develops to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment recommendation. 

Contact Us

If you are ready to put a stop to your shoulder pain, we can help. Schedule an appointment with our Sports Medicine physicians for a treatment plan tailored to you. Call (859) 212-5600 to make an appointment.

If surgery is necessary, our physicians can provide a referral to one of our affiliated orthopaedic surgeons. For more information on surgical options, please contact us at askortho@stelizabeth.com.