Shoulder Pain

Pain in your shoulders can limit your ability to use your arms and hands, making it even more of a trial. If shoulder pain is causing you difficulties, board-certified pain management experts Naveen Reddy, MD, and Maziar Massrour, MD, of Apex Pain Specialists, can help. At their offices in Chandler, Arizona, the doctors use cutting-edge nonsurgical interventions and injectable treatments to reduce pain and restore function. To find an answer to shoulder pain and disability, call Apex Pain Specialists today or use the online booking form to arrange an appointment.

What causes acute shoulder pain?

Because of their extended range of motion, shoulder joints are prone to dislocation. This occurs when the humeral head (the round part of the bone at the top of your arm) comes partially or wholly out of its socket in your shoulder blade. These injuries often happen alongside labral and rotator cuff damage.

The labrum cartilage holds the ball in the socket. The rotator cuff connects the bones and muscles with a network of tendons. Dislocation or other shoulder injuries can tear the labrum and stretch or tear the rotator cuff tissues, causing acute shoulder pain. You might also fracture the bones in your shoulder.

Why have I got chronic shoulder pain?

Chronic shoulder pain that lasts for more than three months is often a result of poor healing after an acute injury. Dislocations and rotator cuff tears also cause shoulder instability, making the joint weaker and more likely to separate again.

Overuse or repetitive strain causes chronic shoulder pain as well. The most common problems are tendinitis (inflammation in a tendon) and bursitis (inflammation in the small sacs of fluid that cushion the joint).

Osteoarthritis is a common cause of chronic shoulder pain. This degenerative disease typically develops in mid or later life, after your joints endure years of wear-and-tear. They lose their protective coating of slippery cartilage, so the bones start rubbing together. This causes inflammation, aching pain, and stiffness that gradually worsen.

Arthritis can cause bone spurs to grow — little nubs of bone that irritate the soft tissues. Bone spurs can lead to tendinitis and shoulder impingement. Another problem is adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) from lack of use.

How is shoulder pain treated?

After assessing your shoulder pain to determine its cause and severity, Apex Pain Specialists produces a personalized treatment plan for you. The plan contains recommended treatments that target the cause of your shoulder pain and relieve your symptoms, such as:

• Activity modification
• Ice and heat
• Physical therapy
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
• Steroid injections
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Peripheral nerve stimulation

Apex Pain Specialists uses state-of-the-art ultrasound or fluoroscopy (moving X-ray) guidance to deliver therapeutic shoulder injections. This method ensures optimal accuracy and minimal tissue damage.

Call Apex Pain Specialists today or schedule a consultation online to find out what’s causing your shoulder pain and get the most effective treatment.