Skip to main content
Call Us Request Appointment

Shoulder Pain Specialist

Valley Orthopedic Institute Our Services Shoulder Pain

Valley Orthopedic Institute

Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeons & Hand Surgeons located in Palmdale, CA & Ridgecrest, CA

Your shoulder is the most flexible joint in your body, allowing you to raise your hand over your head and scratch that itch in the middle of your back. Unfortunately, your shoulder’s mobility also makes it vulnerable to injuries and damage that result in shoulder pain. At Valley Orthopedic Institute in Palmdale and Ridgecrest, California, Anand Shah, MD, Mehul Taylor, MD, and the team specialize in diagnosing and treating shoulder pain. Call the office nearest you or schedule a shoulder pain appointment online today.

Shoulder Pain Q & A

What is shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain refers to any discomfort you feel in and around your shoulder joint. Your shoulder is made up of three bones — upper arm bone (humerus), shoulder blade (scapula), and collarbone (clavicle). 

These bones are held together by ligaments, muscles, and tendons, and cushioned by cartilage. 

Damage or injury to any of the components that make up your shoulder may cause shoulder pain. 

What causes shoulder pain?

There are many conditions that cause shoulder pain. The most common include:

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendon. You may develop tendonitis in the shoulder from overuse. You may also develop chronic tendonitis from general wear and tear of the joint that occurs over time.

Bursitis

Bursitis is inflammation of the bursae, which are fluid-filled sacs that act as cushions in between bones and soft tissue. Overuse or an injury may cause bursitis.

Rotator cuff tear

A rotator cuff tear is a common cause of shoulder pain and may occur from an acute injury or degeneration of the tissue as you get older.

Shoulder instability

With shoulder instability, the ligaments and tendons that keep your joint together are loose or damaged, putting you at risk of frequent shoulder dislocations. 

Fractures

A fracture of any of the bones that make up your shoulder joint causes pain.

Arthritis

Many people develop shoulder pain from arthritis, which causes pain, inflammation, and a decrease in mobility.

What happens during a shoulder pain evaluation?

When you visit Valley Orthopedic Institute for a shoulder pain evaluation, the team conducts a thorough clinical exam to find the underlying cause of your symptoms.

Your provider asks detailed questions about your pain and how it affects your daily life. They examine your shoulder, assessing mobility, flexibility, and strength. They also run X-rays or an MRI to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.

How is shoulder pain treated?

Treatment for shoulder pain depends on the cause. However, for most causes, the team at Valley Orthopedic Institute takes a nonsurgical approach, which may include:

  • Activity modification
  • Splinting or bracing
  • Physical therapy
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
  • Stem cell therapy


However, when nonsurgical treatments fail to ease your shoulder pain, the team may recommend surgery. When performing shoulder surgery, they use arthroscopic tools and techniques to minimize incision size, postsurgical pain, and recovery time.

For arthritis or severe shoulder joint damage, the team performs shoulder replacement surgery.

Don’t ignore your shoulder pain; call Valley Orthopedic Institute or schedule an appointment online today.

What we offer

Services