Shoulder pain is the third most common orthopedic condition, often causing enough pain to keep you away from athletic and occupational activities. The exceptional team at Interventional Spine and Pain Center in Manchester and Murfreesboro, Tennessee, performs a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation to determine the cause of your shoulder pain, then they develop a holistic treatment that delivers significant pain relief. To schedule an appointment, call one of the offices or use the online booking feature.

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What causes shoulder pain?

Your shoulder joint is stabilized by a group of four muscles and tendons called the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff holds the upper arm in the socket and supports the full range of arm motion, which creates extreme stress on the rotator cuff over years of wear-and-tear.

You’re especially vulnerable for shoulder pain if you engage in athletic, occupational, or everyday activities that require repetitive overhead motions such as swimming, pitching, or painting.

Some of the most common causes of shoulder pain include:

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rotator cuff injuries
  • Shoulder dislocation
  • Repetitive use injuries
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Shoulder impingement
  • Tendinitis and bursitis
  • Acromioclavicular injury

When shoulder problems go untreated, you’re at risk of developing chronic shoulder instability.

Do other symptoms develop in addition to shoulder pain?

An acute injury such as a sudden tendon tear or dislocation causes intense pain. By comparison, overuse injuries usually start out with mild pain that gradually gets worse if you keep using your shoulder.

You’ll also have limited arm movement or your shoulder muscles may be too weak to move your arm. Some shoulder conditions cause inflammation and swelling, and make it hard to reach behind your back.

How is shoulder pain diagnosed?

When you come to Interventional Spine and Pain Center with shoulder pain, you receive a comprehensive exam that includes a review of your medical history, an in-depth evaluation of your current symptoms, and a physical exam.

During the physical exam, your doctor at Interventional Spine and Pain Center checks your upper spine to be sure your pain doesn’t originate there. Then you’re asked to move your arms as directed so your doctor can evaluate your movement, look for abnormalities, and test the strength of your rotator cuff, all while monitoring for pain.

Depending on the results of your physical exam, you may need to undergo diagnostic imaging. Your doctor may order X-rays to search for signs of bone spurs or other problems like arthritis. Ultrasound is often used to fully evaluate your soft tissues and to assess the structures in your shoulder joint as they move.

After diagnosing the underlying cause of your shoulder pain, the team at Interventional Spine and Pain Center develops a customized treatment plan drawing from their vast experience in many modalities, including interventional and regenerative medicine.

To get relief for your shoulder pain, call Interventional Spine and Pain Center or schedule an appointment online.