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Chronic Shoulder Pain
Lasting Care Near You in New Jersey
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, and one of the most vulnerable. When your shoulder starts causing you pain, Kurdali Spine & Pain can provide relief. We provide advanced, non-surgical treatments for shoulder pain caused by arthritis, bursitis, rotator cuff tears, and more. Get treatment today at one of our locations near you in New Jersey and discover the relief it can provide.
Key Takeaways
- Shoulder pain refers to any pain and symptoms originating in the shoulder.
- Common symptoms of shoulder pain include pain, swelling, stiffness, a clicking sensation when moving the arm, muscle weakness, and an inability to raise the arm.
- Common causes of shoulder pain include muscle strains, tendonitis, bursitis, rotator cuff tears, arthritis, and nerve impingement.
- Kurdali Spine & Pain provides non-surgical relief for neck, back, nerve, muscle, and joint pain, offering same-day treatment for patients in New Jersey.
What Is Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain refers to any type of pain that originates in or near the shoulder. The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body. As a ball-and-socket joint, it can bend upward, downward, and to each side with a full 360 degrees of limb movement. This construction provides tremendous mobility in your arms, but it also makes the shoulder unstable compared to other joints. Extreme movements, wear and tear, degeneration, and blunt trauma can quickly result in injury and pain.
The shoulders rely on all their components to provide strength and mobility. The parts of the shoulder include:
- Bones: The shoulder joint includes several bones that provide structure and stability: the upper arm (humerus), shoulder blade (scapula), and collarbone (clavicle).
- Cartilage: The head of the humerus is covered with a layer of smooth, hard tissue that lubricates the joint and lets it swivel without friction.
- Rotator cuff: A group of four strong muscles and tendons surrounds the shoulder joint in a ring, locking it securely in place and powering movement.
- Bursae: Several fluid-filled sacs are located around the shoulder joint, where they act as shock absorbers and reduce friction between tissues.
- Nerves: Bundles of nerves pass through the shoulder, relaying sensory and motor information between the arm and the spinal cord.
All these structures work together to perform the shoulder’s function. If even one of them becomes damaged, the patient will often experience pain and loss of mobility.
What Are the Common Symptoms of Shoulder Pain?
There are many different types of shoulder pain, depending on what tissues are damaged, and each type causes its own set of symptoms. Different individuals may experience pain differently as well. Common symptoms include:
- Swelling, redness, or warm skin around the shoulder
- A popping, clicking, or crackling sensation when moving the arm
- An inability to lift items or raise the arm above the shoulder
- Stiffness or reduced mobility
- Feelings of muscle weakness in the shoulder and arm
- A visible deformity in the shoulder
- Burning, tingling, or pins-and-needles sensations in the arm
- Numbness in the arm, hand, or fingers
Patients who are experiencing shoulder pain should pay attention to its type (sharp, aching, radiating, etc.) and when it is worse. For example, shoulder pain might feel worse when lifting objects or moving the arm in a certain direction. Other forms of shoulder pain are worse at night or when resting the arm. This information can be instrumental in determining a diagnosis. The more patients can tell Dr. Basil Kurdali about their pain, the more easily he can identify the cause.
What Are the Causes of Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain has many potential causes. Some types of shoulder pain are acute, meaning they affect the patient for a short time before getting better. Others are chronic, meaning they continue causing pain for weeks or years at a time. Kurdali Spine & Pain treats both acute and chronic shoulder pain, including the following conditions:
Muscle Strains
A muscle strain, also called a pulled muscle, is a stretch or tear in muscle fiber. Strains are often caused by overexertion – for example, lifting an object that is too heavy. They can also be caused by blunt trauma and overuse. Strains can be mild to severe, ranging from mild upper arm pains and tenderness to serious damage that causes muscle weakness and loss of movement.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis refers to inflammation in a tendon, or the cord of tissue that connects a muscle to a bone. Over time, repeated movements, such as excessive ball throwing or overhead lifting, can cause tendons to become inflamed. Degenerative disorders like arthritis can also cause inflammation. Tendonitis results in stiffness, swelling, and pain. It often occurs along with bursitis.
Bursitis
Bursitis refers to inflammation in one or more bursae. While bursae help to reduce friction in the shoulder, they can be susceptible to damage from friction. Repeated pressure will irritate the bursae, causing them to swell. Like tendonitis, bursitis is caused by overuse of the shoulder and can make continued activities difficult. It often occurs alongside tendonitis.
Rotator Cuff Injuries
A rotator cuff injury is a severe strain, sprain, or tear in the rotator cuff. If the shoulder is subject to a sudden movement or blow that forces the joint outside of its normal range of movement, then the ball of the humerus may tear through the muscles and tendons that hold it in place. Rotator cuff injuries may also be caused by degeneration or wear and tear.
Arthritis
Arthritis, or osteoarthritis, is a degenerative condition that causes breakdown of the cartilage in joints. Over time, cartilage becomes thin and brittle. Its roughened surface creates friction in the joints, and thin patches can no longer cushion the joint sufficiently. Arthritis may also cause bone spurs to develop, causing additional stress and potentially damaging other tissues.
Nerve Impingement
Thick bundles of nerves pass through the shoulders to reach the arms, hands, and fingers. In some cases, inflamed shoulder tissue or a bone spur may create pressure on the nerves. This pinches the nerves, interfering with information as it moves through the body. Nerve impingement can cause tingling, pins-and-needles sensations, numbness, and loss of arm control.
When to Seek Care for Shoulder Pain
Severe or long-lasting shoulder pain needs medical attention. The following indicators suggest pain should be treated by a doctor:
- The arm cannot be raised above the shoulder.
- The shoulder cannot lift its usual weight capacity.
- There is noticeable redness and swelling around the shoulder.
- There is a visible deformity in the shoulder or upper arm.
- The shoulder pain is severe and makes normal activities difficult.
- The shoulder pain does not improve within a few days.
- The symptoms include tingling, numbness, or muscle spasms.
If the patient notices any of the above signs, the pain should not be ignored or treated at home. Professional medical care is essential to achieve long-lasting positive results. Kurdali Spine & Pain provides minimally invasive treatments with no long recovery, helping patients heal quickly and correctly without lasting complications.
How Is Shoulder Pain Diagnosed?
Because shoulder pain has so many possible causes, it is imperative to make an accurate diagnosis before treatment can begin. At Kurdali Spine & Pain, patients are evaluated promptly to provide a diagnosis as quickly as possible. Same-day testing lets patients understand their pain and progress directly into treatment without unnecessary delays.
Shoulder pain diagnosis begins with a physical examination. Dr. Basil Kurdali examines the shoulder for signs of injury, tests its range of motion, and asks questions about the patient’s symptoms. Same-day magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests are available to check for a torn rotator cuff and other soft tissue injuries. Dr. Kurdali can also perform neurological examinations to evaluate and diagnose nerve impingement when patients are experiencing symptoms of a nerve problem.
What Are the Shoulder Pain Treatment Options at Kurdali Spine & Pain?
Once Dr. Kurdali has confirmed the correct diagnosis, he can develop a treatment plan. Patients who visit Kurdali Spine & Pain receive treatment on the same day as their first appointment and diagnosis. Whether they need a medication prescription, physical therapy, or joint injections. Dr. Kurdali ensures that their care begins right away. Treatments offered include:
Home Care
Many treatment plans feature guidance for home care. Dr. Kurdali provides advice for reducing pain at home, including activity modifications, resting, and the rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) method. This guidance often supplements other treatments for the maximum benefit.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is among the most common treatments for shoulder pain. It uses targeted exercises and stretches to rebuild strength and improve flexibility in the shoulder. Not only does physical therapy relieve pain, but it also stabilizes the shoulder to reduce the risk of reinjury.
Medications
To manage pain in the short term, Dr. Kurdali may recommend medications. He evaluates the patient’s pain and helps them decide whether over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or prescription drugs are most appropriate.
Joint Injections
Serious pain and nerve issues are treated with joint injections. These deliver strong anti-inflammatory medication directly into the painful shoulder. Relief kicks in within a few days and can last for up to a month, giving damaged tendons and nerves time to heal.
Why Choose Kurdali Spine & Pain?
Patients who struggle with shoulder pain can get relief when they visit Kurdali Spine & Pain, founded by Dr. Basil Kurdali. Dr. Kurdali is a board-certified pain management doctor with extensive experience in treating pain. His training enables him to provide accurate diagnoses and advanced treatments for patients in pain, helping them achieve the relief they need. He provides same-day treatment so patients go home with less pain than they had when they arrived.
Dr. Kurdali emphasizes non-surgical care. He does everything he can to keep patients out of surgery, helping them find relief without an expensive medical procedure and a lengthy recovery that may not provide results. If surgery is necessary, he also has a network of specialists whom he trusts to deliver the highest quality of surgical care.
Get Shoulder Pain Relief Near You in New Jersey
Do not let shoulder pain limit your lifestyle. Get relief by visiting Kurdali Spine & Pain. Led by Dr. Basil Kurdali, we provide a full range of non-surgical relief options for neck, back, nerve, muscle, and joint pain, helping patients get back to pain-free living. Contact us today to learn more about our process and options for treatment or to schedule an appointment at one of our locations near you in New Jersey.
Shoulder Pain FAQ
When is shoulder pain actually coming from the neck?
Referred shoulder pain refers to pain that originates in the neck. Symptoms such as tingling, pins-and-needles sensations, or numbness in the arms or hands may indicate referred pain caused by radiculopathy (a pinched nerve).
When is medical imaging recommended for shoulder pain?
Medical imaging is recommended when shoulder pain has not improved after four to six weeks. It is also recommended when the patient is experiencing symptoms that may be caused by a rotator cuff tear or by nerve impingement.
What insurance does Kurdali Spine & Pain accept?
Kurdali Spine & Pain works with all major insurance carriers, including Medicare. We discuss options with patients and help them understand their coverage options.
