When pain and/or swelling occurs in the shoulder, it should be evaluated by a qualified orthopedic doctor. The exam should include a medical history, physical exam and imaging. X-rays, ultrasound and an MRI will often be needed to identify the cause of shoulder pain.
A specialist can provide conservative treatments that may alleviate shoulder pain and restore full range of motion. However, sometimes surgery is necessary.
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Pain
If you can’t use your shoulder because it’s painful or weak, you need to see a doctor right away. They’ll ask you about your past injuries and then do a physical examination. They’ll feel for tenderness and bruising and test your shoulder’s strength and range of motion.
They may order an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of your shoulder to get detailed pictures of the bones and soft tissue inside your joint. You might also need to have a nerve conduction study to show whether the pain is being caused by pinched or irritated nerves.
It’s normal to feel sore after a shoulder injury, but persistent pain that doesn’t improve with rest, ice and over-the-counter pain relievers is an indication you need to see a specialist.
Swelling
Swelling is a natural bodily response to injury or irritation, but it can also be a sign of a serious underlying health condition. If the swelling gets worse over time or doesn’t respond to at-home treatments, it’s important to contact your healthcare provider immediately.
An orthopedic shoulder specialist may recommend RICE—rest, ice, compression and exercise—to help alleviate pain, inflammation and swelling. They may also suggest medications and physical therapy to speed up your recovery.
If your injury involves a labrum tear, an orthopedic surgeon will perform more advanced tests to pinpoint the cause of the problem. They may also prescribe steroid injections to reduce inflammation and pain. If the damage is severe, they may recommend surgery to repair the tear. A labrum tear may develop from repetitive overhead arm motions, such as in sports that involve throwing.
Numbness
If you experience numbness in the shoulder area that persists and interferes with your daily activities, schedule an appointment with a doctor. It may be an indicator of a more serious injury and a condition such as frozen shoulder or rotator cuff tendinitis.
Numbness is typically associated with nerve compression or damage. It can affect one side of your body, or a specific region such as your legs, feet, hands, fingers, or arms. It can range in severity from mild to severe and be accompanied by pain, weakness, or paralysis.
Treatments typically include rest, avoiding activities that make the numbness worse, and ice therapy to improve circulation. NSAID medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), can also help relieve pain.
Loss of Range of Motion
The shoulder is a large ball-and-socket joint where three bones meet: your arm bone, your collarbone, and your shoulder blade. In this complex joint, the bones are supported by muscles, tendons, and ligaments that work together to allow you to move your shoulder normally without pain.
A loss of the normal range of motion of your shoulder is a sign that you should seek medical care. This may make it difficult to do activities like putting on a coat or reaching overhead.
Your doctor will examine your shoulder and ask you about your past health history and symptoms. They may need x-rays or other tests, like an MRI, to see the cause of your shoulder pain. Often, a shoulder injury is caused by a problem in the ligaments, muscles, or tendons around the shoulder joint, not the bones.
Joint Deformity
Your shoulder blade connects to your collar bone and upper arm bone with ligaments, including the acromion and coracoclavicular (CC) ligaments. If these ligaments are damaged, your shoulder may appear deformed or droop and you may have pain when trying to move the shoulder.
The shoulder also has small fluid-filled sacs called bursae that cushion and protect bones, tendons and muscles. Shoulder bursitis occurs when these sacs become inflamed, causing pain and swelling in the shoulder.
A physical examination and x-rays are usually the first step in finding the cause of your shoulder pain. Once the problem is diagnosed, your doctor can provide a range of conservative treatments, from rest to injections to physical therapy. If conservative treatment isn’t effective, your doctor may recommend surgery.
