Symptoms and evaluation
Symptoms may include pain with overhead activity, night pain, weakness, stiffness, catching, loss of motion or pain that travels into the upper arm. Evaluation focuses on the pattern of symptoms, shoulder motion and strength, and may include X-rays, ultrasound or MRI when appropriate.
Treatment options
Treatment depends on the diagnosis and severity. Nonsurgical options can include activity modification, physical therapy, medication when appropriate and selected injections. Surgery may be considered for conditions such as symptomatic rotator cuff tears, advanced shoulder arthritis, labral or biceps pathology, or persistent mechanical problems that have not improved with appropriate nonsurgical care.
Recovery and return to activity
Recovery varies substantially depending on the diagnosis and treatment. Rehabilitation is tailored to restore motion, strength and function while protecting healing tissue when surgery is performed.
When to seek evaluation
Persistent pain, numbness, weakness, loss of motion, deformity or symptoms that interfere with sleep, work or daily activities are reasonable reasons to seek an orthopedic evaluation. Urgent injuries with severe deformity, open wounds or compromised circulation require prompt medical attention.
Common questions
Shoulder pain is a symptom rather than a single diagnosis. Rotator cuff disease and shoulder arthritis are common causes, but biceps, labral, joint and nerve conditions can produce overlapping symptoms.
Specialized upper-extremity care
Dr. Devin W. Collins is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in hand, upper-extremity and microvascular surgery. Treatment recommendations are individualized to the diagnosis, severity, goals and needs of each patient.