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Shoulder Pain Specialist

Woodlands Center For Special Surgery

Hand Surgeon & Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Specialists located in The Woodlands and Willis, TX

Shoulder pain comes in many varieties, so you may have a deep, constant ache that you’re tempted to ignore or a sudden, severe pain that leaves no doubt you need medical attention. No matter what type of shoulder pain you experience, Dr. Mark Ciaglia, DO, and Dr. William J. Jordan, MD, at the Woodlands Center for Special Surgery in The Woodlands and Willis, Texas, have the expertise to alleviate your pain and help prevent ongoing instability. To schedule an appointment, call the office directly or book an appointment online today.

Shoulder Pain Q & A

What causes shoulder pain?

Your shoulder consists of three joints supported by a group of muscles, ligaments, and tendons that are faced with the challenge of stabilizing the shoulder while also allowing full range of motion.

Since your shoulder is the most mobile joint in your body, it’s susceptible to problems that cause shoulder pain, such as:

  • Tendonitis
  • Bursitis
  • Rotator cuff injuries
  • Tendon rupture
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Dislocation
  • Impingement syndrome
  • Frozen shoulder

Shoulder fractures, another common cause of shoulder pain, may involve the collarbone (clavicle), the top of the upper arm bone (humerus), and the shoulder blade (scapula).

What is the rotator cuff and how is it injured?

The rotator cuff isn’t one structure, but a group of four muscles and their associated tendons that are responsible for stabilizing your shoulder joint.

These soft tissues are often damaged due to daily wear and tear, repetitive stress, bone spurs, and an acute injury caused by falling or lifting a heavy object.

What is shoulder instability?

When you dislocate your shoulder, the supporting ligaments are weakened and the cartilage may be torn. This damage leads to joint instability, which in turn makes it more likely you’ll experience another dislocation.

You can also develop shoulder instability when the ligaments loosen due to a repetitive overhead motion. This type of movement often occurs in sports such as swimming, tennis, and volleyball.

Chronic shoulder instability causes pain, repeated shoulder dislocations, and the ongoing sensation that your shoulder feels loose and weak.

How is shoulder pain treated?

Your doctor at the Woodlands Center for Special Surgery develops a treatment plan based on the underlying cause and severity of your pain. Your treatment may include activity modification, temporary immobilization, and physical therapy to rehabilitate the joint.

Some shoulder problems, such as rotator cuff injuries and tendonitis, benefit from treatment with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. Your doctor makes PRP in the office by taking a sample of your blood, then separating and concentrating the platelets.

When PRP is injected into your injured shoulder, the platelets naturally stimulate the production of new cells to repair damaged tissue. PRP also reduces inflammation and accelerates healing.

If your symptoms don’t improve with conservative treatment, your doctor may perform an arthroscopy to visually examine the joint and repair tissues.

To receive expert treatment for your shoulder pain, call the Woodlands Center for Special Surgery or book an appointment online today.