The shoulder is one part of the body that commonly causes aches and pains. That’s because this highly flexible joint gets a workout on a daily basis, even when you least suspect it.
Your shoulder contains a complex system of joints, tendons, and muscles. All of these components create the remarkable ability to perform a wide range of motions, from swinging a golf club or scratching your back to doing your hair or reaching for a dish in a cupboard.
This wide range of motion also comes at a price. Not only are shoulders highly vulnerable to injury, but the structures that give them movement can degenerate with age. Because of this, it’s important to address shoulder pain or problems as soon as they arise to keep them from worsening or turning into chronic issues.
As a highly skilled and experienced orthopedic surgeon in North Palm Beach, Florida, Thomas F. Saylor, MD, can help determine the specific cause of your shoulder pain and outline a personalized course of treatment to ease your symptoms and restore function. He recommends scheduling an appointment at Orthopaedic Care Specialists if you have these shoulder symptoms.
First, it’s important to outline when shoulder pain can indicate a medical emergency. These situations can seem fairly obvious in many cases, such as if you experienced an injury or traumatic event that led to pain.
Additional signs you need emergency care for your shoulder include:
Shoulder pain can also occur during a heart attack, so seek emergency care if you also have chest tightness or trouble breathing.
Even if your shoulder pain doesn’t seem to be a medical emergency, there are still times you should schedule a doctor visit for assessment as soon as possible.
Since shoulder pain does become more common with age, it can be easy to shrug off symptoms as part of getting older. However, Dr. Saylor recommends seeing a specialist as soon as possible, especially if you have redness, swelling, or warmth and tenderness at the joint. That’s because certain shoulder problems can become progressively worse without proper treatment.
Common causes of shoulder pain include:
Unfortunately, many of these shoulder problems share the same symptoms. As a result, you need a thorough diagnostic exam and accurate diagnosis to find the right course of treatment.
The good news is that shoulder pain doesn’t always require surgery. In fact, Dr. Saylor takes a conservative approach to treating shoulder problems whenever possible. These strategies include treatments, such as:
If your pain doesn’t respond to these therapies, Dr. Saylor could recommend minimally invasive shoulder arthroscopy. This advanced surgical approach enables him to perform even the most complex procedures using small incisions. This allows for faster recovery times, fewer risks, and fewer complications.
Do you have shoulder pain? Dr. Saylor can help. To learn more, call 561-292-0148 or book an appointment online at Orthopaedic Care Specialists today.
