Shoulder Pain Treatment in Lexington, KY
Reaching overhead, sleeping on one side, lifting a grocery bag: the most mobile joint in your body has the longest list of ways to hurt.
Where does shoulder pain come from?
The shoulder trades stability for range of motion, and it pays for that trade. Most of the shoulder pain that walks through our door traces to one of a few sources: rotator cuff tendon problems (including calcific tendinitis), impingement, frozen shoulder, joint degeneration, and injuries from exercise or auto accidents. And a significant share is not from the shoulder at all, but referred from the neck and upper back. Each source gets a different plan, which is why the examination comes first and covers the neck as well as the joint.
How do we treat shoulder pain?
- Shockwave therapy for tendon-driven cases: chronic rotator cuff tendinopathy and calcific tendinitis are among its best-studied targets.
- Class IV laser to calm inflammation in and around the joint and support tissue repair between sessions.
- Joint and spine care for the neck and upper back when the shoulder is paying for a problem that lives somewhere else.
- Corrective exercise to rebuild the strength and mechanics that keep the shoulder stable, so relief holds after care ends.
When should I get a shoulder examined?
Track any shoulder symptom closely. Pain lasting more than a week, pain that intensifies at night, trouble lifting a hand above shoulder height, difficulty carrying objects, swelling or bruising, and clicking or catching in the joint all warrant an examination. Small shoulder problems become large ones when the joint keeps working through them, and early care is consistently simpler than late care. If the examination finds structural damage that belongs with an orthopedist, you get that answer plainly, with a referral.
Frequently asked questions
What usually causes shoulder pain?
The usual suspects are rotator cuff tendon problems, impingement (a tendon pinched under the bony roof of the shoulder), frozen shoulder, arthritis in the joint, and pain referred from the neck. A significant share of "shoulder" pain is actually a neck or upper back problem wearing a disguise, which is why the examination covers both.
Can shockwave therapy help a rotator cuff problem?
Chronic rotator cuff tendinopathy, including calcific tendinitis, is one of shockwave's best-studied uses: the treatment restarts the stalled healing response in the tendon and can help break down calcium deposits. The examination confirms the tendon is the source before shockwave is recommended.
How do I know if my shoulder pain is serious?
Pain that lingers past a week, pain that wakes you at night, trouble lifting your hand overhead, visible swelling, or clicking and catching in the joint all warrant an examination. A shoulder that cannot move at all, or pain after a fall or collision, should be evaluated promptly.
Why examine my neck for a shoulder problem?
The nerves that supply the shoulder exit the spine at the neck, and irritation there routinely refers pain to the shoulder region. Treating the shoulder when the neck is the source wastes everyone's time, so the exam sorts out where the pain actually originates before a plan is built.
When does a shoulder belong with an orthopedic surgeon?
A full-thickness rotator cuff tear, an unstable shoulder that dislocates, or structural damage after trauma belongs with an orthopedist. The examination screens for exactly those findings, and when your case needs a surgeon, you will hear that plainly, with a referral.
Stop working around your shoulder.
An examination finds the source, and the plan is measured from day one. New patients are welcome.