5 Types of Shoulder Pain You Shouldn't Ignore

One of the most complex joints in your body, your shoulder has many different parts, all of which are subject to injury or wear-and-tear. The ball-in-socket joint is surrounded by ligaments, tendons, and muscles, each of which can deliver unique types of pain when damaged. Knowing what’s causing your shoulder pain is critical for getting proper treatment.

At The Spine and Sports Center in Sugarland and Houston, Texas, Dr. Benoy Benny and our team can accurately diagnose the cause of your shoulder pain and recommend treatment that fits your issue.

5 types of shoulder pain you shouldn’t ignore

Your shoulder pain may be mild to severe, but the type of pain and accompanying symptoms could be more important clues than just your pain level. Here’s what to watch for when it comes to shoulder pain: 

1. Dislocation

If your shoulder joint looks deformed in any way, and the weird appearance is accompanied by severe pain and rapid swelling, it’s possible you’ve partially or fully dislocated your shoulder. Watch for numbness or tingling into your neck and down your arm, and acute muscle spasms that make your pain worse.

2. Rotator cuff tears

A rotator cuff tear may not hurt at first, but the pain slowly increases over time until it becomes an almost constant dull ache. Watch for pain that gets bad enough that you have trouble sleeping at night, and arm weakness that makes it hard to reach overhead or beyond your back.

3. Bursitis

When the fluid-filled sacs around your joint — known as bursa — get inflamed, they can put enough pressure on your shoulder and collarbone to move bones out of place. With suspected bursitis, watch for a warm burst of pain when you try to move your arm, accompanied by clicking and popping sounds.

4. Frozen shoulder

Persistent pain and stiffness in your shoulder joint can be due to frozen shoulder, which is common among athletes who use repetitive motions like overhand throwing or swatting. Watch for stiffness and pain that won’t go away and get worse when you reach overhead.

5. Arthritis

Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can attack joints and cause significant, chronic pain. Watch for pain that’s accompanied by stiffness and a grinding or grating sensation that could indicate the wearing away of cartilage around your shoulder capsule.

Treating shoulder pain

Dr. Benny reviews your medical history, orders any indicated tests, and works with you to get a clear picture of what your pain is like. If necessary, he waits for images of your shoulder to be taken and processed before laying out your treatment plan. 

Conservative treatment is often the best when it comes to your joints. If your injury is minor, physical therapy is often sufficient to rehabilitate your shoulder joint. In more serious cases, you might need cortisone or steroid injections, or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy.

If you are experiencing shoulder pain that won’t let you sleep or that’s accompanied by any of the symptoms listed above, schedule a consultation with Dr. Benny and his team. You can get in touch by calling the location closest to you or booking an appointment online today.