What causes shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain occurs when the structures that make up the joint suffer an injury or develop a disease. Your shoulder contains three bones; the humerus (upper arm bone), scapula (shoulder blade), and clavicle (collarbone). The bone at the top of your arm becomes ball-shaped – this is the humeral head. It sits in the glenoid, a hollow socket in the scapula.

A set of muscles and tendons (the rotator cuff) hold the humerus in the glenoid and help lift and rotate your arms. Inside the glenoid is a ring of cartilage (the labrum) that keeps the humeral head secure. Because it has such a complex structure and a wide range of motion, injuries to the shoulder are common.

Some of the most widespread causes of shoulder pain include:

• Rotator cuff tears
• Biceps tendinitis
• Shoulder impingement
• Fractures and dislocations
• Labral tears
• Arthritis
• Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
• Shoulder instability

Shoulder pain can also radiate from pinched nerves in your neck due to conditions like herniated cervical discs.

How is shoulder pain diagnosed?

To diagnose your shoulder pain, your provider at Neuropathy and Pain Centers of Las Vegas performs a physical exam and review of your medical history. They check your shoulder for areas of tenderness and ask you to move your arm in different directions to evaluate the joint’s strength and range of motion.

Your provider also performs tests to help find the source of your pain. Neuropathy and Pain Centers of Las Vegas uses NeuralScan and TM-Flow testing systems, which painlessly locate nerve and vascular system problems.

How is shoulder pain treated?

If you have shoulder pain, avoid moving your arms in a way that worsens the pain. You might need to use a sling or splint to immobilize the shoulder. Rest and applying gentle heat or ice packs can ease pain and inflammation.

The Neuropathy and Pain Centers of Las Vegas team starts you on your recovery with noninvasive approaches. These include various types of physical therapy, including therapeutic ultrasound and other passive approaches depending on your condition. They also offer a selection of innovative interventional treatments for shoulder pain.

These include peripheral nerve blocks (numbing injections into the joint), trigger point injections for knotted muscles, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections that help damaged tissues to heal. Neuropathy and Pain Centers of Las Vegas also specializes in using cutting-edge RST-Sanexas neoGEN® electric cell signaling treatment.

For expert relief of your shoulder pain, call Neuropathy and Pain Centers of Las Vegas today or book an appointment online.