Discover the most common causes of shoulder problems and what you can do about it.
Did you know that the shoulder joint is usually the most injured joint in the body? This is because shoulder joints have the most range of motion compared to other joints, which also makes it the least stable. If you are dealing with shoulder pain and other problems due to overuse or injury our Joliet, IL team of podiatric, spinal, orthopedic surgeons Dr. Joe George, Dr. Rebecca Kuo, Dr. Ryan Pizinger offers a variety of strategies to treat your symptoms and help you heal.
Common causes of shoulder problems include:
- Strains and sprains
- Tension and poor posture
- Tendinitis
- Bursitis
- Separated shoulder
- Torn rotator cuff
- Fractures
- Dislocations
- Arthritis
- Impingement
- Frozen shoulder
- Multidirectional instability
- Labral tears
- Herniated disc
Less common causes of shoulder pain include:
- Infection of the skin or joint
- Calcium buildup within the tendons
- Referred shoulder pain
- Cancer
We see a mix of acute and overuse injuries in our practice and we have the knowledge and tools to be able to treat any and all shoulder problems, whether surgically or non-surgically. Minor injuries and pain may be treated with rest, icing and other first aid treatment options. If you find that your symptoms aren’t responding to home care, or if your symptoms are severe or worsening then it’s time to see one of our orthopedic specialists.
How are overuse injuries and shoulder trauma treated?
Our doctors will need to figure out the root causes of your shoulder issues before mapping out the best course of action. Treatment will be dictated by,
- The length of your injury (acute vs. chronic)
- The severity, type and location of the injury
- Your physical health
- Your physical activities (e.g. sports; working out)
- Your age
If you’ve had shoulder injuries or problems in the past it’s important that you have an orthopedist you can turn to for care whenever you need it most. While simple conservative care such as gentle stretching, pain management and avoiding certain activities can greatly improve overuse and acute injuries, more serious and chronic shoulder trauma may require additional care.
Here at Illinois Orthopedic Institute we offer physical and exercise therapy, steroid injections, and casting and bracing services, as well as surgery to treat a wide range of orthopedic issues including shoulder problems.
Don’t let shoulder pain keep you from hitting the gym and meeting your New Years' resolution goals. Let the team at Illinois Orthopedic Institute in Joliet, Bolingbrook and Channahon, IL, provide you with the proper care you need to heal quickly. Call us today at (815) 741-6900 to schedule an evaluation.