Shoulder Pain
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Newhope Joint and Spine
Phuong Q. Tien, MD
Pain Management located in Westminster, CA
If chronic shoulder pain is interfering with your job or making you miss out on physical activities, you can find help at Newhope Joint and Spine. At the Westminster, California, pain management clinic, experienced physician Phuong Q. Tien, MD, offers conservative and minimally invasive solutions for resolving shoulder pain and protecting your joint health. Find out more about your options for treating shoulder pain by scheduling a consultation online or by calling Newhope Joint and Spine today.
Shoulder Pain Q & A
What causes shoulder pain?
Your shoulder is a complex joint that gives you a wide range of mobility. This joint is held into place by a group of muscles known as your rotator cuff. These muscles make it possible for you to throw a ball, brush your hair, or lift your hands high up over your head.
Tears in the rotator cuff are a common cause of chronic shoulder pain. You may also experience chronic pain from conditions like:
- Dislocation
- Tendon tears
- Joint inflammation
- Nerve compression
You may also develop chronic pain in your shoulder joint due to rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, two of the most common forms of arthritis. In rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy joint tissue, breaking it down and causing pain.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that wears away the protective cartilage that covers the ends of the bones that make up your shoulder joint. Without this protection, bones rub together and cause pain and limited mobility.
How is shoulder pain diagnosed?
Diagnosing the cause of your shoulder pain requires a review of your medical history and a physical exam. Dr. Tien also listens to your symptoms and tests your shoulder’s range of motion to identify potential causes of your pain.
If she suspects pain is the result of joint disease or dysfunction, Dr. Tien may order imaging tests, like X-rays, to get a closer look at your joint structure.
How is shoulder pain treated?
Your treatment plan for shoulder pain depends on the cause of your pain and the severity of your condition. If you have persistent pain due to muscle strains or a rotator cuff tear, you may initially need to use ice and heat therapy and take over-the-counter medications.
If this isn’t enough to improve your range of motion and ease pain, Dr. Tien may recommend injections of anti-inflammatory and anesthetic medications directly into your joint. Injectable nerve blocks can also be beneficial for reducing pain caused by compression on your nerves.
If you have a severe tear in your rotator cuff or if your joint degeneration is advanced, Dr. Tien may refer you for surgery to repair the muscles or replace the damaged joint.
You can expect comprehensive care for your shoulder pain at Newhope Joint and Spine. Dr. Tien customizes your treatment to provide you with both short-term and long-term relief of pain.
Find out which treatment is right for your shoulder pain today by calling Newhope Joint and Spine or by booking a consultation online now.
