Shoulder Pain Q & A What causes shoulder pain?

Your shoulder has a wide and complex range of motion, so when something goes wrong, it can cause a great deal of pain. If you’re suffering from chronic or acute shoulder pain, schedule a visit with Bart Rask, MD, at Hillsboro Orthopedic Group. in Hillsboro, Oregon. Dr. Rask is a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who can help you find relief from your shoulder pain. Book your appointment by calling the office and speaking with a friendly team member.

There are many circumstances that can lead to acute and chronic shoulder pain, but the two most common conditions are impingement syndrome and rotator cuff tendinitis.

Impingement syndrome (also known as swimmer’s shoulder) happens when your rotator cuff rubs against your acromion or gets caught against it. Your acromion is the part of your shoulder blade that covers the ball of your shoulder joint. 

Rotator cuff tendinitis is a condition characterized by inflammation and swelling in your rotator cuff tendons. 

Other causes of chronic shoulder pain include:

• Swollen bursa sacs
• Spinal cord injury
• Heart attack
• Torn cartilage
• Overuse
• Arthritis
• Dislocated shoulder
• Bone spurs
• Torn rotator cuff
• Broken arm bone or shoulder

Referred pain is also a common cause of chronic shoulder pain. Referred pain is a phenomenon where the pain that originates from an injury in one area of your body is felt in a different area of your body. The most common sources of referred pain in the shoulder are bicep problems or neck injuries.

While some shoulder pain might go away over time, there are some situations in which you need to seek medical attention. If your shoulder pain occurs suddenly without any inciting physical injury, you might be having a heart attack. Some of the accompanying symptoms of a heart attack include:

• Trouble breathing
• Dizziness
• Jaw or neck pain
• Tightness in your chest
• Sweating

If you think you’re experiencing a heart attack, visit your nearest emergency room immediately. You should also contact a medical professional if you’ve been experiencing shoulder pain for longer than a week and present any of the following symptoms: 

• Fever
• Tenderness or heat around your shoulder joint
• Bruising
• Difficulty moving your shoulder

If you’re ever in doubt about whether you should seek medical attention, simply call the offices of Hillsboro Orthopedic Group. and speak to one of the knowledgeable team members. They can work with you to determine if you should come in to visit Dr. Rask.

Dr. Rask is highly skilled in working with patients who have shoulder pain, and is well-versed in many surgical and nonsurgical treatments. As a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, he also maintains a special interest in treating shoulder pain and can ensure that your procedure will safely and effectively alleviate your pain.

 Whether your shoulder pain is due to an issue with your rotator cuff, bicep problems, or instability, Dr. Rask can help. Schedule your visit with Hillsboro Orthopedic Group today by calling the office.