Shoulder injuries

Shoulder pain can be frustrating. Count on the orthopedic specialists at Montage Orthopedics and Sports Medicine for urgent care of shoulder injuries. We’ll help you move more freely and enjoy your daily activities again.

Bicep tendon injuries

Your bicep muscle in your upper arm helps you bend your elbow and twist your forearm. Bicep injuries can happen in different areas:

• Elbow (distal biceps tendinitis and tear)
• Forearm (tendinitis due to overuse, infection, or rheumatic disease)
• Shoulder (proximal biceps tendon tear)

You might notice bruising, swelling, weakness, fatigue, or pain in your arm. These symptoms make it hard to use your arm normally.

Diagnosis and treatment

Your provider can diagnose a bicep tendon injury through a physical exam, X-ray, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Imaging helps show the severity and type of injury.

Depending on your diagnosis, treatment options may include:

• Rest
• Medication to reduce inflammation
• Physical therapy

If your injury is severe, you might need surgery.

Broken shoulder

Breaks can occur in any of the three shoulder bones: the collar bone, shoulder blade, or upper arm bone (from the shoulder to the elbow). They typically happen because of an injury like a fall or collision.

You may feel intense pain when you move your arm, see bruising or swelling, and be unable to move your shoulder.

Most shoulder bone breaks will heal with:

• Icing
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Sling or shoulder immobilizer
• Physical therapy

If you need surgery for a bad break, a surgeon may secure your bones in place with screws or pins.

Frozen shoulder

You might have frozen shoulder if the joint feels painful and stiff, gets worse over time, and then slowly gets better. This happens when the tissue around your shoulder thickens and tightens, making movement hard. It can take months or even years to fully heal.

There are three frozen shoulder phases:

• Freezing — Pain that slowly gets worse
• Frozen — Less pain, but more stiffness
• Thawing — Slow return of use and motion

Diagnosis and treatment

Your provider can diagnose frozen shoulder through a physical exam, X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI.

Treatment includes:

• Medication
• Physical therapy
• Shoulder manipulation to increase movement

Rotator cuff tears

A torn rotator cuff is a common injury that can happen suddenly or gradually from wear and tear. This injury limits the use of your shoulder. You may find it difficult to do everyday activities.

Diagnosis and treatment

Early diagnosis and treatment of a torn rotator cuff can prevent symptoms from worsening. Rotator cuff tears can be diagnosed with a physical exam, ultrasound, or MRI.

Most torn rotator cuffs don’t need surgery. Your provider may recommend:

• Rest
• Modified activity
• Physical therapy and specialized exercises

Shoulder arthritis

When the cartilage in your shoulder wears down, you develop osteoarthritis. This causes pain and swelling. Shoulder arthritis can affect the ball and socket or the joint where your collarbone meets your shoulder blade. Learn more about arthritis.

With shoulder arthritis, you might experience:

• Stiffness
• Trouble lifting your arm
• Difficulty with everyday tasks
• Less movement
• Grinding or clicking noise when you move your shoulder

Diagnosis and treatment

Your provider can diagnose shoulder arthritis by examining your shoulder and reviewing X-rays or an MRI.

There’s no cure for shoulder arthritis, but many nonsurgical treatments can help you feel better. The most common are:

• Rest
• Medications
• Physical therapy
• Steroid injections

If nonsurgical treatments don’t help, you may need surgery.

Shoulder dislocations

A dislocated shoulder means your upper arm bone has separated from your shoulder socket. Dislocation can happen from a sports injury, fall, or accident.

You may experience serious pain and have swelling or bruising. Don’t try to move your shoulder joint. Apply ice and get immediate medical care.

Treatment

Treatment options can include:

• Closed reduction, in which a medical professional puts your arm bone back into the socket
• Splint or sling to hold the joint still as it heals
• Surgery if your injury is very severe

Shoulder strain

A strain refers to a stretched or torn tendon or muscle. A strain can happen if you keep your shoulder in the same position for too long, carry heavy loads, or sit with poor posture for a long time. Sports that involve overhead arm movements can also lead to shoulder strain.

Diagnosis and treatment

Your provider can diagnose shoulder strain through a physical exam, ultrasound, and MRI.

To help your shoulder heal, your provider may recommend:

• Rest
• Sling to keep your shoulder in place as it heals
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain

Shoulder tendinitis

Shoulder tendinitis means tendon inflammation. It often happens due to overuse or repetitive motions. This condition commonly affects the rotator cuff or biceps tendon. Learn more about tendinitis.

You might feel a dull ache or soreness in your shoulder, especially when lifting or twisting your arm overhead. Other symptoms may include tenderness, pain at night, mild swelling, and a clicking sound when you move your shoulder.

Diagnosis and treatment

Your provider may diagnose shoulder tendinitis by performing a physical exam and reviewing imaging test results.

Treating shoulder tendinitis may involve:

• Rest
• Ice
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain and swelling
• Physical therapy to improve strength and flexibility

If your tendinitis is more severe, you may need steroid injections or surgery.