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Shoulder Pain Specialist

Rheumatology Associates Our Services Shoulder Pain

Rheumatology Associates

Rheumatology located in North Hollywood, CA

Whether you play sports or work a physically demanding job, shoulder pain can interfere with your day-to-day activities. At Rheumatology Associates, serving the Greater Los Angeles Area, Sean Wollaston, MD, and Wonil Lee, MD, offer many treatments to ease shoulder pain and restore function to your upper body. The earlier you seek treatment for shoulder pain, the more likely you are to recover completely. To learn more, call Rheumatology Associates in North Hollywood, California, today or schedule an appointment online.

Shoulder Pain Q & A

What causes shoulder pain?

The shoulder is a complex ball-and-socket joint that allows arm movement and provides a wide range of motion. Supporting the joint is a collection of muscles and tendons called the rotator cuff. Damage to any of these tissues or the joint itself can cause chronic shoulder pain that limits your mobility and range of motion.

Common causes of shoulder pain include:

Arthritis

Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that targets the joints. The most common form is osteoarthritis, which breaks down cartilage on the outside of the joint. The autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis (RA) inflames the lining inside the joint.

Tendinitis

Tendons connect muscle to bone. When your shoulder tendons become inflamed or irritated, tendinitis develops. One of the most common kinds of shoulder tendinitis is swimmer’s shoulder (impingement syndrome). This causes the tendon and shoulder blade to rub against each other, aggravating the tendon.

Bursitis

The fluid-filled sacs that cushion your joints are the bursae. They allow your arm to rotate without pain. If you have bursitis, these small sacs are inflamed and irritated, which can limit the mobility of your arm.

Instability

Shoulder instability happens when the top of the arm bone dislocates from the socket. This instability often stems from weakened tendons and muscles around the joint.

Fracture

Fractures are bone breaks that can happen anywhere in the body. A shoulder fracture is most often the result of a catastrophic accident, like a slip-and-fall, car accident, or sports injury.

How is shoulder pain diagnosed?

Shoulder pain is difficult to diagnose without proper testing. At Rheumatology Associates, the team does a complete physical exam and orders imaging scans, like X-rays, MRIs, CTs, and ultrasounds. Depending on your symptoms and medical history, they could also order blood tests.

How is shoulder pain treated?

The Rheumatology Associates team offers several treatments to relieve shoulder pain and prevent re-injury. These include:

  • Anti-inflammatory medication
  • Tissue and joint injections
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation
  • Osteoporosis treatment (Prolia® or Evenity®)
  • Oasis Health supplements


Call Rheumatology Associates today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about diagnosing and treating shoulder pain.

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