When to See an Orthopedic Doctor for Shoulder Pain

That nagging ache in your shoulder just won’t quit. You’ve tried ice, rest, and those pain relievers sitting in your medicine cabinet. Still hurting? It might be time to visit us at the Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Center. Our medical team specializes in a vast array of upper extremity services — from comprehensive shoulder care and advanced arm treatments to complex limb restoration procedures and physical therapy. Let’s explore when your shoulder pain warrants a visit to one of our orthopedic specialists so we can address your discomfort and get you moving again.

Common Origins of Shoulder Pain

Your shoulder is one of the most complex joints in your body. It allows for amazing mobility, but this flexibility comes with a price — vulnerability to various injuries and conditions.

Many people start experiencing shoulder pain due to everyday activities. Reaching for something on a high shelf, painting a ceiling, or throwing a ball can trigger discomfort. Sometimes, the pain develops gradually through repetitive motions or disease; other times, it happens suddenly after a specific incident.

No matter the cause, our orthopedic specialists can help. Over the years, we’ve helped treat patients with common conditions that resulted in shoulder pain, such as:

• Rotator cuff tears: These occur when the tendons connecting your shoulder muscles to your upper arm bone tear partially or completely. Rotator cuff tears often result from repetitive overhead motions or sudden injuries.
• Bursitis: This involves inflammation of small fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the bones, tendons, and muscles near your joints.
• Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendons around the shoulder joint creates this painful condition.
• Frozen shoulder: This condition involves stiffness and pain that typically worsens over time before eventually resolving.
• Arthritis: The breakdown of cartilage within your shoulder joint leads to painful bone-on-bone contact.
• Shoulder instability: This happens when the ball part of your shoulder joint moves out of the shoulder socket.
• Fractures: Breaking bones in your shoulder area, including your clavicle or upper arm bone, causes significant pain.

Signs You Should Reach Out to an Orthopedic Specialist

Shoulder pain doesn’t always require medical attention, but certain symptoms suggest it’s time to consult an orthopedic doctor. Let’s explore these warning signs:

Persistent Pain Lasting More Than a Few Weeks

The occasional twinge that disappears quickly generally isn’t cause for concern. However, shoulder pain lasting several weeks deserves professional attention. This persistent discomfort might indicate an underlying problem that needs proper diagnosis and treatment.

Limited Range of Motion

Finding yourself unable to lift your arm above your head? Have trouble reaching behind your back to fasten a bra or tuck in a shirt? These limitations suggest something structural might be wrong with your shoulder joint.

A healthy shoulder allows smooth movement in multiple directions. When this mobility decreases, it often signals issues like rotator cuff tears, frozen shoulder, or arthritis affecting the joint.

Sudden, Severe Pain After an Injury

Experiencing sharp, intense shoulder pain following a fall, sports injury, or accident requires prompt evaluation. Sudden trauma can cause serious damage to your shoulder components:

• Dislocations (where the ball pops out of the shoulder socket)
• Fractures of the shoulder bones
• Acute rotator cuff tears
• Labral tears (damage to the cartilage rim surrounding your shoulder socket)

Weakness or Instability in the Shoulder

Does your shoulder feel like it might “give way” during certain movements? Do you lack the strength to perform simple tasks like lifting a gallon of milk? These symptoms often indicate structural problems within the joint.

Weakness frequently accompanies rotator cuff injuries, while instability typically suggests ligament damage or recurring dislocations. Both merit professional assessment.

Pain That Worsens at Night or While Resting

Sleep disruption due to shoulder pain represents a classic sign of certain conditions, particularly rotator cuff problems. If lying down intensifies your discomfort or prevents restful sleep, an orthopedic specialist should evaluate your situation.

This nighttime aggravation happens because lying on the affected shoulder increases pressure on irritated tissues. Additionally, inflammatory conditions often worsen during periods of inactivity.

Swelling, Redness, or Warmth Around the Joint

Visual changes around your shoulder joint shouldn’t be ignored. Swelling, redness, and increased warmth might indicate inflammation or infection requiring immediate medical intervention.

These symptoms suggest an active inflammatory process that needs proper diagnosis and management before it worsens.

Clicking, Popping, or Grinding Sensations

Strange noises during shoulder movement sometimes indicate mechanical problems within the joint. While occasional cracking sounds happen normally, persistent clicking, popping, or grinding sensations accompanied by pain warrant investigation and may require orthopedic surgery.

These sounds might reveal conditions like:

• Labral tears
• Loose bodies within the joint
• Damaged cartilage
• Bone spurs

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Some shoulder symptoms require emergency care rather than waiting for a regular appointment. Head to an emergency room if you experience:

• Severe pain following a major injury or fall
• Visible deformity of the shoulder
• Inability to move your shoulder whatsoever
• Severe swelling or bruising
• Shoulder pain accompanied by chest pain or pressure (which might indicate a heart issue rather than a musculoskeletal problem)
• Signs of infection like fever, extreme tenderness, and redness spreading from the shoulder

Delaying care in these situations risks permanent damage or serious complications.

Shoulder Pain? Don’t Wait for It to Get Worse! Make an Appointment Today

Do you experience persistent shoulder pain? We know that life gets busy, but putting off treating symptoms could lead to a more serious shoulder injury. Get the holistic care you deserve by reaching out to our team of orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists at the Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Center. We take your concerns seriously and do everything in our power to bring you relief. No matter if you require care for a sprain or a complete shoulder replacement, we have a range of effective treatment options for all kinds of shoulder problems.