Shoulder Pain Specialist

What is shoulder pain?

Your shoulder consists of multiple joints, tendons, and muscles that provide your arm with an extensive range of motion. Slick cartilage and fluid-filled sacs called bursae act as cushions between the bones of your shoulder. Damage to any of these parts can lead to shoulder pain.

What causes shoulder pain?

Rotator cuff injuries are a leading cause of shoulder pain. The rotator cuff is a group of tendons that allows you to lift and rotate your arm. Rotator cuff tendons can become inflamed, called tendinitis, or they can stretch and tear.

Other shoulder pain causes include:

• Arthritis
• Bursitis
• Fractures
• Dislocations
• Impingement
• Instability
• Labrum tears

Shoulder injuries can happen suddenly, like after a bad fall, or they can develop gradually and worsen over time.

How is shoulder pain treated?

At Ascend Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Mammen thoroughly examines your shoulder and reviews your medical history. Then, he discusses the best treatment options for your particular type of shoulder pain. Depending on the cause, shoulder pain treatment may include:

Steroid injections

Steroid injections can provide quick and effective relief from shoulder pain and inflammation. However, the improvement may be temporary.

Hydrodilatation procedure

This procedure begins with an anesthetic injection that relieves pain for up to several hours. After your shoulder is numb, Dr. Mammen injects a high-volume solution of sterile saline, steroid, anesthetic, and X-ray dye to stretch restricted tissues and ease inflammation. 

You may want to take an over-the-counter pain reliever to reduce discomfort after this procedure.

Intra-articular injections

Intra-articular injections are common treatments for arthritis. These injections may include corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, local anesthetics, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

Bursa injection

Bursa injections can be diagnostic or therapeutic. Using X-ray or ultrasound guidance, Dr. Mammen injects medicine into or around the bursa, which is a fluid-filled sac in your shoulder.

Regenerative medicine

PRP and stem cell therapy use components of your own blood or donor tissue to speed up healing and reduce pain.

MLS laser therapy

Multiwave Locked System (MLS) robotic class IV laser therapy is state-of-the-art technology that uses light energy to stimulate cellular regeneration and promote healing in a safe, painless, and noninvasive procedure.

For complete care of shoulder pain, call Ascend Regenerative Medicine or request an appointment online today.