Shoulder Pain Doctor in Gallatin, TN

Orthopedic doctors, who specialize in musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, are knowledgeable and experienced in identifying, diagnosing, and treating different types and levels of shoulder pain. 
 
At your appointment, your doctor will converse with you about the symptoms that you’ve been experiencing and perform a full physical evaluation to test the mobility and functionality of the shoulder. They may also order additional testing, such as an X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI, to help identify the type and severity of the issue.
 
Some types of shoulder pain can be corrected with non-surgical treatments, such as anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and cortisone injections. However, if these more conservative methods don’t improve your condition or reduce your pain, your specialist may recommend a surgical alternative.

The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body which unfortunately makes it more vulnerable to injury and other medical conditions.

The most common causes of shoulder pain are:
 
– A broken bone.
– A torn rotator cuff.
– Arthritis in the joint.
– Bone spurs.
– Bursitis.
– Frozen shoulder.
– Inflammation.
– Nerve injury.
– Overuse or injury of tendons in or around the shoulder.
– Poor posture.
– Shoulder dislocation.
– Shoulder separation.
 
In some cases, you may experience shoulder pain as a result of another condition and/or injury. This is known as referred pain and can be a complex issue to navigate without the assistance of a medical specialist.

Diagnosing the root cause of your shoulder pain can be a complex process and one that can rarely be done without assistance from a medical professional.
 
Your doctor will help you get to the bottom of your shoulder pain by doing a thorough medical evaluation. This includes a physical exam, testing your strength and range of motion, and scheduling diagnostic imaging as needed. Types of imaging that can help your doctor diagnose your shoulder pain are X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans, EMGs, and arthroscopy.
 
Once the cause of your pain has been identified, your physician will prescribe you a treatment plan to get you back on the road to health.

While some forms of shoulder pain will subside with time and at-home care, other types will require medical intervention from a doctor and/or specialist.
 
If you have one or more of the following symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor: 

– Difficulty sleeping due to the pain.
– Intense or radiating pain.
– Limited mobility in the shoulder prevents you from doing day-to-day activities.
– Persistent shoulder pain that hasn’t subsided after 1-2 weeks. 
– Shoulder pain that isn’t responding to at-home treatments and/or over-the-counter medication.
– There is an abnormality or deformity in your shoulder and/or arm.
– You’ve had a previous dislocation of your shoulder.
– Your shoulder snaps, clicks, or pops when you move it.
 
If your shoulder pain is accompanied by difficulty breathing and/or tightness in the chest, call 911 immediately as this be indicative of a heart attack. Heart attacks require serious, immediate attention and you never hesitate to issue an emergency call if you suspect that you may be having one.
 
The team at Southern Sports Medicine Institute knows exactly how debilitating shoulder pain can be and how it can affect your day-to-day life. Contact us today for more information about our shoulder pain treatment options or book an appointment online at your earliest convenience. We serve patients from Gallatin TN, Nashville TN, Cottontown TN, Graball TN, CCastalian Springs TN, LaGuardo TN, and surrounding areas.