Shoulder Pain

When shoulder pain limits what you can do, you don’t have to push through it. MU Health Care offers expert care to help you move comfortably again.

Shoulder pain can make everyday movements difficult, whether it’s from an injury, overuse or a condition causing stiffness and discomfort.

When your shoulder isn’t moving well, it can get in the way of everything from job tasks to the activities you enjoy most.

At MU Health Care, our shoulder specialists diagnose and treat everything from common injuries to the most complex shoulder conditions. We’ll help you find a treatment so you can move more comfortably and get back to what you love.

What Does Shoulder Pain Feel Like?

You may feel shoulder pain in different ways, including:

Difficulty moving your arm
Dull aching pain
Sharp pain
Stiffness
Weakness

You might feel pain in one or more areas:

Deep in the shoulder joint
Back of the shoulder
Front of the shoulder
Upper part of the arm

Causes of Shoulder Pain

The shoulder is one of the most injured joints during falls, accidents and sports.

There are many conditions and injuries that cause shoulder pain, including:

Broken arm or collarbone
Bursitis
Dislocated shoulder
Frozen shoulder
Osteoarthritis
Overuse injury
Pinched nerve
Rotator cuff tear
Shoulder impingement
Shoulder instability
Superior labrum, anterior to posterior (SLAP) tear
Tendonitis

With many potential causes of shoulder pain, identifying the root issue is the first step to finding the right treatment.

How We Diagnose the Cause of Shoulder Pain

Finding relief starts with identifying the cause of your shoulder pain. We take the time to listen, understand your symptoms and learn how it impacts your daily life. At your first appointment, our team will:

Review your medical history.
Discuss any treatments you’ve tried.
Perform a physical exam to check flexibility, range of motion and pain triggers.

Advanced Diagnostic Tools for Shoulder Pain

We may use imaging, like X-rays, MRI or CT scans, to examine your shoulder, tendons, nerves and tissues to pinpoint the source of your pain.

MU Health Care provides leading-edge technology and expert specialists to diagnose even the most complex conditions.

Because shoulder pain can stem from a pinched nerve in the neck, we assess this possibility. With clear answers, we can create the right treatment plan from the start.

How We Treat Shoulder Pain

At MU Health Care, we know shoulder pain can disrupt everything from work to your weekend activities. That’s why we create treatment plans for your lifestyle and goals.

Our team works together with specialists across fields to personalize your treatment. Whether through nonsurgical options or advanced surgical care, we can help you get back to feeling like yourself.

Nonsurgical Treatments for Shoulder Pain

Depending on your condition, treatment may include:

Rest: Limiting movement gives your body time to heal. A splint, brace, ice or heat may help reduce pain.
Injections: Targeted medications can relieve pain and inflammation, often with same-day availability for quick relief.
Medications: NSAIDs and other medications can help with pain, swelling and inflammation.
Physical therapy: Stretches and exercises help improve flexibility and strength.
Injury prevention: Small adjustments to your workspace or daily activities can reduce strain and prevent pain from returning.

Shoulder Surgery

If nonsurgical treatments aren’t enough, MU Health Care offers the most advanced shoulder surgery in the region.

Our specialists treat everything from ligament and tendon repairs to complex shoulder conditions. Doctors across the region trust us to handle the most advanced cases in the area.

As orthopaedic researchers, our surgeons stay at the forefront of minimally invasive techniques and advanced recovery options, including outpatient shoulder replacements.

We specialize in advanced shoulder procedures, including:

Shoulder replacement (conventional and reverse)
Arthroscopic rotator repair
Arthroscopic labral repair
Frozen shoulder surgery
Fracture and dislocation repair
Shoulder revision surgery

If you need a shoulder replacement, we use state-of-the-art technology to get you the best possible results. We use CT scans to map your joint and can create 3D-printed shoulder replacement parts for custom implants as needed.