Chronic Shoulder Pain Treatment and Recovery Options

Chronic Shoulder Pain Treatment and Recovery Options

Health and Fitness August 24, 2015

Shoulder pain comes in a variety of types and all of them can be detrimental to your quality of life. Arthritis is a very common issue, so if you have arthritis pain in shoulder symptoms, you are not alone. Your doctor can give you advice on how to handle arthritis pain in shoulder and arm. They might suggest things like medication, heat, and exercise to help relieve the pain. Sometimes this can reduce the arm shoulder pain left side, but other times you might need more help.

With arthritis in back between shoulder blades, you might need to see a specialist. This might include doctors and physical therapists. Frozen shoulder therapists can give you more treatment and recovery help than your general care doctor can. You might also see doctors who can help you specifically with arthritis. Different doctors will have different suggestions for you, so don’t feel like you can only talk to one. Instead, get a well-rounded idea of how to treat your shoulder pain and keep it from coming back again in the future.

Hip surgery

If you live with chronic pain, you are not alone. A recent study shows that 1.5 billion people across the world suffer from constant pain in some part of their body. About one-half of working adults cope with back pain. At least one in every four adults function with the discomfort of painful arthritis. About 2 million people each year develop new painful shoulder issues that require medical intervention.


The good news is, in the case of shoulder issues, advancements in occupational medicine make it unnecessary to live with the pain. If you currently have constant pain as a result of a shoulder injury, the following information could significantly improve your quality of life.

When to Consult an Orthopedist Chronic Shoulder Pain
Getting treatment for shoulder issues as early as possible is essential for the best chances of recovery. Untreated shoulder pain can cause bigger problems that are more difficult to fix. Some shoulder problems are a result of an injury like falling, but sometimes the muscles in the shoulder just wear out over time. So even when you did not do something to hurt yourself, it’s still important to visit a doctor if you are experiencing pain in your shoulder. If your shoulder pain fit into any of these categories, you should schedule an appointment with a doctor:

  • Your unexplained pain has lasted more than a few weeks.
  • Your symptoms are causing weakness and reduced functionality.
  • You had an acute injury that caused your shoulder pain.

Options For Your Shoulder Pain That Don’t Involve Surgery
Many shoulder injuries can be healed or strengthened using nonsurgical methods. Your doctor may want to schedule an MRI to assess the extent of your injury and determine if it can be treated without surgery. Some nonsurgical treatments include:

  • Anti-inflammatory medication to reduce the inflammation on the rotator cuff in your shoulder.
  • Steroid injections into the problem area to relieve the pressure.
  • Physical therapy to strengthen and heal the weakened or damaged muscles.

While nonsurgical treatments will help you regain functionality in your shoulder, keep in mind that if you lead an active lifestyle, surgery is the most common shoulder treatment in sports medicine.


At What Point is Orthopedic Shoulder Surgery the Best Option?

You may find orthopedic shoulder surgery to be the best treatment plan for your injury if:

  • Your shoulder pain has persisted for longer than 6 months.
  • Nonsurgical treatments such as medication and physical therapy have not improved your condition.
  • Your MRI shows a tear in your shoulder’s rotator cuff greater than 3 centimeters.
  • Your daily activity involves raising your arm above your head.

If you believe orthopedic shoulder surgery is the best option for your injury, a consultation with an orthopedic surgeon will help you determine the most effective treatement.


Recovery and Follow-up Care Necessary After Orthopedic Shoulder Surgery
The length of recovery after orthopedic shoulder surgery depends on the extent of the injury. You may need to wear a sling for a week or more and avoid strenuous activity for a month or two.


Physical therapy is also a critical part of rehabilitation after orthopedic shoulder surgery. Your injury probably caused the muscles to atrophy and weaken. It may take several months of a physical therapy regimen to regain complete use of your shoulder.


Have you ever experienced a shoulder injury that required medical treatment? What treatment plan did you follow and how effective was it? Please leave us a comment with your experience.