Chronic shoulder pain can be caused by several different types of acute or repetitive trauma injuries. Although there are some nonsurgical treatments for chronic shoulder pain, surgery may be required when these and physical therapy fail to heal the joint. Here are three reasons you might need surgery for chronic shoulder pain.
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Rotator cuff injuries are the most common source of chronic shoulder pain. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that creates a kind of cap over the shoulder joint. The rotator cuff is responsible for the shoulder being able to move in the way that it does as well as keeping the arm attached to the shoulder joint. While rotator cuff injuries are typically first treated with physical therapy to promote healing and strengthening, severe tears in tendons or muscle could require surgery.
Impingement Syndrome
Impingement syndrome is inflammation of the tendons of the shoulder’s rotator cuff. Impingement syndrome may be treated with nonsurgical means. But if these are ineffective, surgery may be required. In this surgery, damaged and inflamed tissue is removed in the area above the shoulder joint. This surgery can also be done with arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure.
Shoulder Instability
If the shoulder joint is not stable for any reason, you will likely need to have surgery to correct the problem. Shoulder instability is usually marked by chronic shoulder pain, but it also has symptoms such as weakness in the joint or the joint moving in a way that it shouldn’t (such as dislocation). Shoulder instability can be a huge problem that should be addressed.
If you have chronic shoulder pain, we can help. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment for a complete exam and diagnosis.