Shoulder Pain
The word “shoulder” is used to describe a joint that's really made up of a number of different parts, primarily the scapula (shoulder blade), humerus (upper arm bone) and clavicle (collar bone). The tendons and muscles that hold these joints together give you the mobility you need to do everything from swinging a golf club to throwing a touchdown pass.
All that activity takes its toll, though. Neck pain and shoulder pain can knock you out of your game indefinitely unless you seek help from a sports and pain management team in Manhattan to provide the best shoulder pain treatment in NYC.
Shoulder Pain NYC — SPIN Sports Pain Specialists
Ready to get relief from shoulder pain?
Same-day shoulder pain appointments available.
The Main Causes of Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain can result from any number of main issues:
- Instability
- Broken bone
- Tendonitis
- Torn tendon
- Bursitis
- Pinched nerve
- Arthritis
- Sprain
- Frozen shoulder
Bursae are the fluid-filled sacs in your shoulder that allow flexibility by preventing bones from rubbing up against each other. Bursitis happens when that sac just plain wears down, usually from overuse.
Tendons wear down as well and can eventually lead to tendonitis. Tendonitis is either acute, from a sudden tear or accident, or as chronic pain in the shoulder, often leading to arthritis. Most cases of right shoulder pain and left shoulder pain from wear and tear are due to osteoarthritis, which often begins to appear in middle age and worsens as you get older.
What Are The Symptoms Of Shoulder Pain?
Depending on the underlying cause, shoulder pain can manifest in various ways. Some of the most common symptoms of shoulder pain include:
Diagnosing Your Shoulder Blade Pain
Your physician needs to get a complete picture of your pain to properly diagnose the cause and come up with a shoulder joint pain treatment plan. He needs to know when the pain first started, how bad it gets, when it's worse and what makes it feel better.
Before coming up with your treatment for shoulder pain, your doctor checks for:
Tests for a more accurate diagnosis may include:
X-rays
MRI or CT scan
Nerve function tests
Arthrogram
An arthroscopy may be in order if no conclusive results are found. It's a minor surgical procedure during which your doctor places a fiber-optic camera through a tiny incision to get a closer look at the inside workings of your shoulder. He can see things that don't show up on x-rays and sometimes, he can even correct the problem during the procedure.
Shoulder Muscle Pain Treatment
You may be familiar with the rotator cuff, which is a group of muscles and tendons that surround your shoulder on each side. Rotator cuff injuries are common, especially for athletes and those who do physical work every day. A rotator cuff tear or repetitive motion wear-and-tear can lead you to seek relief from a pain treatment specialist in Manhattan.
Ready to find relief from shoulder pain?
Dr. Melepura's Midtown Manhattan clinic offers same-day appointments for evaluation and treatment.
Emergency Shoulder Joint Pain Treatment
Some healthcare providers suggest that left shoulder blade pain is a symptom of a heart attack. But even if you have right shoulder blade pain, you could be having a serious health emergency. Don't worry about whether it's right shoulder pain or left shoulder pain; seek immediate care if the pain in the shoulder is accompanied by:
How Long Does Shoulder Pain Last?
How long your shoulder pain lasts can vary depending on the underlying cause and the severity of the injury or condition. Acute shoulder pain, which is typically caused by an injury, can last for a few days to several weeks. In some cases, the pain may subside within a few hours or days with rest and pain relievers. Chronic shoulder pain, which is usually caused by an underlying medical condition such as arthritis, can last for weeks, months, or even years.
Treatment for shoulder pain is tantamount to maintaining your activity levels. Whether you have an accident or chronic condition, you could end up with permanent immobility, weakness or stiffness without shoulder muscle pain treatment. Don't put off a doctor's appointment if you're in pain.
Real Stories from our Patients
Dr. Febin Melepura, MD
Double Board-Certified Pain Specialist
Meet Dr. Febin Melepura — Your Shoulder Pain Specialist in NYC
Dr. Febin Melepura, MD is a double board-certified interventional pain management specialist and the founder of the Sports Pain Institute of New York. He completed his residency and fellowship training at New York Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia University Medical Center, one of the nation's leading academic medical centers.
He holds dual board certifications from the American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Board of Pain Medicine, and has treated more than 7,500 patients and performed over 5,250 procedures throughout his career. He has been named a Top Pain Management Doctor in New York and one of America's Top Doctors™ by Castle Connolly.
Dr. Melepura's approach to shoulder pain is rooted in precision: identify the exact source, treat it with a targeted injection or procedure, and get you back to your daily life as quickly as possible.
Ready to Book an Appointment?
Same-day appointments available. Call (212) 621-7746 or book online.
What Our Shoulder Pain Patients Say
"Able to make an appointment to see Dr. Melepura on short notice… attentive to my concerns… Jazmin was also very kind and helpful."
"Excellent hospitality, listener and explainer… highly recommend the doctor and the place."
"Dr. Melepura is the best! He worked with me to find the optimal solution to my shoulder pain while I was preparing for a fight!"
"Lovely, bright and modern… doctor and staff were kind… felt my concerns were heard."
"Helpful and friendly staff who gladly follows up with you if and when needed. Dr Melepura was very helpful and professional as well as provided me with excellent information and feedback."
"Dr Febin is fantastic! Highly recommend him and his practice the Spin clinic. The doctor is a good listener, kind, attentive and gave me great advice. "
"Dr.Melepura was very efficient and interpersonal, felt like he was understanding the problems I was having and explained the processes to take to rehabilitate. I would recommend."
"I felt listened to and truly understood by Dr. Melepura. Started PT the very next day. They were very friendly and I didn't feel rushed at all. Already recommended them to my friends who have or continue to play through pain."