Shoulder Pain
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain is a common orthopedic concern that can make it difficult to lift, reach, sleep, exercise, work, or perform normal daily activities. Because the shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the body, pain can come from many different structures, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, joints, and surrounding soft tissues.
At Suwanee Orthopedic Care, Dr. Nader C. Ghazal evaluates many common causes of shoulder pain, including rotator cuff injuries, tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis, impingement-type pain, sprains, strains, sports injuries, and injury-related shoulder problems.
Our office offers same-day appointments, walk-in availability, and on-site X-rays when needed, helping many patients receive answers and treatment recommendations in one convenient visit.
Understanding Shoulder Pain
The shoulder is a complex joint made up of the upper arm bone, shoulder blade, collarbone, rotator cuff tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and surrounding muscles. It allows a wide range of motion, including lifting, reaching, pushing, pulling, throwing, and rotating the arm.
The location and type of shoulder pain can provide important clues about what may be causing your symptoms. Pain may occur in the front of the shoulder, along the outside of the shoulder, deep inside the joint, near the collarbone, around the shoulder blade, or down the upper arm.
Shoulder pain may develop suddenly after a fall, lift, sports injury, workout, or accident. It may also develop gradually from overuse, repetitive motion, arthritis, poor mechanics, or tendon irritation. Some patients may notice weakness, stiffness, popping, clicking, swelling, limited range of motion, or pain when sleeping on the affected side.
When Should You See a Doctor for Shoulder Pain?
You should consider being evaluated if you are experiencing:
- Persistent or worsening shoulder pain
- Pain after a fall, lift, twist, accident, or sports injury
- Difficulty lifting or reaching overhead
- Pain when reaching behind your back
- Pain that travels down the upper arm
- Shoulder weakness or loss of strength
- Limited range of motion
- Popping, clicking, catching, or grinding
- Pain when sleeping on the affected shoulder
- Swelling, bruising, or tenderness after an injury
- Pain that interferes with work, exercise, sleep, or daily activity
On-Site X-Rays for Shoulder Pain
When appropriate, Suwanee Orthopedic Care can perform on-site X-rays to help evaluate shoulder pain. X-rays may help identify arthritis, fractures, bone spurs, joint space narrowing, alignment issues, calcifications, and other orthopedic concerns.
Having X-rays available in the office allows many patients to get a clearer understanding of their condition without unnecessary delays.
CONDITIONS WE TREAT
Common Shoulder Conditions We Evaluate
Shoulder pain can come from a sudden injury, repetitive use, arthritis, sports activity, or wear and tear over time. Dr. Ghazal evaluates many shoulder conditions, including:
✓ Rotator cuff injuries
✓ Rotator cuff tendonitis
✓ Shoulder bursitis
✓ Shoulder impingement-type pain
✓ Shoulder arthritis and osteoarthritis
✓ AC joint arthritis
✓ Shoulder sprains and strains
✓ Sports-related shoulder injuries
✓ Shoulder pain after a fall or accident
✓ Tendon irritation and inflammation
✓ Limited range of motion
✓ Shoulder weakness
✓ Pain with overhead activity
✓ Popping, clicking, or catching
✓ Chronic or recurring shoulder pain
Shoulder Pain with Lifting, Reaching, or Sleeping
Many patients notice shoulder pain during specific movements, such as lifting overhead, reaching across the body, reaching behind the back, throwing, pushing, pulling, or exercising. Others may feel pain at night, especially when lying on the affected shoulder.
These symptoms can be related to tendon irritation, rotator cuff problems, bursitis, arthritis, joint inflammation, or injury-related changes. Because shoulder pain can have several possible causes, a proper orthopedic evaluation can help determine where the pain is coming from and what the next appropriate step should be.
What to Expect During a Shoulder Pain Visit
During your visit, Dr. Ghazal will review your symptoms, how long the pain has been present, whether an injury occurred, and which movements make the pain better or worse. He will examine the shoulder, assess range of motion, strength, tenderness, stability, and function, and determine whether X-rays or additional imaging may be needed.
Because every shoulder condition is different, recommendations depend on your diagnosis, exam findings, imaging results, medical history, activity level, and recovery goals.
Our goal is to help identify the cause of your shoulder pain, explain your condition clearly, and recommend the next appropriate step for care.
Same-Day Shoulder Pain Care in Suwanee, GA
Suwanee Orthopedic Care provides shoulder pain evaluation and orthopedic care for patients in Suwanee and surrounding communities, including Duluth, Johns Creek, Sugar Hill, Buford, Lawrenceville, and the greater Atlanta metro area.
If shoulder pain is limiting your ability to lift, reach, exercise, sleep, work, or perform daily activities, our office can help evaluate your symptoms and discuss treatment options.
Call today or visit our office for same-day shoulder pain care when available.
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