Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
By By Daniel Milam, D.O., Orthopaedic Surgeon
Your shoulder is a combination of bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles that provide a large range of motion in common every day tasks, as well as in advanced athletic performance. Whether you are picking up a heavy grocery bag, or driving the ball 300 yards, an optimal range of motion is key to healthy living. However, our shoulders often become injured with overuse, or acute damage causing stiffness, instability and discomfort.
Occasionally the symptoms and pain come and go, while other times they are chronic and lingering. Dependent upon whether or not the issues are caused by soft tissue, bone or cartilage injury, mobility problems and pain commonly increase with time. Proper medical analysis is ideal to correctly diagnose and treat your shoulder injury to get you back to living the quality of life you desire.
Shoulder Pain is multifactorial and can be related to the rotator cuff, biceps tendon, AC joint, glenohumeral joint and/or labrum resulting in instability, frozen shoulder and more often than not, severe discomfort.
Common Symptoms
With shoulder issues, many people experience pain when reaching overhead, away from their body, or behind their back. Other common complaints include nighttime pain or pain upon waking, fatigue, neck pain and popping or clicking noises in the joints.
Common Causes
. Impingement Syndrome
. Overuse/Repetitive Overhead Activity
. Bursitis
. Bone Spurs
. Rotator Cuff Tears
. Instability
. Tendonitis
. Frozen Shoulder
. Arthritis
. Labrum Tears
. Fractures/Broken Bone
Your Options for Shoulder Pain
Dr. Milam’s treatment approach is focused on joint preservation, quick recovery and safeguarding patients from permanent injuries. Because your options depend on the diagnosis and root cause of pain in your shoulder, Dr. Milam will make a proper evaluation and give you expert advice on your specific treatment options.
Surgery is Not Always Necessary
Because shoulder pain has multiple etiologies, many problems can be treated with a conservative approach without surgery:
– NSAIDS (Anti-Inflammatory Medications)
– Physical Therapy
– Injections
– Activity modification
If You Do NEED SURGERY, You’ve Got Choices
There are traditional surgery and arthroscopic (minimally invasive) surgery options. The good news is if surgery is necessary, it can usually be performed arthroscopically. With Arthroscopic surgery there is generally no muscle detachment, and through a small incision, Dr. Milam will have access to the entire shoulder joint. With proper care and maintenance, long-term outcomes are equal to those of traditional surgery. With this minimally invasive technique, your recovery time is traditionally quicker and much less painful.
Dr. Dan Milam
Born and raised in Bradenton, Florida, Dr. Milam is proud to be back serving his community. He is committed to building relationships with his patients, putting their needs first and providing a full explanation of their injury and all possible treatment options. Building these connections is as important to him as the expert medical care he provides.
To schedule an appointment for a consultation regarding your shoulder pain or other orthopedic issues, please contact our office at (941) 951-1231
