Shoulder Pain

You depend on your shoulders far more often than you might realize. Your shoulders allow you to lift and carry heavy items, as well as swim and play basketball, tennis, and many other sports. This includes everyday tasks like putting on a shirt or reaching for a coffee cup in the kitchen cabinet.

All of these activities require healthy, functioning shoulders with a full range of motion. If you are no longer able to do these things without pain, it’s time to see a shoulder specialist like Dr. David Hovis at The Shoulder Institute at ORTHOKnox.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

Possible causes of shoulder pain range from minor, acute conditions that heal themselves with rest, time, and appropriate self-care measures to severe, degenerative conditions that will only continue to worsen unless appropriate medical care is obtained.

Some of the most common causes of shoulder pain include:

When You Should See a Doctor

If your shoulder pain is not getting better, is severe, or is restricting your daily activities – it’s time to see a doctor. Continuing to use an injured shoulder can make the damage worse and may even cause more trauma to surrounding tissue, which can lead to permanent damage.

Because the shoulder is one of the body’s largest, most complex joints, make sure you choose a shoulder specialist skilled at properly diagnosing and treating shoulder pain. Dr. Hovis will use the therapeutic approach most appropriate for you, whether that involves conservative treatment or surgery.

Treatment Options for Shoulder Pain

In some cases, medications (such as over-the-counter NSAIDs or corticosteroid injections) can be used to help reduce swelling and relieve pain caused by inflammation. This may be enough to stop the cycle of pain and allow your shoulder the time it needs to properly heal.

In other cases, surgery may be necessary to relieve your symptoms and restore the use of your shoulder.

Most often, Dr. Hovis utilizes minimally invasive surgical procedures that require smaller incisions, thus preserving healthy surrounding tissue. This way, you recover faster and with less post-op pain and scarring.

Dr. Hovis will create a treatment plan that addresses your specific needs in the most effective and least invasive manner possible.

What About Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy can be an essential component of your recovery from shoulder injuries, shoulder conditions, or shoulder surgery. Because every injury, surgery, and patient is unique, our approach to physical therapy is highly customized. Our physical therapists create personalized rehabilitation programs designed to return you to sports, work, and an active lifestyle as quickly and safely as possible.

Physical therapy at The Shoulder Institute at ORTHOKnox is located on-site at our Knoxville location to ensure you can conveniently receive all the medical care you need in one place.

Shoulder Pain Relief in Knoxville and Athens, TN

If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, you have treatment options. To schedule an appointment to determine which treatment options may be appropriate for you, call Dr. David Hovis at The Shoulder Institute at ORTHOKnox at (865) 251-3030.