Shoulder Pain Specialist

Cascade Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Center, P.C.

Orthopedic Surgery & Foot and Ankle Surgery located in Hood River, OR & The Dalles, OR

Shoulder pain is often crippling and can prevent you from completing simple, everyday tasks. At Cascade Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Center, P.C. in The Dalles and Hood River, Oregon, board-certified orthopedic surgeon Gregory Stanley, MD, MBA, FAAOS, and his exceptional team diagnose and treat the root cause of shoulder and elbow pain to restore the structure and function of your joints. Call the office to learn more about your options or schedule an appointment online today.

Shoulder Pain Q&A

What is shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain is an uncomfortable feeling in your shoulder joint, which connects your upper arm to your torso – the joint consists of ligaments, cartilage, bones, muscles, and tendons. Shoulder injuries can negatively affect your everyday life, but help is within reach at Cascade Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Center, P.C.

What does shoulder pain feel like?

Shoulder injuries and pain may appear as:

Sharp pain
Dull aching discomfort
Burning pain
Tingling
Swelling
Redness
Warmth
Bruising
Decreased range of motion
Limited shoulder mobility
Inability to lift your arm above your head

At the first sign of severe or ongoing shoulder discomfort, see the providers at Cascade Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Center, P.C. for an evaluation.

What are common causes of shoulder pain?

If you develop shoulder discomfort, it could be because of one or more of the following:

Rotator cuff injuries
Shoulder instability
Dislocation
Frozen shoulder
Tendonitis or tear
Shoulder and Acromioclavicular (AC) joint separation
Biceps tendonitis
Biceps tear
Bursitis
Arthritis
Fractures
Osteoporosis
Age-related wear and tear

Shoulder injuries can happen because of playing contact sports, getting injured at work, falling down, lifting something heavy, or having a chronic disease. Lack of regular exercise and shoulder weakness increase your risk of shoulder injuries and pain.

What are common causes of elbow pain?

Common causes of elbow pain include tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, elbow bursitis, golfer’s elbow, tendon tears, dislocation, and fractures.

How does my provider diagnose the cause of shoulder pain?

To find the root cause of shoulder or elbow pain, Dr. Stanley discusses your symptoms and medical history with you. He evaluates your joints to look for signs of diseases and injuries. He may recommend that you complete blood tests, MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, ultrasounds, or other imaging procedures to diagnose your condition and develop a treatment plan.

How is shoulder pain treated?

Depending on the cause and severity of your shoulder pain, Dr. Stanley could recommend one or more of the following:

Home remedies

Things you can do at home to alleviate shoulder discomfort include using hot or cold packs, wearing a brace or sling, and resting the affected joint.

Physical therapy

Seeing a physical therapist is one of the best ways to strengthen your shoulder joint, speed up healing, and reduce pain and the risk of future injuries.

Medication management

Taking certain medications can reduce shoulder and elbow pain, swelling, and the risk of future tissue deterioration.

Injections

The team at Cascade Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Center, P.C. offers steroid, stem cell, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and hyaluronic acid injections to enhance healing and reduce shoulder or elbow discomfort.

Surgery

If you have ongoing elbow or shoulder pain, Dr. Stanley could recommend that you undergo surgery to repair tissues, diminish pain, and restore joint structure and function.

Dr. Stanley offers shoulder arthroscopy, shoulder rotator cuff repair, labrum tear repair, total shoulder replacement, shoulder stabilization repair, nerve decompression, elbow arthroscopy, distal biceps tendon repair, and other highly effective procedures.

Don’t suffer through elbow or shoulder pain when you don’t have to. Call the Cascade Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Center, P.C. office to schedule an appointment or book one online today.

What we offer