Shoulder Pain

LA Pain Doctor

Pain Management Specialists located in Metairie, Laplace, Harvey, New Orleans, and Luling, LA

Repetitive, overhead arm motions often cause shoulder injuries, but daily wear and tear can just as easily lead to shoulder pain. When you need relief from shoulder pain, Firas Hijazi, MD, and Satvik Munshi, MD, at LA Pain Doctor draw from a wide range of physical, pharmaceutical, interventional, and regenerative therapies, creating customized treatment plans that target your underlying problem. To learn more about your options, book an appointment online or call one of the offices in Metairie, LaPlace, Harvey, or New Orleans, Louisiana.

Shoulder Pain Q & A

What causes shoulder pain?

Everyday arm movement alone can strain the muscles and tendons that stabilize your shoulder joint. Any extra stress your shoulder endures due to repetitive movement and athletic activities further increases your risk of injuries and pain.

Some of the most common causes of shoulder pain include:

Arthritis
Rotator cuff tear
Biceps tendinitis
Rotator cuff tendinitis
Impingement
Frozen shoulder
Labrum tear
Fractures

Inflammatory conditions like bursitis also frequently cause shoulder pain.

Will I have symptoms in addition to pain?

Shoulder pain and difficulty moving your arm go hand in hand. As you stop using your arm due to the pain, the rotator cuff tightens, which further restricts movement. And then the tight muscles often increase your pain.

What type of treatment relieves shoulder pain?

Your initial treatment depends on the cause and severity of your shoulder pain. You may need to change your activities or temporarily immobilize your shoulder to give the tissues time to heal.

Ligament and tendon tears may need surgical repair to ensure they heal properly and you regain optimal strength. As soon as possible following your initial treatment, you’ll start rehabilitation to gradually restore strength and movement.

As your shoulder heals, your provider at LA Pain Doctor may recommend platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. PRP is obtained from your own blood so you don’t need to worry about side effects.

When your provider injects PRP directly into the damaged tissues, the platelets release growth factors that accelerate healing, regulate inflammation, and recruit stem cells that regenerate new muscles, tendon, and other tissues.

If you need help with severe or chronic shoulder pain, the team at LA Pain Doctor offers several types of interventional therapies, such as:

Steroid injections
Steroids significantly reduce inflammation when injected into the shoulder joint.
Radiofrequency ablation

Using radiofrequency energy administered through a narrow needle, your provider at LA Pain Doctor precisely wounds the nerve transmitting pain signals to your brain. The wound blocks nerve signals so your brain doesn’t get the message and your pain is significantly reduced. Radiofrequency ablation often leads to long-lasting pain relief.

Peripheral nerve stimulation

Your provider places a wire-like electrode along the nerve responsible for your pain. The electrode sends out a mild electrical impulse that masks or blocks the nerve signal.

If you need relief from acute or chronic shoulder pain, call LA Pain Doctor or schedule an appointment online.