5 reasons to see an orthopedic shoulder specialist near you

Your shoulder is one of the most complex and hardworking joints in your entire body. It allows you to reach up, swing, throw and perform countless daily tasks. This incredible range of motion also makes it vulnerable to injury and pain. 

When you start having trouble with your shoulder, whether it’s a nagging ache, a sharp pain or stiffness that keeps you up at night, it can quickly interrupt your life. Simple things like reaching across the car or pulling a shirt over your head can become frustrating challenges. 

You may be tempted to ignore shoulder pain, hoping it will just get better with rest. Sometimes it does, but often, the problem gets worse. If your shoulder pain is lingering, limiting your activities or getting more intense, it can be a sign that you need specialized care. 

That’s where an orthopedic shoulder specialist comes in. This expert has deep, focused knowledge of the shoulder joint, including the bones, muscles, tendons and nerves. They’re trained to pinpoint what is causing your pain, which is the most important first step toward recovery. 

5 reasons to see an orthopedic shoulder specialist near you

Here are several important reasons to consider scheduling a visit with an orthopedic shoulder specialist, sooner rather than later:

1. You have pain that won’t go away. 

The clearest sign that you need a shoulder specialist is persistent pain. This isn’t soreness that fades quickly. This is pain that lasts for weeks or months, or keeps coming back every time you try to use your arm normally.

• Chronic discomfort — If your shoulder aches most of the time, especially when you try to lift your arm or reach behind your back, it may signal a deeper issue. 

• Night pain — Pain that wakes you up or keeps you from sleeping on one side is a red flag, often suggesting a tendon injury or inflammation. 

A shoulder specialist can identify whether the pain is coming from your rotator cuff, the joint itself or a nearby nerve, leading to a more tailored and effective treatment plan than general care can provide. 

2. You’ve lost significant strength or movement. 

If you suddenly find that you can’t lift your arm as high as you used to, or if you can’t lift heavy objects, you need specialized attention. This loss of ability can stem from one of two common problems: 

• Weakness

A tear in a rotator cuff tendon is a frequent cause of sudden or growing weakness. These tears can range from small to complete and require expert evaluation. 

• Stiffness or “frozen shoulder”

A condition called adhesive capsulitis can cause the shoulder joint capsule to thicken and tighten, severely limiting your ability to move your arm in any direction. This requires very specific, gentle treatment. 

In either case, waiting too long can make the problem harder to fix. A shoulder specialist can do tests to measure your strength and range of motion to identify the cause of your limitation. 

3. You feel instability or a catching sensation. 

When you move your arm, do you ever feel like your shoulder may pop out of joint, or do you hear or feel a noticeable clicking, catching or grinding sensation? These symptoms may point to issues with the stability of the joint or the cartilage. 

• Instability

This often happens after a shoulder dislocation or trauma, but it can also be chronic. It means the head of the arm bone is slipping out of the socket, usually due to damage to the ligament or the labrum, the ring of cartilage. 

• Grinding or catching

A catching feeling can mean a piece of torn cartilage, like a labrum tear, or a loose piece of bone is getting pinched inside the joint. 

These issues are generally too complex for basic care and need the detailed assessment of a shoulder expert to prevent further damage. 

4. You’ve sustained a direct injury.

If your shoulder pain is the result of a specific incident, like falling off a ladder, getting tackled or a car accident, you should seek specialized care right away. Trauma can cause significant damage that needs prompt and careful treatment. 

Common traumatic injuries requiring a specialist can include:

• Fractures

Fractures of the shoulder include breaks in the upper arm bone, humerus, or the collarbone, clavicle. 

• Acute rotator cuff tears

A sudden, complete tear that causes immediate, severe pain and inability to lift the arm. 

• Dislocations

When the arm bone pops completely out of the socket, it’s called a dislocation. Even after the bone is put back in place, a shoulder specialist is needed to check for surrounding damage. 

Seeing a shoulder specialist helps ensure that you receive the correct evaluation and proper immobilization or immediate surgery if needed. This prompt attention helps set you up for the best possible outcome. For orthopedic-related emergencies, please seek urgent care from our partners at Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute. 

5. You need help with postsurgical recovery.

If you’ve already had shoulder surgery, whether it was for a rotator cuff repair, labral repair or a joint replacement, the recovery process is just as important as the surgery itself. 

A shoulder specialist will work closely with your surgeon to help guide your rehabilitation. They understand the specific recovery protocols for different types of surgery and know exactly when to push for more improvement and when to hold back. This collaborative, expert care is essential to: 

• Restore range of motion

Restoring your range of motion allows you to safely get your arm moving again without retearing the repaired tissue. 

• Rebuild strength

Rebuilding your strength helps to ensure that the muscles around the joint are strong enough to protect your shoulder long-term. 

• Maximize function

Maximizing your shoulder function helps you get back to doing all the activities you love, from working out to playing with your kids. 

Trust your shoulder recovery to Performance Rehab

At Performance Rehab, we pride ourselves on providing personalized physical therapy treatment plans designed to help patients meet their recovery goals. We’re ready to listen to your story, assess your movement and create a customized approach to help you restore your shoulder strength and range of motion. Don’t let shoulder pain continue to hold you back. 

From injury prevention to elite-level performance, we tailor every treatment to your unique needs. Request an appointment or contact us to join the thousands who trust Performance Rehab to help them perform at their best.