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Your shoulders and elbows are essential to your arms’ functioning and mobility. When the bones, muscles, and tendons in your shoulders and elbows are injured or overused, it can greatly impact your daily life. Our orthopedic specialists are here to help you get to the bottom of your pain and resume your day-to-day activities.

What Causes Shoulder and Elbow Pain?

Pain in your shoulders and elbows can be caused by a variety of factors, such as overuse, trauma, or underlying conditions. Getting the right diagnosis and treatment is essential to keeping the bones, nerves, joints, muscles, and tendons in your shoulders and elbows healthy and moving.

Our orthopedic specialists provide treatments for a wide range of shoulder and elbow conditions, including:

  • Rotator cuff tears
  • Sports injuries
  • Tendinitis
  • Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
  • Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)
  • Cubital tunnel syndrome

What are the Symptoms of Shoulder and Elbow Conditions?

Shoulder and elbow conditions can manifest with a range of symptoms that vary based on the underlying cause. Some common symptoms include locking, grinding sensations, stiffness, swelling, weakness, tenderness, inflammation, limited mobility, as well as a sudden, sharp pain or persistent, dull aches. These symptoms may indicate potential issues in the shoulder and elbow areas, warranting medical attention for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. No matter the cause of your shoulder and elbow pain, putting off treatment may result in long-lasting pain, weakness, and mobility problems.

How is Shoulder and Elbow Pain Diagnosed?

An injury like a fracture or sprain can cause sudden pain, weakness, and instability, while symptoms of a chronic condition develop more gradually. Joint inflammation and tenderness may indicate arthritis, a tendon or ligament injury, or a sprain. A dull ache, weakness, and mobility issues may suggest an overuse injury, like a rotator cuff tear. Orthopedic specialists diagnose shoulder and elbow pain with a physical exam, checking for swelling and limited range of motion. They may also use diagnostic imaging, such as an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to get a closer look at your bones, tendons, and muscles.

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Shoulder and Elbow Pain Treatment Options

Shoulder and elbow pain is treated differently depending on the cause and symptoms. You may find relief with over-the-counter pain medication/anti-inflammatories, rest, and ice, but if at-home treatments aren’t working, talk to your doctor about what your options are.

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Orthopedic Surgeon Explaining X-Ray to Women

Our Approach to Shoulder and Elbow Pain

The multidisciplinary providers at Inspira can help you find relief from your shoulder and elbow pain and get you back to enjoying life. Whether you’re facing an acute injury or chronic pain, our orthopedic specialists can help diagnose and treat your condition. Our providers are experienced in advanced treatments and minimally invasive surgeries to help you recover faster with fewer complications.

Frequently Asked Questions

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