Our specialty-trained shoulder doctors at North Louisiana Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Clinic are experts in providing experienced care for patients’ shoulder injuries and conditions.

Shoulder doctors are experts at understanding shoulder problems and the joint itself, which is both flexible and unstable at the same time. Because of this, the shoulder can be damaged and injured in numerous ways. For instance, shoulder doctors often treat people who play sports, such as tennis or baseball, since these activities require heavy use of the shoulder. The solutions shoulder doctors develop must take into account the inner workings of the shoulder joint, as well as the soft tissues surrounding it, like the muscles, tendons, and nerves.

The shoulder blade and rotator cuff are components of the shoulder that can become damaged and cause pain. Shoulder doctors also understand how the shoulder blade and rotator cuff interact with the shoulder joint and know how to offer treatment solutions that will benefit the entire shoulder area.

Shoulder doctors often work with people who have arthritis and need the medical insights and counsel a shoulder doctor can offer. With the help of a shoulder doctor, patients like these and others dealing with shoulder pain can often find relief and a better quality of life.

When It’s Time to Seek Shoulder Care

Take note of the symptoms you are experiencing and communicate those to your doctor so they will have a better understanding of what may be happening. Here are just some of the symptoms that people with shoulder problems typically have:

• Aching
• Cracking or snapping sounds when moving the shoulder
• Decreased range of motion
• Pain that increases at night
• Pain when trying to lie on the shoulder and elbow
• Shoulder looks deformed
• Tender to the touch
• Unable to reach above the head
• Upper arm and elbow pain

Weakness in the shoulder or arm
If any of these symptoms describe your shoulder issue, it’s possible that you may have one of these shoulder conditions or injuries:

• Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)
• Clavicle (collarbone) fracture
• Impingement
• Osteoarthritis
• Rotator cuff tear
• Scapula (shoulder blade) fracture
• Scapula syndrome
• Subacromial bursitis
• Subacromial impingement (swimmer’s shoulder)
• Tendonitis
• Tendon or ligament tear

Shoulder pain can have a negative effect on your life, leaving you unable to complete everyday tasks. If shoulder pain and the underlying condition remain untreated, there is a risk of further injury or damage occurring, which is why it’s imperative to contact one of our shoulder specialists and set up a consultation.