17 Signs You Should Visit Your Shoulder Doctor Today

Your shoulders are some of your most mobile and flexible joints. That’s why it’s understandable that they’re also some of the most commonly injured body parts.

See an orthopedic doctor for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan if you’re dealing with shoulder pain. But how do you know when your condition is severe enough to warrant a trip to your healthcare provider? Let’s talk about these signs and where you can for comprehensive orthopedic care in Plantation, FL.

When to See Your Shoulder Doctor

Here are 17 signs that it’s time to visit your shoulder doctor:

1. You’ve been dealing with shoulder pain for more than a week.
2. The pain is getting worse.
3. You have trouble moving your arm or reaching overhead.
4. Your arm feels weak.
5. You have numbness or tingling in your arm or hand.
6. You have a loss of range of motion in your shoulder.
7. You have a deformity in your shoulder.
8. Your shoulder pain is keeping you up at night.
9. You injured your shoulder in a fall or accident.
10. You have diabetes, cancer, or another chronic health condition.
11. You’re over the age of 50.
12. You recently had surgery on your shoulder or another part of your body.
13. You’ve been participating in a new activity or sport that puts stress on your shoulder.
14. You have a job that requires repetitive motions of your arm and shoulder.
15. You play a musical instrument that involves using your shoulder a lot.
16. You have arthritis or another inflammatory joint condition.
17. You’ve been taking steroids for another condition, and your shoulder pain has worsened.

Why Should You Visit Your Shoulder Doctor

See your doctor for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan if you’re experiencing the above shoulder symptoms. That is especially true if the pain is severe or interferes with your daily activities.

These symptoms may mean you have an underlying condition that needs treatment, such as arthritis or a rotator cuff tear.

Only your shoulder doctor can give you a definitive diagnosis and recommend the best procedure.

Diagnosis

Your shoulder doctor will take a look at your complete medical history and ask about your symptoms. They’ll also do a physical examination of your shoulder.

This test may involve moving your arm in different positions to see the source of pain.

In some cases, your doctor may order some imaging tests, such as an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan, to get a better look at your shoulder. They can help rule out other conditions that may be causing your symptoms.

Treatment

Treatment for shoulder pain will vary depending on the cause. Simple home remedies, such as ice, rest, and over-the-counter pain relievers, may suffice in some cases.

If your shoulder pain is more severe, your doctor may recommend physical therapy. It will help stretch and strengthen the muscles around your shoulder joint.

They may also recommend corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation.

Surgery may be necessary in severe cases to repair damaged tissue or bones in your shoulder. However, doctors usually only recommend it if other treatments haven’t worked.

Prevention

You can do several things to lower your risk of developing shoulder pain. These include:

• Exercising regularly to maintain flexibility and strength in your shoulder muscles
• Wearing proper support when participating in sports or other activities that put stress on your shoulders
• Using good posture and lifting techniques to avoid straining your shoulders
• Taking breaks often if you have a job that requires repetitive arm and shoulder motions
• Avoiding activities that require you to overexert your shoulder muscles
• Warming up before participating in any activity that uses your shoulder muscles

Consider working with your doctor if you have a chronic health condition, such as diabetes or arthritis. That way, you can keep it under control to prevent shoulder problems.

The Best Shoulder Doctor Near You in Plantation, FL

Do you need the best shoulder doctor near you? Look no further than Baylis and Brown Orthopedics. Our board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons, Dr. Baylis and Dr. Brown, can provide you with the best care possible.

To learn about our comprehensive shoulder services, you may call our friendly staff at (954) 476-8800. You may also use our convenient and secure online request form to schedule a consultation with our orthopedic doctors.

We look forward to serving you!