Shoulder Pain

The shoulder joint consists of the clavicle (collarbone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the humerus (upper arm bone) as well as associated muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The shoulder joint, also known as the glenohumeral joint, is the main joint of the shoulder, but can also include the acromioclavicular (ac) joint. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that surround the shoulder joint and stabilize it. The muscles of the rotator cuff are supraspinatus, subscapularis, infraspinatus, and teres minor. The shoulder is mobile to allow wide range actions of the arms and hands, but also stable enough to allow for actions such as lifting, pushing, and pulling. Unfortunately, the increased mobility of the shoulder also makes it more prone to injury.

Pain in the shoulder may be due to a variety of reasons including pain coming from the joint itself of referred pain from surrounding structures including the cervical spine (neck). Pain may also be related to inflammation, physical trauma, and/or general wear and tear. Our office can perform evaluations to determine the cause of discomfort and provide the appropriate treatment.