Chronic shoulder pain can limit your ability to carry out physical tasks and make daily life uncomfortable. Unfortunately, the shoulder is a complicated joint, and many conditions and accidents can impact it. If you're considering shoulder repair or another form of treatment, first use the guide below to narrow the possible causes of your pain.

Why Might You Be Experiencing Shoulder Pain?

1. Arthritis

If you're experiencing shoulder pain as you age, you may have arthritis. This is an especially likely culprit if you've never faced a shoulder injury before. While surgical shoulder repair can address this type of pain, many non-surgical options can also help, including physical therapy and daily stretching.

2. Frozen Shoulder

A frozen shoulder is caused by inflammation in the lining of the shoulder's joint, which limits your range of motion and makes movement painful. That's because the inflamed lining tightens the shoulder capsule, causing pain when it's moved. This condition can usually be addressed with temporary prescriptions to relieve the pain and stretching exercises to improve the range of motion. In some cases, surgery may be needed to loosen the shoulder capsule.

3. Sports Injuries

Those who play tennis, basketball, baseball, and other sports that put heavy strain on the shoulder joints are at a higher risk of injury. The rotator cuff can be irritated by athletic activity and eventually tear, which will result in throbbing pain. In early stages, rotator cuff tendonitis and bursitis can be treated with ice and rest, but if a tear occurs, physical therapy and surgical shoulder repair may be needed.

If you have shoulder pain that won’t subside, get a professional opinion at Orthopaedic Associates of Rochester in New York. Their team of physicians and surgeons is skilled at diagnosing and treating joints, bones, and the musculoskeletal system. To learn more about their services or set up an appointment to discuss shoulder repair, call (585) 723­-3000.