Shoulder pain and movement problems prevent many active people from doing the things they love. At Denver Sports Medicine and Spine, elite specialists, including Yani C. Zinis, DO, and Raili Donnelly, PA-C, are ready to help you get back in the game using minimally invasive outpatient treatments. To learn about the innovative injections available, please call our office or book your appointment online today.

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What causes shoulder problems?

Some common types of shoulder problems include:

Rotator cuff tears

Rotator cuff tears affect one or more of the main muscles or tendons that help keep your shoulder joint in place and enable smooth shoulder movement.

Arthritis

Arthritis includes joint diseases that can damage various parts of the joint structure. For example, osteoarthritis breaks down the protective cartilage on your bones, and rheumatoid arthritis attacks the joint lining. Many other types of arthritis can affect the shoulder too.

Shoulder impingement

Shoulder impingement occurs when the top of your shoulder blade rubs (impinges) on the tendons in the shoulder’s rotator cuff.

Hypermobility

Hypermobility means that the shoulder joint moves beyond the standard range of motion often without actually popping out of the shoulder socket, exposing tendons to tear more readily.

Multidirectional instability

Multidirectional instability describes a shoulder joint showing excessive laxity in two or more directions, which can impair function.

Subluxation

Subluxation is essentially a partialshoulder joint dislocation. It can be acute (usually after an injury) or chronic (usually due to problems with shoulder ligaments or other issues) and thereby can effect stability.

As the shoulder is a complex joint, some problems happen simultaneously. For example, untreated rotator cuff tears may lead to a specific type of arthritis (rotator cuff arthropathy).

What are the signs that I need shoulder treatment?

Shoulder problems may arise suddenly or gradually. A few of the signs that it’s time to contact Denver Sports Medicine and Spine for help are:

  • Shoulder pain
  • Shoulder pain that shoots down your arm
  • Limited arm movement
  • Clicking sound or sensation when you move your shoulder joint
  • One shoulder being weaker than the other

If you lead an active lifestyle, shoulder problems can be especially disruptive. The team specializes in treating shoulder pain and stiffness so you can get back to the things you love to preent longterm restrictions such as “frozen shoulder.”

How are shoulder problems treated?

Treatment focuses on healing. The goal is a long-lasting solution for your symptoms so you can return faster to what you enjoy.

The team may recommend shoulder joint injections, such as cortisone, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), or allograft tissue injections*.

Injections can provide months of symptom relief. Additionally, the team has an elite roster of physical therapy and surgical colleagues they can refer you to as needed.

Call Denver Sports Medicine and Spine or click on the online scheduler for shoulder help today.

*Some tissue injections are FDA-approved only for the treatment of certain cancers, blood disorders, and immune disorders