As one of the largest joints in your body, your shoulder is subject to numerous types of damage. Shoulder pain is common among the men and women who rely upon the sports medicine specialists at Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine in Westfield and West Orange, New Jersey. Relief is possible, but the process starts with a face-to-face consultation, so call or book your visit online today.
For appointments, call us or book online at any of our convenient locations in Middletown, Morristown, Ridgewood, Westfield, and West Orange.
Why is shoulder pain so common?
Your shoulder is one of the largest joints in your body and is actually a group of several joints. If you’re like most, you probably don’t think about your shoulders until a problem arises and joint function is compromised.
A traumatic or sports injury can lead to sudden shoulder pain, but usually, the cause is less dramatic. Repetitive stress and strain on the shoulder joint can create tendon inflammation and joint instability.
Arthritis damages your shoulder joint by creating inflammation. Less common causes include fracture, cancer, infection, and nerve-related problems.
Because you use your shoulders throughout each day, even minor pain gets your attention. When that pain intensifies, it can interfere with your daytime and nighttime routines.
What treatments can improve shoulder pain?
One approach involves temporarily reducing shoulder pain. Cortisone shots and trigger point injections are examples of short-term pain relief. These injections work by delivering a corticosteroid and/or local anesthetic into the damaged joint.
These injections can provide short-term relief, but they can also harm your joints over time. They are best used as a temporary treatment while you pursue physical therapy or longer-lasting regenerative options.
If your shoulder pain is due to tendonitis, the team might recommend percutaneous tenotomy (Tenjet®). This minimally invasive treatment uses an ultrasound-guided catheter and a high-velocity saline solution to remove damaged or diseased tissue from around your shoulder joint.
The team at Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine conducts Tenjet treatment in-office on an outpatient basis. Tenjet typically provides long-term relief from pain within three months.
Which regenerative treatments can improve shoulder pain?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections reduce inflammation and promote new cell growth. Your provider draws a sample of blood and puts it in a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins around and separates small solids called platelets from the rest of your blood.
The platelets, which are full of growth proteins, are then reintroduced to the plasma to create a powerful solution that triggers your body’s natural healing ability. Once injected into your shoulder joint, PRP helps repair damaged tissues.
Another regenerative treatment that can improve shoulder pain is bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC). At the beginning of treatment, your provider extracts a small amount of bone marrow from your pelvic bone.
It’s placed in a processing unit that isolates the mesenchymal cells, growth factors, and platelets. Your provider then injects the BMAC into an arthritic joint. BMAC repairs your damaged joint and eases pain caused by inflammation.
For shoulder pain treatment, call Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine or book a consultation online.
