Shoulder Injury Treatment
Inova Sports Medicine recognizes the impact a shoulder injury can have on your sport and your life. We can help you get back to your active lifestyle.
Comprehensive care for shoulder injuries at Inova Sports Medicine
Your shoulder is the most movable joint in your body. The ball of the upper arm is larger than the shoulder socket holding it, making the shoulder susceptible to instability and injury. At Inova, we have the training, experience and specialists available to accurately diagnose and treat your shoulder problems.
Our sports medicine program offers:
- Expert team: Our board-certified sports medicine physicians provide a thorough evaluation of your shoulder injury. We are one of the few teams in the region with fellowship-trained physicians, who completed intensive training in sports medicine. Our team also includes orthopaedic surgeons with experience in sports medicine injuries.
- Advanced diagnosis: We are experts in diagnostic imaging, especially musculoskeletal ultrasound services. We can diagnose a wide array of complex shoulder conditions. Then we can get you the treatment you need to feel better and return to your activities.
- Personalized treatment plans: Our treatment plan goes beyond assessing the extent and location of your injury. We also consider your goals for recovery, overall health and personal preferences so we can tailor a plan that suits your needs.
- Comprehensive rehabilitation: Our sports medicine-certified physical therapists and athletic trainers provide individualized rehabilitation for you. For your convenience, you can complete your physical therapy at our expansive facility or at one of our regional locations. Rehabilitation goals include performance improvement training to get you back to your activities stronger and better than before.
- Outreach services: Our outreach program helps you get quick access to our sports medicine specialists for injury diagnosis, recovery and prevention. Find out more about our outreach services.
Learn more about our customized care for patients of all ages:
Shoulder injuries we treat
No two sports injuries are alike. At Inova, we provide individualized support for your shoulder injury, from diagnosis through rehabilitation. Your treatment plan will depend on the cause of your pain as well as your overall health. Treatment may be as simple as rest or require more intensive therapy or surgery.
The most common shoulder injuries we treat are:
Shoulder instability or dislocation
Your shoulder is the most mobile, flexible joint in your body, with a wide range of motion. It is also the most commonly dislocated major joint. Dislocation usually results from a major impact that separates the shoulder's ball from the socket.
Treatment usually involves:
- Gentle movement, called closed reduction, by a physician to guide your shoulder back into place
- Surgery, to fix the torn ligaments, cartilage or rotator cuff
- Immobilization with a sling or splint
- Taking anti-inflammatory pain relievers
- Rehabilitation to improve range of motion and strength
Impingement syndrome
Impingement syndrome, also called shoulder bursitis and rotator cuff tendonitis, is a painful condition that occurs when the rotator cuff gets inflamed. The rotator cuff is a group of small muscles that help support and move the shoulder joint. The rotator cuff can become inflamed from an injury or repetitive overhead motion. It is a common overuse injury for swimmers, rowers, volleyball, baseball and tennis players.
Treating impingement syndrome initially involves limiting the movement that causes pain. Other treatments include:
- Taking anti-inflammatory pain relievers
- Applying Ice to the painful area
- Physical therapy that involves stretching and strengthening
- Steroid (cortisone injection) treatment
Rotator cuff tear
The rotator cuff is a group of small muscles that help support and move the shoulder joint. Aging, overuse or an injury can inflame one or more tendons and cause them to wear down, eventually causing a tear.
Treatment depends on the severity of the injury as well as your symptoms and may include:
- Resting your shoulder
- Applying ice or heat to your shoulder
- Taking pain relievers
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Steroid (cortisone) injections
- Surgery to reattach the tendon to the upper arm bone
Frozen shoulder
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, happens when the connective tissue that surrounds your shoulder joint thickens and tightens, causing pain and loss of motion.
Normally, the fluid in the joint keeps the joint lubricated. If the fluid decreases, bands of scar tissue, called adhesions, can form. Eventually the shoulder “freezes” and becomes immobile, a condition that can last from 6 weeks to 9 months.
Frozen shoulder can take some time to heal. Treatment may include:
- Physical therapy to restore motion
- Taking anti-inflammatory medication
- Steroid (cortisone) injections
- Surgery to manipulate the shoulder or release the tight bands of tissue
Overuse and shoulder strains
When you train intensely or increase your physical activity suddenly, you may strain the shoulder joint and its muscles, tendons and ligaments. This stress to your shoulder can cause loss of flexibility and pain.
Treatment normally includes:
- Resting your shoulder
- Taking anti-inflammatory medication
- Stretching and strengthening exercises
AC joint injuries (shoulder separation)
The acromioclavicular joint, called the AC joint, is where the collarbone meets the acromion, the highest part of the shoulder blade. If you fall directly on your shoulder, it could damage the ligaments that surround the AC joint. The ligaments tear, causing the collarbone to separate from the scapula, or wing bone (the bone at the back of your shoulder). You may experience mild to severe pain, depending on the severity of the force. You may even notice a deformity over your AC joint.
Treatment includes:
- Applying ice
- Using a sling to stabilize the joint
- Over-the-counter pain medications
- Surgery to improve the pain, deformity and shoulder function. Surgery may involve either trimming the collarbone so it does not rub the acromion or reconstructing the ligaments under the collarbone. You will need rehabilitation in order to fully restore your strength and function.
Preventing shoulder injuries
Like many other sports injuries, shoulder injuries often can be prevented. Our sports medicine specialists can help you with different ways to decrease the risk of shoulder injuries.
Make an appointment
For more information or to make an appointment, please call 703-970-6464.