If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the following shoulder symptoms or conditions, call the office of Dr. Clint Morris at (830) 895-4466 for further evaluation.
Shoulder pain can be caused by a wide variety of issues, since the shoulder is comprised of several key structures, including tendons, cartilage and bone. The shoulder itself is a ball-and-socket joint, which allows a wide range of movement. Dealing with the problem depends largely on the cause of the pain and its severity. The pain can range from simply moving the shoulder to the inability to lift the arm overhead or feeling weak. Let’s take a look at what are the most common causes to shoulder pain:
Bursitis
Bursitis is a painful condition that affects the small, fluid-filled sacs called “bursae” that cushion the bones, tendons and muscles near your joints. Bursitis occurs when bursae become inflamed and is a common culprit to shoulder pain.
- Causes: The pain can often be blamed as a result of repetitive motion. A few examples could be from repetitive overhead reaching or from sports such as volleyball, basketball and swimming that irritates the bursa and causes inflammation. Bursitis can also develop spontaneously.
- Symptoms: Feels achy or stiff, pain when you move your shoulder or press on it, looks swollen and red
Rotator Cuff Injuries
The rotator cuff is where the four tendons that encompass the ball of the shoulder meet. Injuries to the rotator cuff can cause shoulder pain.
- Causes: Sudden injury, fall, awkward lifting gradual wear and tear, friction
- Symptoms: Shoulder pain, dull ache worse when lifting or twisting arm, weakness, popping and cracking noises
Osteoarthritis
This is the most common type of arthritis and diagnosed when the cartilage protecting the joints degenerate or wears down, becoming stiff and weak and sometimes the joint might appear swollen. You have probably notice that the affected joints might click or creak due to the loss of cushioning from the cartilage and the pain caused by osteoarthritis is often worse at night.
- Causes: Previous shoulder injuries, shoulder dislocation, rotator cuff tears, infection, age, genes
- Symptoms: Pain in the shoulder joint, stiffness and reduced range of motion.
Shoulder Dislocation
A dislocation is when the ball slides out of the socket. This is most commonly caused by an athletic injury or fall.
- Causes: Sports injuries, trauma not due to sports like a car accident, falls
- Symptoms: A visibly deformed or out-of-place shoulder, swelling or bruising, intense pain, inability to move the joint
Frozen Shoulder
If you have frozen shoulder, the inner lining of your shoulder has become inflamed and tight, preventing you from having full motion and also causing pain.
- Causes: Shoulder injury, surgery, various medical conditions, age, gender
- Symptoms: Increasing shoulder pain and stiffness, severely restricted shoulder movements & function
Shoulder Fractures
A shoulder fracture is another word for a broken shoulder. It can be a break of the ball, socket or scapula.
- Causes: Fall, direct blow to the upper arm/shoulder, aging, osteoporosis
- Symptoms: Obvious deformity, restricted arm/shoulder movement, swelling and bruising, altered sensation
Dr. Clint Morris understands the frustration of living with shoulder pain and the fear that accompanies it. Often, most put off calling to schedule an appointment with an Orthopedic surgeon because they think the only other option is surgery, since they have already gone through traditional treatments with their primary physician… Physical therapy, injections and/or prescription drugs. Dr. Morris encourages his patients to communicate their needs as detailed as they can, trusting that together, you and Dr. Morris will work as a team to come up with the best treatment option for your condition. As one of the top board certified Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine surgeons in the Texas Hill Country, you can rest assure that Dr. Morris is fully committed to addressing your shoulder pain and getting you back to doing the things you love.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Clint Morris or for more information about his services, please visit us here or contact us at our Kerrville location (830) 895-4466.
Dr. Morris has more than 23 years experience in the Texas Hill Country in the care of Sports Medicine and orthopedic surgery. 
