Advanced Care for Shoulder Injuries in the Merced County Region

The shoulder is a complex joint with three bones — the upper arm bone (humerus), the shoulder blade (scapula), and the collarbone. A shoulder injury occurs when one or more of these bones, or the muscles, tendons, and ligaments surrounding the shoulder joint, are damaged in some way.

If you need care for a recent shoulder injury or an ongoing condition that is limiting movement in your shoulder, request an appointment with an experienced orthopedic doctor at Dignity Health. In addition to advanced diagnostic testing, our orthopedic services include a wide array of treatments for shoulder injuries in Sacramento and surrounding the areas. For a doctor referral, call 888.913.7276.

Shoulder Injury Causes

In most cases, shoulder problems result from an injury or a disease of the soft tissues (like osteoarthritis). Overuse from repetitive motions during work, sports, or a hobby is a common cause of these soft tissue problems. Bone injuries of the shoulder, such as fractures, usually result from trauma.

Common shoulder conditions include:

• Shoulder instability
• Rotator cuff tear
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Labral tears
• Impingement syndrome
• Frozen shoulder
• Fracture
• Dislocated shoulder joint
• Bursitis
• Arthritis

Shoulder Injury Symptoms

Pain is a symptom common to just about every shoulder problem. The pain can range from dull and achy to sharp and severe. The specific location of pain within the shoulder can help your doctor diagnose the problem.

Along with pain, other signs and symptoms include:

• Stiffness
• Weakness
• An inability to rotate or lift your arm through a normal range of positions

Your shoulder may also feel like it is loose, or like it could pop or slide out of place. For fractures and dislocations, the shoulder may appear deformed.

Shoulder Injury Treatment at Mercy Medical Center

The type of shoulder problem you have will determine what our trusted orthopedics offer for your treatment and prevention. However, there are some basic principles that apply to most shoulder conditions. Nonsurgical shoulder injury treatment starts with the following:

• Rest
• Anti-inflammatory medicines
• Exercises to strengthen the shoulder and restore flexibility
• Corticosteroid shots

Physical therapy can speed up the healing process and prevent mild problems from becoming serious. Shoulder surgery may be necessary if these methods fail to resolve the problem.