The shoulder is one of the most reliable parts of your body in completing your daily activities. It becomes more susceptible to injuries making your life difficult as you cannot complete even the simplest tasks like lifting your arm or reaching something on the fridge. You do not have to endure this. The La Jolla, CA orthopedic shoulder & elbow surgeon can help you. First, you must understand the nature of your injury and the severity of your pain to understand the right treatment course. You might first begin with conservative treatments and opt for surgery if your symptoms persist. Here is how to go about shoulder pain.

Get a Medical Diagnosis

If your pain is aching, it signifies a problem within the joint. Before you take any actions to relieve your symptoms, it is necessary to have your shoulder assessed by a medical professional for an accurate diagnosis. Your doctor will get to the root of your symptoms and advise you on what to do to relieve your symptoms. They will evaluate your medical history to rule out or confirm any underlying medical complications. Please do not wait for your pain to go away on its own without first getting a diagnosis, as it could worsen any present underlying condition or injury.

Take Over-the-Counter Medications

Some NSAIDs have been proven to help alleviate pain and manage inflammation in specific muscles and might help you with your shoulder pain. Ask your doctor if it is ok to purchase the painkillers from the local store or pharmacy. This can help you manage pain as you prepare to seek advanced treatment. Some of the most effective painkillers include Naproxen, Aspirin, and Ibuprofen. Remember to take the medications according to the instructions on the label or as directed by your pharmacist.

Consider Prescription Medicine

If over-the-counter NSAIDs do not alleviate your shoulder pain, talk to your doctor about prescription painkillers. Your doctor can prescribe more potent painkillers and other medications to help manage your chronic pain and inflammation. Be sure to stick to the treatment plan until you recover or your doctor advises otherwise. Strictly follow the dosage as prescribed by your doctor. Prednisone is the most corticosteroid that can be prescribed for moderate shoulder pain and inflammation.

Consider Steroid Injections

If your pain persists past prescription medications, discuss with your doctor about cortisone injection. This is a typical steroid that can help manage inflammation in your shoulder. Understand that the injection is not usually required and will only be considered when your condition fails to respond to the less drastic treatments. Your doctor will inject cortisone to reduce inflammation and pain in the inflamed area.

Ask Your Doctor if Surgery is Necessary

Your shoulder pain can be so severe that it fails to respond t conservative and nonsurgical treatments. It could also be caused by an injury requiring surgical interventions to heal completely. Therefore, talk to your doctor if you have tried other treatments unsuccessfully and discuss your surgical options. Remember that surgery is not required in most cases and is only employed where necessary, especially in cases of severe trauma like when you are involved in a car accident.

If you cannot move on with your quality of life due to shoulder pain, the specialists at Upper Extremity Specialists might help you. Make a call or book a consultation appointment online to get in touch with your provider and learn more.