Shoulder pain is a common condition that affects a large number of people from time to time. Shoulder pain is any pain you feel in or around the shoulder joint. Depending on various situations and factors, the causes of shoulder pain differ for each individual. Determining the cause of shoulder pain can help a orthopaedic specialist Singapore to recommend effective shoulder pain treatment options.

Read along further to find out about the causes and symptoms of shoulder pain. Discover how shoulder pain can be treated in Singapore, along with its rehabilitation process.

Common Causes and Symptoms of Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is typically caused by:

• Rotator cuff tears and strains
• Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
• Tendonitis and bursitis
• Osteoarthritis and degenerative changes
• Shoulder impingement and instability
• Labral tears or dislocation injuries

Shoulder pain commonly manifests in the following signs and symptoms:

• Persistent or intermittent pain in the shoulder joint
• Pain that worsens with movement or during the night
• Reduced range of motion and stiffness
• Weakness when lifting or rotating the arm
• Clicking or popping sounds during movement
• Swelling or tenderness around the joint

Read more about the symptoms and causes of shoulder pain for more in-depth information.

Diagnosis of Shoulder Pain

An orthopaedic specialist can diagnose the cause of shoulder pain through the following means:

• Review of medical history and symptom patterns
• Physical examination: range of motion, strength, and stability tests
• Imaging tools like X-rays, MRI, or ultrasound for accurate diagnosis
• Identifying underlying causes and severity

Shoulder Pain Treatment Singapore

The way forward towards treating shoulder pain is to get an accurate diagnosis from a qualified shoulder specialist, who can then recommend the most suitable treatment regimen according to the patient’s unique case.

Shoulder pain treatment in Singapore comprises a wide range of modalities, including self-care practices, physical therapy, medication, and sometimes surgery. Here is a detailed look at all these options.

Non-Surgical/Conservative Treatments

• Rest and lifestyle modification
• Physiotherapy and guided exercises
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Heat or cold therapy for pain and inflammation
• PRP injections
• Taping or bracing for temporary support

Learn more about the non-surgical shoulder pain treatment options.

Surgical Shoulder Pain Treatment

If the doctor feels that conservative measures will not be effective or if the patient has been following conservative measures for a considerable amount of time and still there is no improvement in the pain, he may suggest surgical treatments.

Different types of shoulder conditions call for different types of surgical techniques:

• Arthroscopic surgery for rotator cuff or labral repairs
• Open repair surgery
• Subacromial decompression and bursectomy
• Shoulder replacement for severe arthritis
• Surgery for shoulder instability or dislocations
• Shoulder joint replacement

• Arthroscopic SLAP repair
• Ligament Repair or Bankart Repair
• AC joint repair
• Biceps tendon surgery

Learn more about surgical shoulder pain treatment options available in Singapore.

Rehabilitation

Whether a patient goes through non-surgical or surgical treatment options, post-treatment rehabilitation is crucial to ensure recovery and prevent future problems. Rehabilitation involves the following steps:

• Physical Therapy: Physical therapy and exercises help improve strength, restore function, and prevent future injuries associated with the shoulder.

• Gradual Increase in Activity: This is an important step where the patient must increase activity gradually, giving enough time for the injury to heal.

• Pain Management: During the recovery process, it is also important to manage pain either through medications or other alternative methods to help the patient recover properly.

Alternative Treatments

In addition to conservative and surgical treatment options, certain alternative methods are helpful. These include:

• Acupuncture — can help in reducing pain and improving shoulder movement.

• Chiropractic Care — can help release tension in the shoulder muscles

• Massage Therapy — helpful in relaxing the muscles and reducing shoulder pain

• Yoga and Pilates — can help in improving posture, flexibility, and strength of the shoulder over time to manage pain.

Read more about alternative treatment options for shoulder pain in Singapore.