Shoulder Pain Care Options
- Brandon Larsen
- Oct 27, 2024
- 5 min read
Symptoms:
Pain and Discomfort: Shoulder pain may be felt in different parts of the shoulder or radiate down the arm. The pain can range from mild to severe and may worsen with movement or at night.
Limited Range of Motion: You may notice stiffness or a reduced ability to move your arm fully in different directions.
Swelling and Tenderness: Swelling or bruising around the shoulder may indicate an injury such as a sprain or strain.
Clicking or Popping Sounds: If your shoulder makes popping or clicking sounds when you move it, this could signal issues such as bursitis, tendinitis, or a labral tear.
Weakness in the Arm or Shoulder: Weakness or inability to lift objects may indicate a more serious problem, such as a rotator cuff tear or nerve compression.
Common Causes of Shoulder Pain:
Rotator Cuff Injuries: The rotator cuff muscles and tendons can become injured from overuse, leading to tendinitis or tears.
Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac in the shoulder, can cause pain when moving the arm.
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis): This condition causes pain and stiffness, gradually reducing the shoulder’s range of motion.
Arthritis: Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can cause shoulder pain due to joint inflammation and cartilage breakdown.
Dislocations and Fractures: Trauma or falls may lead to a dislocated or fractured shoulder, causing immediate and intense pain.
Self-Care Options:
Rest and Ice: Avoid activities that aggravate the pain. Applying ice to the shoulder for 15-20 minutes every few hours can help reduce inflammation and ease discomfort.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen can reduce pain and swelling.
Stretching and Mobility Exercises: Gentle stretching and range-of-motion exercises can prevent stiffness and maintain flexibility, particularly for frozen shoulder or mild tendinitis.
Supportive Devices: Wearing a shoulder sling or brace may provide relief and prevent further injury by immobilizing the area.
When to Bring in a Medical Professional:
Persistent Pain Lasting More Than a Week: If home remedies don't provide relief after a week, or if the pain worsens, seek medical advice.
Sudden Onset of Severe Pain: If the pain is sharp, accompanied by swelling or deformity, or the shoulder feels unstable, see a doctor immediately.
Inability to Move Your Shoulder: A significant reduction in range of motion may signal a more serious issue, such as a torn rotator cuff or frozen shoulder, requiring professional evaluation.
Telehealth Options:
Telehealth providers can help assess shoulder pain, determine the severity, and recommend appropriate next steps.
Teladoc Health
Teladoc offers consultations with board-certified physicians who can assess shoulder pain, offer guidance on treatment, and prescribe medications or physical therapy if needed.
Amwell
Amwell connects you with healthcare professionals, including orthopedic specialists, to discuss shoulder pain and potential diagnostic tests like X-rays or MRIs.
PlushCare
PlushCare’s virtual visits with U.S.-licensed doctors can help assess shoulder pain and provide treatment recommendations or referrals to physical therapists or specialists.
MDLIVE
MDLIVE provides consultations with doctors who can evaluate the severity of shoulder pain, offer prescriptions for pain relief, or refer you to in-person care if necessary.
Finding Cost-Effective In-Person Care:
If your shoulder pain requires in-person care, there are affordable ways to access treatment.
Insurance Provider Directory: Check your insurance network for in-network orthopedic specialists or physical therapists to minimize costs.
Online Directories: Zocdoc and Healthgrades offer lists of local providers, including physical therapists and orthopedic doctors, for shoulder pain treatment.
Price Comparison Tools: Websites like Healthcare Bluebook and Turquoise Health let you compare treatment costs for consultations, imaging, and therapy sessions in your area.
In-Person Care Options and Estimated Costs:
Primary Care Doctor: A primary care physician can evaluate your shoulder pain, provide an initial diagnosis, and refer you to a specialist if needed.
Cost: $100 - $250 per visit, depending on your location and insurance.
Orthopedic Specialist: An orthopedic specialist is often the next step for diagnosing more complex shoulder issues like rotator cuff tears, arthritis, or fractures.
Cost: $150 - $500 per visit, depending on the complexity of the diagnosis.
Physical Therapy: For non-surgical treatment of shoulder pain, physical therapy is often recommended. A physical therapist can create a plan of exercises and stretches to improve shoulder mobility and strength.
Cost: $75 - $150 per session, with typical treatment plans involving 6-12 sessions.
Imaging Tests (X-rays, MRI): If further evaluation is needed, your doctor may recommend imaging to diagnose the exact cause of the pain.
X-ray: $100 - $250
MRI: $500 - $3,000, depending on location and insurance coverage.
Corticosteroid Injections: For severe pain and inflammation that doesn’t respond to oral medications, a doctor may recommend a corticosteroid injection directly into the shoulder joint.
Cost: $150 - $500 per injection.
Surgery (Severe Cases): If conservative treatments fail and the problem is structural (such as a rotator cuff tear), surgery may be necessary.
Arthroscopic Surgery (Minimally Invasive): $5,000 - $10,000
Open Shoulder Surgery: $15,000 - $30,000 or more, depending on the complexity.
Lab and Imaging Options:
X-ray: Used to check for fractures or arthritis, X-rays are a common first step in diagnosing shoulder pain.
Cost: $100 - $250.
MRI: If soft tissue damage is suspected (like a rotator cuff tear), an MRI may be needed.
Cost: $500 - $3,000.
Ultrasound: Sometimes used to diagnose rotator cuff injuries, ultrasound imaging provides a cheaper alternative to MRIs in certain cases.
Cost: $150 - $500.
Recommended Care Pathway:
Telehealth Consultation: Start with a telehealth provider to get an initial assessment and recommendations for managing mild or moderate shoulder pain.
In-Person Evaluation: If symptoms persist, seek an in-person evaluation with a primary care doctor or orthopedic specialist.
Physical Therapy: For non-surgical cases, physical therapy is a cost-effective and effective treatment to regain shoulder function.
Surgery (if required): In severe cases, where conservative treatments fail, surgery may be necessary to restore shoulder movement and eliminate pain.
Found This Helpful?
Share your next steps in the comments below.
Need More Help? Schedule a Consultation with Us at Front Door Healthcare.
Let's talk! We’ll discuss your health goals and concerns. While we don’t dispense medical advice or care, we'll help you with:
Personalized Appointments - We'll guide you to the right medical providers, considering your preferences, budget, and quality of care.
Cost-Savings - Get assistance in finding affordable treatments, medications, and healthcare services without compromising your care plan.
Insurance & Billing Guidance - We’ll help you navigate insurance options, appeals, and billing questions, so you can focus on your health.
Meet Jamie:
Jamie started noticing a dull ache in her shoulder after spending long hours at her desk. Over time, the pain worsened, and she began to experience difficulty lifting her arm overhead. Concerned about her decreasing mobility, Jamie scheduled a virtual consultation with PlushCare, where the doctor suspected a rotator cuff injury and referred her to an orthopedic specialist.
After an in-person visit with the orthopedic doctor, which cost her $250, Jamie was diagnosed with a partial rotator cuff tear. She was prescribed a physical therapy plan and attended 10 sessions over six weeks, costing $90 per session, for a total of $900.
With the help of physical therapy and some home exercises, Jamie regained strength and mobility in her shoulder without needing surgery. Her total out-of-pocket expenses for treatment were approximately $1,150.
Comments