Did you know the shoulder joint has the greatest range of motion in the human body? It is this wide range of motion that allows us to do so many things with our arms. If it wasn’t for your shoulders, you wouldn’t be able to do practically anything that involved your upper arms.
Unfortunately, like the rest of the body, the shoulders are also prone to getting injured easily. It is normal to experience minor pain in the body every so often from normal wear and tear and from small injuries we incur on a routine basis. So if you have shoulder pain, how do you know when to ignore it and when to see a doctor?
Seek Immediate Medical Care
While small aches and pains are normal, especially as we age, it is important to recognize when you should seek medical attention for pain. When it comes to your shoulder, here are some guidelines on when to seek medical attention.
- Frequency – If you experience shoulder pain for more than a few days, it’s time to see a doctor. Shoulder pain (or any pain for that matter) shouldn’t last longer than a few days. If it does, it means the internal damage that is causing the pain is not healing on its own. Seeking medical attention will help you get a diagnosis and treatment for the pain.
- Intensity – If you are experiencing mild pain, you may want to wait a few days to see if it goes away on its own. However, if you experience intense pain, it’s time to see a doctor immediately. Intense pain is a sign that something is wrong and needs medical attention to correct.
- Accident – If you experience shoulder pain (with any range of intensity) after a car accident, fall, sports accident, or another incident, you should seek medical attention immediately. Pain after an accident or fall means that something in the shoulder may have suffered an injury. It’s good to get it checked out by a doctor so you get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
- Appearance – If your shoulder appears physically different than it usually does but you aren’t feeling any symptoms, it’s not good to ignore it. If you see swelling, a bulge, discoloration, etc. on your shoulder, get it checked out by a doctor immediately to get an accurate diagnosis. It’s not wise to let the issue fester into more symptoms before seeking medical attention.
If you are experiencing shoulder pain, it’s a wise move to get a doctor to check it out. Even if the diagnosis is menial or you don’t require medical treatment, it’s better to be safe than let an underlying condition fester and become worse over time.
Shoulder Pain Relief in Dover, New Jersey
If you live in Dover, New Jersey and are experiencing shoulder pain, come see the experts at Orthopaedic Associates of West Jersey. Our physicians have a wealth of experience diagnosing, treating, and preventing a wide range of orthopedic issues such as shoulder pain. To make an appointment, call (973) 989-0888 or request an appointment online.
