Abnormal bone formations in the shoulder joint are usually bone spurs. They can be painful and limit your range of motion in the shoulder because they can rub against adjacent nerves or tissues.
Bone spurs in the shoulder can disrupt your ability to perform everyday activities like reaching overhead or combing your hair. They can certainly prevent you from participating in sports, such as tennis or pickleball.
Fortunately, many effective treatments are available to help relieve your shoulder pain. Let us talk about how an orthopedic physician may treat your shoulder pain or bone spurs in your shoulder and where you can go to see a shoulder doctor in Baltimore for world-class medical treatment.
How Do Bone Spurs Develop in the Shoulder?
Bone spurs or other abnormal bone growths can form in the shoulder joint from overuse or injury. These growths, called osteophytes, can then rub against nearby tendons or nerves causing pain and inflammation. Bone spurs can also trap pieces of cartilage, which can lead to further damage and shoulder pain.
Nonsurgical Treatments for Shoulder Pain Due to Bone Spurs
Shoulder doctors usually treat bone spurs in the shoulder with nonsurgical methods first. These treatments will not remove the growth, but they hopefully will relieve your shoulder pain and improve your range of motion in the shoulder.
These treatment options include:
Prescription Medication to Reduce Shoulder Pain
Chances are you’ve already tried over-the-counter pain relievers to help alleviate your shoulder pain, but you need something stronger or more long-lasting. Your shoulder doctor can offer other alternatives that are not addictive, but do provide more long-lasting pain relief.
Corticosteroid Injections for Long-Term Pain Relief in the Shoulder
These injections contain a type of steroid that is similar to the natural steroids produced by your body. Your shoulder doctor will recommend and administer this treatment if less-invasive options have failed to reduce your shoulder pain.
Corticosteroid injection treatment works to help relieve shoulder pain and inflammation; it can last for weeks or months at a time.
Surgical Treatment Options for Shoulder Spurs
Surgical options for treating abnormal bone formation in the shoulder joint include:
Arthroscopy
During this minimally invasive (and usually outpatient) procedure, your shoulder doctor inserts a thin tube with a camera function at the end into your shoulder joint. It allows the physician to see inside the joint and to remove bone spurs, shards of loose bone in the shoulder joint or other growths.
Open Shoulder Surgery
Open surgery in the shoulder, which is traditional surgery, may be necessary to remove large bone spurs or to make extensive repairs. During open surgery, your shoulder doctor will make larger incisions than those which are required for arthroscopy. Most people experience a significant reduction in shoulder pain after this surgery.
Trusted Shoulder Doctor in Baltimore, Maryland
If you have shoulder pain, it is in your best interest to see an experienced orthopedic doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating shoulder pain. You can rely on Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder if you are looking for a trusted shoulder doctor in Baltimore and throughout Maryland. Our experienced medical providers can give you the best care possible.
Call our friendly staff today at (410) 296-6232 to learn about our services or to schedule an appointment, or fill out our easy-to-use appointment request form online now. We have convenient locations in Clarksville, Westminster, Lutherville, Pasadena, Bel Air, Eldersburg, and Baltimore We look forward to serving you!
