Should I Go to Urgent Care for Shoulder Pain?

Yes, you must get immediate treatment at Total Ortho Express if you experience sudden, severe shoulder pain. Our healthcare providers will examine your shoulder to identify the cause and provide initial treatment to manage the pain. If your injury is severe, we take X-rays to check for fractures or dislocations. After the X-ray, if the diagnosis shows a more serious condition, we will refer you to our orthopedic specialist.

Unlike a hospital, we provide immediate and cost-effective treatment for shoulder injuries. Our urgent care team accurately diagnoses your condition and provides the necessary treatment. We also offer you non-surgical and surgical treatment options to support your recovery. Walk in now to Total Ortho Express for immediate care and expert diagnosis.

When Should You Visit Urgent Care for Shoulder Pain?

You should seek prompt care at Total Ortho Express if you are unable to move or lift your arm, notice a visible deformity, or experience severe bleeding. You also need urgent medical attention due to intense pain after an accident, a fall, or a sports injury. If this pain lasts for months without improvement, you must consult our orthopedic specialist for further evaluation. This way, you will get follow-up care to ensure proper healing and a long-term recovery.

In addition, when you face difficulty in performing tasks, like brushing your hair or lifting objects, due to severe pain, you must go for urgent care. These are signs of shoulder dislocation or rotator cuff tear. At Total Ortho Express, our board-certified urgent care team will analyze your symptoms and start treatment right away. We also notice visible swelling, bruising, or a deformity in your shoulder that shows fracture or dislocation. By confirming your cause of pain, our shoulder specialist provides urgent care services to prevent further damage.

What Are the Common Causes of Shoulder Pain?

You face shoulder pain due to fractures, shoulder dislocations, and Rotator cuff injuries (tears or tendinitis). These injuries affect the muscles and tendons that support your movement in the shoulder joint. Several severe conditions, such as tendon ruptures, thoracic outlet syndrome, and brachial plexus injuries, can also cause long-term pain in your shoulder.

In addition, when you perform repetitive movements, it causes nerve compression in your shoulder. This pressure on nerves leads to severe pain and limits the range of motion. For instance, shoulder impingement syndrome is an overuse injury that occurs when your tendons are pinched. It causes severe pain, numbness, and inflammation around your shoulder joint. Muscle strains, sprains, and avascular necrosis also contribute to shoulder pain and discomfort.

According to a systematic review, rotator cuff disorders account for over two-thirds of shoulder pain cases. Other common causes include frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), which accounts for about 2% of cases. Arthritis is also a significant cause of pain in the shoulder joint. Moreover, if you have diseases like diabetes and a heart attack, it leads to referred pain in the shoulder.

How Do Doctors at Urgent Care Diagnose Shoulder Pain?

Our Doctors at Total Ortho Express perform a physical examination, review your medical history, and use imaging tests such as X-rays to diagnose shoulder pain. These assessments help us ensure accuracy and identify the cause of your pain. We also focus on your movement pattern to diagnose tenderness and inflammation in your shoulder joint. In severe cases, when symptoms overlap, we offer imaging services to confirm the underlying cause.

Imaging tests, especially X-rays, are essential for diagnosing fractures, dislocations, or severe soft tissue damage. These tests provide detailed and clear images of your bones and joints. After reviewing your tests, our doctors identify any broken bones or fractures in your clavicle, humerus, or shoulder. In cases of soft tissue injuries, such as rotator cuff tears, we use MRI or ultrasound. These imaging tests allow us to diagnose accurately and determine the best treatment plan for you.

According to a case study, the use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in urgent care settings can accurately diagnose shoulder dislocations. In this case, a 54-year-old woman suffered an anterior shoulder dislocation after a fall. The shoulder was safely repositioned and aligned correctly using POCUS. Because it helps provide precise and clear imaging of the dislocation.

How Does Urgent Care Manage a Dislocated Shoulder?

At Total Ortho Express, we treat dislocated shoulders by closed reduction, immobilization, manual therapy, and medications. If you have minor shoulder pain and mild discomfort, our doctor will prescribe over-the-counter medications or corticosteroid injections. These pain relievers will reduce swelling and pain. We also offer immobilization of the shoulder joint and ice therapy to promote your healing.

Initially, our urgent care team focuses on non-surgical treatment, such as closed reduction. In this procedure, we manually put your shoulder back in place. We perform this method under local anesthesia to decrease your pain and ensure the joint is aligned correctly. Afterward, doctors will use a sling or splint to stabilize your shoulder for healing. In severe cases, when our orthopedic specialist notices significant damage in injured areas such as ligaments or bones, we prefer surgery for better recovery.

When Is It Better to See a Specialist for Shoulder Pain?

You should consult our orthopedic specialist at Total Ortho Express if your pain persists for over four weeks. When pain does not improve with conservative treatment, visit urgent care to discuss other treatment options. We identify the underlying cause and provide advanced treatment such as surgery. Moreover, if you experience any of the following symptoms, schedule an appointment with our orthopedic specialist:

• Limited range of motion, such as an inability to lift your arm above your head or straighten your elbow
• Dull or achy pain, difficulty moving your shoulder or elbow
• Pain during regular activities or at rest
• Numbness, tingling, or increasing weakness in your shoulder or arm
• Swelling and inflammation around your joint

Persistent shoulder pain or discomfort can significantly impact your daily life. Our orthopedic specialist provides an accurate diagnosis to find the root cause of shoulder pain. Visit us today to get relief from shoulder pain.

What Are the Risks of Delaying Treatment for Shoulder Pain?

You could face chronic pain, permanent joint damage, and a longer recovery period without prompt treatment for pain in the shoulder. Delaying treatment increases the risk of further injury to your shoulder joint and surrounding tissues. For example, you may develop frozen shoulder or rotator cuff tears, which make your recovery more challenging. This can also lead to reduced mobility, worsened pain,and difficulty with everyday activities.

In addition, a study published in Clinical Evidence indicates that approximately 40% of patients report persistent shoulder pain one year after consulting their primary care physician. This research focuses on the effect of treatments such as corticosteroid injections and surgery on shoulder pain and disability. It found that early treatment is essential to prevent long-term discomfort and disability.

At Total Ortho Express, Get Same-Day Treatment for Your Shoulder Pain — Visit Us Now!

If shoulder pain limits your daily activities and doesn’t improve with rest or medications, it’s time to seek immediate medical attention. Certain symptoms, such as chronic pain, limited mobility, and swelling, can significantly affect your quality of life. However, if you ignore these symptoms, it can lead to long-term damage. Taking prompt action can help prevent further complications and speed up your recovery.

At Total Ortho Express, we offer same-day treatment for your shoulder pain, ensuring you receive the care you need without delay. Our shoulder specialists offer comprehensive treatment plans from non-surgical options to advanced surgical solutions. Our services are available in Syosset, Massapequa, Deer Park, and East Meadow. Contact us today at 855-321-6784 or visit us at our clinic.

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