Our Multidisciplinary Pain Management Team in Ramsey NJ Proudly Treats Shoulder Bursitis

Shoulder bursitis is a common pain condition diagnosed and treated by our Ramsey pain doctor team, Dr. Steven Ferrer and Dr. Kevin McElroy. If you have shoulder pain, keep reading to learn more about this condition and how our multidisciplinary pain management team may be able to help you.

WHAT IS SHOULDER BURSITIS?

A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that helps reduce friction in areas where muscles and tendons slide over bones and other spaces around a joint. You have several of these in and around your shoulder joints.

Consider the following symptoms:

• You have shoulder pain that came on gradually over the course of weeks or months.
• You have shoulder pain that is felt on the outside of your joint or may even radiate down toward your elbow or wrist.
• Your shoulder pain worsens when you perform overhead activities, like washing your hair, putting things away on a shelf, or screwing in a light bulb. It particularly hurts in what’s called a “painful arc,” or during the middle part of the motion of moving your arm out and up like a T.
• Your shoulder hurts less when your arm is by your side.
• Your shoulder hurts more when you lie on it.

If you are exhibiting any of these symptoms, you could be suffering from a case of shoulder bursitis.

As with any physical condition ending in “-itis,” shoulder bursitis is hallmarked by inflammation of one of the bursas near this joint (typically the subacromial bursa, which is located under the bone on the top of your shoulder).

Such inflammation can be caused by multiple factors, including repetitive motion and overuse, direct trauma, or a disruption in the normal alignment of the shoulder joint (called impingement). Other conditions, including rotator cuff strains and biceps tendonitis, may also lead to an irritation of your shoulder bursa.

HOW IS SHOULDER BURSITIS DIAGNOSED?

The only way to know for sure what’s causing your shoulder dysfunction is to consult with a healthcare professional. Drs. Ferrer and McElroy, along with their physical therapy staff, can determine if your shoulder pain is caused by bursitis based on a combination of diagnostic imaging studies (such as MRI or ultrasound), physical tests, and a patient history interview. We’ll ask you about your pain and evaluate how your shoulder responds to our special tests.

Once we have confirmed a diagnosis of shoulder bursitis, we’ll be able to work with you to determine the most appropriate course of treatment.

WHAT ARE MY TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR SHOULDER BURSITIS?

Treating shoulder bursitis focuses on reducing inflammation, eliminating the factors that are contributing to such inflammation (including posture, muscle imbalances, and poor body mechanics), and healing the bursa and other injured tissues in the shoulder area. To do this, our staff utilizes comprehensive therapies including:

• Physical therapy 
• Acupuncture
• Interventional pain injections
• Osteopathic manipulations and other sports medicine techniques

WONDERING IF YOUR SHOULDER PAIN COULD BE CAUSED BY BURSITIS? CALL OUR RAMSEY PAIN DOCTORS TODAY FOR THE RIGHT DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT

Progressive Spine & Sports Medicine is proud to be Northern New Jersey’s most advanced and comprehensive facility for pain management services. If you’re struggling with shoulder pain or any other type of acute or chronic condition, then call our Ramsey pain doctors, Dr. Ferrer and Dr. McElroy, to schedule a consultation. Our number is 201 962 9199 and our office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

We look forward to serving you!