Shoulder Conditions
Offered in East Orange and Newark, NJ
The shoulder is formed by three bones, including the clavicle (collarbone), humerus (upper arm bone), and scapula (shoulder blade). Within each shoulder are two joints responsible for movement: the glenohumeral joint, which is where the humerus’ rounded end meets the scapula’s shallow socket, and the acromioclavicular joint, which is where the scapula’s highest point meets the clavicle. As such a prominent joint, the shoulder is prone to a host of common conditions, many of which can be addressed by board-certified and fellowship-trained Dr. Maria Cabodevilla-Conn, a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) physician at Prospect Spine and Pain (PSP) in Newark, New Jersey.
Signs and Symptoms of Shoulder Conditions
From overuse and sudden injury to age and underlying illness, common shoulder conditions can have many causes both related to disorders and lifestyle. Shoulder conditions are characterized by a wide range of symptoms, including:
- Sharp pain that may radiate to the extremities or other parts of the body
- Problems with mobility and reflexes in the extremities
- Weakness
- Trouble sleeping
- Cracking or grinding sounds when moving an arm
- Abnormal sensations such as numbness and pins and needles
- Recurrent pain that worsens with time
- And more…
Common Shoulder Conditions We Treat
At Prospect Spine and Pain (PSP), Dr. Maria Cabodevilla-Conn uses the latest advancements in pain management medicine to address each patient’s shoulder condition from a holistic perspective. After a careful examination involving medical imaging and other specialized techniques, she will pinpoint the root cause of the patient’s pain, rule out other potential causes of their symptoms, and devise a minimally invasive treatment plan. We treat shoulder conditions such as the following:
- Avascular necrosis: In this condition, also known as osteonecrosis, bone tissue dies off as a result of insufficient blood supply.
- Bursitis of the shoulder: Throughout the body, bursae, which cushion bones, muscles, tendons, and tissues, may become irritated and swollen due to too much friction, resulting in this condition.
- Cervical radiculopathy: This condition, more commonly known as pinched nerve(s), develops when nerves in the cervical spine become damaged or compressed.
- Frozen shoulder: Also called adhesive capsulitis and shoulder contracture, this condition involves limited range of motion after the development of scar tissue due to the joint’s soft tissues swelling, thickening, and contracting.
- Osteoarthritis: Known as degenerative joint disease, this is the most prevalent type of arthritis, or inflammation of the joints, occurring when bone cartilage becomes damaged over time and causes painful bone grinding and more.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Often referred to as inflammatory joint disease, this form of arthritis is classified as an autoimmune disease. This means that the immune system overreacts and attacks the lining of joints throughout the body, including in the shoulder. The lining then becomes inflamed and swollen, and the joint’s cartilage and bone can eventually be destroyed.
- Rotator cuff tear: Tendons and muscles of the rotator cuff keep the shoulder in its correct place, and when tears occur, painful symptoms and limited mobility can result, especially with overhead movements.
- Sprained, separated, and dislocated shoulders: A sprain occurs when ligaments are torn or overly stretched. If severe ligament damage happens around the acromioclavicular joint, a portion of the shoulder blade may become separated from the collarbone. Dislocated shoulders, therefore, occur when upper arm bones pop completely out of the shoulder socket.
- Shoulder impingement syndrome: This occurs when tendons, which are rugged bands of tissue attaching bones to muscles, become inflamed from repetitive shoulder movements, injury, aging, and other causes.
- Tendonitis (tendinitis): Commonly called tendinitis, this condition involves the swelling and inflammation of tendons.
- Tendonosis: This long-term, chronic condition is categorized by the degeneration of tendon tissue and breakdown of the collagen found within tendons, potentially accompanied by inflammation.
Learn More at Prospect Spine and Pain (PSP)
In Newark, NJ, Dr. Maria Cabodevilla-Conn, and our friendly team are standing by to help you or a loved one learn more about our multimodal, fully personalized, minimally invasive treatments for shoulder pain. For more information, contact Prospect Spine and Pain (PSP) today.
