See a Trusted Shoulder Specialist Near Ballston, VA
As the most mobile joint in the body, the shoulder has a wide range of motion and is essential for daily function. Due to its extensive mobility, however, it is also prone to injury.
If you have injured your shoulder, you might be wondering what type of doctor to see and when you should schedule an appointment. Consider entrusting your care to a shoulder specialist at Nirschl Orthopaedic Center (NOC) near Ballston, Virginia. Each orthopedic specialist on our team has focused training and experience in addressing issues that affect specific joints, bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves in the musculoskeletal system.
How Your Shoulder Specialist May Address Your Pain
To help resolve your discomfort and improve your function, your shoulder specialist at NOC may offer a variety of innovative treatment options, some of which other doctors who treat shoulder pain—such as primary care physicians—do not. During your first appointment, your shoulder specialist will perform a comprehensive evaluation to pinpoint the source of your pain. This may include a medical history, physical exam, range-of-motion testing and imaging.
After analyzing the results, your shoulder specialist may recommend that you begin with conservative therapies, such as rest, ice applications and over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). If your pain persists after several weeks of nonsurgical treatment, your shoulder specialist may suggest that you consider:
- Physical therapy, which may include stretches, exercises, hot/cold therapy, athletic taping, electrical stimulation and/or ultrasound therapy
- Prescription-strength pain relievers or NSAIDs
- Injections of a powerful anti-inflammatory medication directly into the joint space or soft tissues around your shoulder
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy to accelerate the healing of injured tissues in your shoulder
- Shoulder arthroscopy to further examine and/or repair damaged tissues inside or around your shoulder joint
- Shoulder replacement to remove damaged cartilage, bone and connective tissues and replace them with a custom implant
If you and your shoulder specialist determine that surgery is appropriate for you and you elect to proceed, you can feel confident in the proficiency of the surgical team at NOC.
If you have disruptive shoulder pain, the best way to resolve it is to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment from a shoulder specialist. Contact Nirschl Orthopaedic Center at (703) 525-2200 today to schedule a consultation at our world-class orthopedic center near Ballston, VA.