Shoulder Pain

Seeking early treatment for shoulder pain prevents progressive joint damage and chronic shoulder instability. The advanced treatments provided by Austin Yeargan III, MD, at Carolina Joint and Arthritis in Wilmington, North Carolina, restore pain-free movement with nonsurgical therapies that promote natural healing. Don’t wait to get long-lasting relief from shoulder pain. Call the office or use online booking to schedule an appointment today. 

What causes shoulder pain?

Your shoulder is a complex structure consisting of bones that make up two joints, the rotator cuff (four muscles and their tendons), and ligaments. Shoulder pain can arise from any of these structures, whether due to a sudden injury or chronic disease.

Many people develop shoulder pain as they age, as the stress of daily repeated arm movements causes overuse injuries. 

Conditions that often cause shoulder pain include the following:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rotator cuff tears
• Labral tear
• Shoulder dislocation
• Shoulder impingement
• Tendonitis
• Bursitis

Determining the cause of your shoulder pain allows Dr. Yeargan to customize a treatment that can relieve your pain, restore the shoulder’s movement, and get you back to your daily life.

What symptoms accompany shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain seldom occurs alone. You may also have any of the following symptoms:

• Swelling
• Bruising or redness
• Arm weakness
• Pain when using your arm
• Inability to lift your arm
• Limited shoulder movement
• Obvious joint deformity

Without prompt treatment at Carolina Joint and Arthritis, the underlying problem can progress, leading to chronic shoulder instability and recurrent dislocations.

How is shoulder pain treated?

The first line of treatment for shoulder pain includes physical therapy (performed in the office), activity modification, shoulder immobilization, and anti-inflammatory medications.

Dr. Yeargan may recommend the Tenex Health TX procedure if you have chronic tendonitis (an inflamed tendon). This noninvasive treatment uses ultrasound to safely eliminate damaged tissue.

As the field’s leading orthobiologics specialist, Dr. Yeargan also offers treatments such as:

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) plus TSG-6

PRP contains concentrated platelets from your blood. Platelets accelerate healing and trigger specialized cells to repair and regenerate tissues. Dr. Yeargan developed a technique that improves PRP results. He uses a Minntech nanofilter to remove inflammatory substances from your plasma, then adds concentrated anti-inflammatory TSG-6 molecules.

Nanoplasty™️ and Mechanical Axis Deviation Procedure (NAMAD)

Dr. Yeargan developed NAMAD to restore damaged cartilage. He takes bone marrow from your hip and extracts signaling cells from the marrow. These cells communicate with other cells, triggering tissue regeneration and healing. He also ensures optimal healing by using platelets to bind the signaling cells to the damaged tissues.

Amniotic fluid injections

Amniotic fluid (freely donated by mothers and tested for safety) is a rich source of proteins and signaling cells that repair damage and regenerate new tissues.

Don’t wait to get nonsurgical treatments that effectively ease shoulder pain. Call Carolina Joint and Arthritis or use the online booking feature today.