Shoulder Pain

Shoulder Pain services offered in Hinsdale, IL

Shoulder pain is one of the most common joint problems, affecting 18-26% of adults. At DuPage Spine and Orthopaedics in Hinsdale, Illinois, board-certified orthopaedic surgeon Kevin Koutsky, MD, and the team offer comprehensive care for shoulder pain, including corticosteroid injections, bracing, and orthopaedic surgery. Call DuPage Spine and Orthopaedics today to schedule an appointment, or book your visit online.

Shoulder Pain Q&A

I have shoulder pain. Do I need to visit the doctor?

Almost everyone has shoulder pain on occasion. But if your symptoms continue for over a week and fail to improve with rest and activity changes, contact DuPage Spine and Orthopaedics.

Common causes of shoulder pain, like rotator cuff injuries, tend to worsen with time. Prompt intervention can relieve discomfort and speed up the healing process.

What causes shoulder pain?

Dr. Koutsky and the DuPage Spine and Orthopaedics team treat shoulder pain caused by various issues, including:

Arthritis
Torn cartilage
Torn rotator cuff
Bursitis
Tendinitis
Frozen shoulder
Dislocated shoulder
Bone spurs
Sports injuries
Car accidents

The team also treats shoulder pain caused by work injuries. DuPage Spine and Orthopaedics offers workers’ compensation services to employees throughout Cook and DuPage counties.

How does an orthopaedic surgeon diagnose shoulder pain?

Dr. Koutsky reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including what the pain feels like, and if it extends into your arm or back. He also asks if the pain worsens during certain activities, like shaving, combing your hair, or using hand tools.

He examines your affected shoulder joint, checking for redness, bruising, and swelling. He assesses your shoulder’s range of motion, tests your reflexes, and asks you to lift your arm and move it from side to side.

Dr. Koutsky gently presses on your shoulder joint and the surrounding skin to identify sensitive places. Then, he orders X-rays or an MRI to get a better look at your shoulder joint and surrounding tissues.

How does an orthopaedic surgeon treat shoulder pain?

Dr. Koutsky and the DuPage Spine and Orthopaedics team treat shoulder pain with a conservative, minimally invasive approach. They might suggest:

Rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE protocol)
Wearing a shoulder sling or a shoulder brace
Anti-inflammatory medication
Corticosteroid injections
Physical therapy
Stretches to increase your shoulder’s flexibility

If these treatments don’t ease your shoulder pain, Dr. Koutsky might recommend orthopaedic surgery.

Dr. Koutsky regularly performs minimally invasive and traditional open orthopaedic surgery at Elmhurst Hospital in Hinsdale. He performs most procedures on an outpatient basis, so patients rarely have to spend the night in the hospital.

Call DuPage Spine and Orthopaedics today to schedule treatment for shoulder pain, or book your appointment online.