Shoulder Pain Specialist

Brad Carofino, MD

Shoulder and Hand Surgeon located in Virginia Beach, VA & Chesapeake, VA

Shoulder pain may be making it difficult to get things done, and you find it hard to deal with the constant aches and pain every time you move your arm. At his Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, Virginia, surgical practice, Dr. Brad Carofino offers accurate diagnosis and treatment for your shoulder pain, including minimally invasive surgery, to restore your quality of life. Schedule an appointment online or by phone to learn more about healing your shoulder pain today.

Shoulder Pain Q & A

What causes shoulder pain?

Your shoulder is made up of several joints, muscles, and tendons that enable you to move it in a variety of different ways. Consequently, there are many potential causes of shoulder pain. As you age, your soft tissue and bones undergo normal wear, which may lead to injury, tears, and arthritis.

Another common cause of shoulder pain is irritation of the rotator cuff muscles due to a process called impingement. This occurs when the top of your shoulder blade places pressure on the rotator cuff tendons, which sit beneath it. This impingement can occur every time you lift your arm away from your body. Over time this may cause bursitis and tendonitis or even progress to a rotator cuff tear.

Some common causes of shoulder pain are:

Rotator cuff tears
Fractures
Arthritis
Bursitis
Tendonitis
Dislocations
Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)

How is shoulder pain diagnosed?

Because pain in your shoulder can be the result of a number of factors, it is important to get an accurate diagnosis. Dr. Carofino offers expert diagnostic services to identify the root cause of your pain.

Dr. Carofino performs a comprehensive physical exam of your shoulder to identify areas of swelling, muscle tenderness, or deformities. He also tests the range of motion you have in your shoulder and may take a closer look at your shoulder joints, muscles, and tendons using tests like:

X-rays
MRIs
CT scans

Once he identifies the cause of your shoulder pain, Dr. Carofino creates a customized care plan to alleviate pain and improve mobility in your shoulder.

What treatment options are available for shoulder pain?

Initially, Dr. Carofino may recommend nonsurgical treatments to reduce pain, including prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications. He may also recommend physical therapy to help improve your flexibility and range of motion.

If these treatments aren’t effective in alleviating your pain, Dr. Carofino may recommend surgery. He offers minimally invasive procedures, including arthroscopy, to repair torn tissues and tendons or remove problematic scar tissue. Dr. Carofino also performs traditional surgeries for more complex shoulder problems, like joint reconstructions or total shoulder replacement.

To learn more about available treatments for shoulder surgery, schedule an appointment online or by calling the office.

What we offer