Shoulder pain – don’t shrug it off

Shoulder pain can be significant, can affect daily activities and can even increase instability when walking.  Made of joints, muscles and tendons, the shoulder provides a wide range of motion for the arm.  Whether you are hiking, gardening, swinging a golf club, or just doing the dishes, you rely on the shoulder to get the job done.

Shoulder problems can usually be categorized into four areas, tendon inflammation–sometimes referred to as bursitis or tendinitis–instability, arthritis, or broken bones.  Bursitis is caused when small fluid-filled sacs located in joints become inflamed and swollen because of excessive use.  Daily activities, like dressing or grooming, become difficult and painful.  Shoulder impingement can occur when the top of the shoulder blade puts pressure on the underlying soft tissue when the arm is lifted away from the body and can lead to bursitis and tendinitis.  Instability, the result of a sudden injury or overuse, occurs when the head of the upper arm bone is forced out the shoulder socket.  Arthritis can come in many forms and can cause significant pain.  Osteoarthritis is characterized by swelling, pain, and stiffness and generally starts when we hit middle age and worsens with time.

Dr. Jeremy Idjadi, MD, the newest edition to our established, award-winning Orthopedics team is board-certified and a member of both the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine. Dr. Idjadi treats orthopedic and sports medicine patients and specializes in arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, elbow, and knee in addition to general orthopedic fracture care. His training and experience provide patients with treatment options, from less invasive non-surgical to surgical options.

When pain begins to hold you back, it is time to seek care.  Dr. Idjadi will look at your medical history, ask when and how the pain started and conduct a physical exam to find the cause of the shoulder pain.  In some cases, tests or x-rays may be ordered to help identify the problem. 

Treatment can involve changing daily activities to eliminate overexertion, encourage rest, and sometimes physical therapy can improve shoulder strength and flexibility.  In some cases, medication could be prescribed; surgery might be required to alleviate the issue in fewer cases.

Dr. Idjadi earned his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine and a completed residency at New York University for Joint Diseases as well as a fellowship in sports medicine at Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Institute in Los Angeles. He is not new to the Pacific Northwest and has been affiliated with multiple Seattle-area hospitals, including Swedish Medical Center.

We are so pleased he has decided to join our team, right here at home.  We can’t wait for you to meet him.

June 2021

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