The shoulder is actually four joints working together that allows the arm to move freely through a wide range of motion -- more than any other joint in the body.

There is a price to be paid for the shoulder's extraordinary range of motion. The shoulder is much less stable than other major joints, and is therefore highly subject to injury.

Most shoulder problems are the result of overuse or traumatic injury. Athletes who participate in contact sports, such as hockey or football, often suffer shoulder injuries. Frequent lifting and repetitive arm rotation can also cause wear and tear on the shoulder. Inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and bursitis may develop over time. Strains and tears to connective tissue, such as a rotator cuff injury common among baseball pitchers or tennis players.

You may also suffer from shoulder instability, separation, impingement, tendonitis or bursitis.

Shoulder pain can often be treated with exercises designed to strengthen the muscles of the shoulder. Anti-inflammatory medication may help reduce the pain and swelling. Treatment may also include prescription pain relievers, physical therapy, heat or ice therapies, or corticosteroid injections. When treatment for shoulder pain begins at an early stage, surgery can usually be avoided.

Surgery on the should can be repair torn tendons, remove small bone chips and other debris which may have accumulated in the shoulder joint, reducing friction and allowing the joint to move more freely, or tighten ligaments that might have contributed to instability.

If surgery is recommended, have your family physician refer you to the experts at Michigan Orthopaedic Specialty Hospital , or call 1-888-DMC-2500.