“Shoulder Pain Doctors: The Ultimate Guide to Choose the Best Care”

To find the best shoulder pain doctors is important because shoulder pain is common and can be debilitating. There are several potential sources of shoulder pain, most of which are not medically serious. However pain is often a warning sign and sometimes serious pathology can cause shoulder pain. If you have a problem you need to be professionally assessed. In younger people shoulder pain is most likely due to an acute injury or from repeated activity leading to overload. In the older people age related changes occur in the shoulder joint and surrounding soft tissue structures.

The good news is that research has shown that physiotherapy is effective in the management of shoulder pain and getting you back to doing the activities you enjoy. This guide aims to educate you about top best shoulder discomfort and pain doctors and how to choose the right doctor. Also this ultimate guide is to provide an overview of shoulder pain, as well as what to expect from a treatment provider. 

Best 5 Shoulder Pain Doctors in 2024

There are lots of shoulder pain doctors, but in this blog we will discover 5 best shoulder pain specialists. Let’s get to know the best experts. 

1. Alexander Golant, MD

Alexander Golant, MD has specialty in sports orthopedic surgery treatments. He gives treatment to adults & children, he is an orthopedic surgeon with extensive expertise in sports medicine, arthroscopy, joint preservation, and reconstructive surgery. Doctor Alexander Golant focuses on surgical and nonsurgical treatment of the knee, shoulder, and elbow, from the simplest to the most complex injuries and conditions. He is a volunteer as a team physician for the U.S. Ski Team, and previously served as a team doctor for the New York Cosmos professional soccer team also for teams at St. John’s University, including NCAA Division I basketball, volleyball, and tennis.

2. Patricia T. Tan, MD

Patricia T. Tan, MD is one of the shoulder pain doctors who give perfect treatment to avoid shoulder pain. She is a pediatric rehabilitation doctor and treats children, As a pediatric physiatrist. She helps children who have neuromuscular disorders such as cerebral palsy regain cognitive function, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, speech and language skills, and swallow  function to the best of their abilities. She collaborates with the treatment team, which includes primary care doctors and specialists such as neonatologists, orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, and neurosurgeons to create treatment plans.

3. Jeffrey M. Gross, MD

He is  Specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation and treats adults. His goal as a physician is to provide my patients with expert and innovative medical care. The majority of the people he treats have musculoskeletal injuries or disorders. His goal as a physician is to provide his patients with expert and innovative medical care. He is director, quality assurance, physical therapy, center for men’s health, board certifications he possesses as American board of PM&R physical medicine & rehabilitation. Many of his patients are athletes, dancers, or musicians, and he considers how their medical needs intersect with their personalities and lifestyles. Jeffrey M. Gross, MD collaborates with them to develop effective and successful treatment plans. 

4. Kevin J. Curley, MD

Shoulder pain doctors like Kevin J. Curley, MD, has specialties in sports medicine, acupuncture, internal medicine he treats to adults. He is skilled at managing orthopedic issues and injuries, as well as concussions in adults. He has also covered many live sporting events, including the U.S. Open Tennis Championships. He is a certified medical acupuncturist and treats a wide variety of medical conditions and orthopedic conditions with this modality. Kevin J. Curley, MD follows the American college of sports medicine motto of “exercise is medicine.”He emphasizes lifestyle changes and personal risk reduction to promote healthy living.  He considers himself as a guide on patients’ journeys to taking ownership of their own health.

5. Ilya Laufer, MD

He is an expert in neurosurgery, spine surgery and Ilya Laufer, MD treats adults as patients with a wide range of spinal neoplasms, or abnormal tissue growths, including metastatic tumors. The field of neurosurgery is progressing rapidly, with many advancements in making diagnoses and in surgical techniques and outcomes for patients. He is lucky to be a part of the exciting changes on the horizon. His team comprises specialists from every field, including radiation oncology, medical oncology, neurosurgery, and interventional radiology. He also works with rehabilitation medicine experts, who can help manage pain and provide therapy.

Types of Shoulder Pain Doctors

Types of shoulder pain doctors play a vital role to avoid shoulder pain. If shoulder pain is impacting your quality of life, several types of specialists can help. The choice of specialist often depends on the nature and severity of your condition, Some types are following

1. Shoulder and elbow Orthopedic surgeons, shoulder pain doctors like some orthopedic surgeons have additional training specifically in shoulder and elbow conditions. Their advanced skills in shoulder arthroscopy and reconstructive surgeries make them particularly suitable for complex cases.
2. Orthopedic Surgeons, orthopedic specialists focus on the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, and muscles. They are skilled in diagnosing and treating conditions like rotator cuff tears, shoulder dislocations, and arthritis. If surgery is necessary, an orthopedic surgeon will perform it.
3. Primary care physicians, PCPs are usually the first point of contact for shoulder pain. They can evaluate your symptoms, perform a physical examination, and order initial diagnostic tests like X-rays. PCPs often manage minor issues and can refer you to a specialist if needed.
4. Rheumatologists, if your shoulder pain is linked to arthritis or an autoimmune condition, a rheumatologist might be the right choice. These specialists concentrate on inflammatory and degenerative joint diseases and can provide treatments to manage symptoms and slow disease progression.
5. Sports medicine physicians, These specialists address injuries related to sports and exercise. They can diagnose and treat shoulder injuries from physical activities and guide you through the rehabilitation process to help you return to your activities safely.
6. Physical therapists, Physical therapists although not medical doctors, physical therapists are crucial in managing shoulder pain. They create exercise programs to improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion, helping you recover from shoulder injuries.

How to choose the Right Shoulder Pain Doctors?

It is important to selecting shoulder pain doctors, shoulder pain has many causes and Even though you may feel pain around your shoulder it at times could be caused by another source e.g. the neck or upper back referring to pain in your shoulder. Only a trained medical professional can assess this. You can easily choose the right shoulder pain specialist with the help of this guide. A best expert should have qualities of doctors which are mentioned in the types of doctors in this blog. 

Conclusion

Shoulder pain doctors manage your pain. This includes medication, shoulder strapping, exercises and hands on treatment. Activity modification is also very important to allow shoulder pain symptoms to settle. Don’t stress about it, psychological stress can actually increase pain. The majority of shoulder pain will settle if managed appropriately.Trial conservative management first- Unless in severe cases (e.g.massive rotator cuff tear) where surgery is required, a trial of conservative management exercise based approach should be trialed first before surgical options are explored.   

Combination of the exercises and physiotherapy may give an increased reduction of pain and improved range of mobility. Personally, we would recommend the use of ice/heat, but for those without any other health problems, and people who may be short of time, NSAIDs can be beneficial. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before self-prescribing. Dr.J MD a shoulder pain specialist and expert in personal wellbeing and health he is serving at Menz Clinic in Orlando,FL.