Nonsurgical Shoulder Treatments

We provide a wide range of nonsurgical treatments to reduce your pain and restore your function, including:

Medications

These range from over-the-counter pain relievers to prescription-strength anti-inflammatory medications, oral steroids, and non-narcotic pain relievers. They may include topical ointments as well as medications you take by mouth.

Cortisone Injections

Steroid medication is injected directly into the affected joint space, bursa, or area around an inflamed tendon. The goal is to reduce inflammation and pain. For some injections, the doctor may use ultrasound to guide the needle to the proper location.

Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP), Stem-Cell Therapy

Both of these emerging therapies involve harvesting specific types of cells from your body, concentrating them, and injecting them directly into your shoulder joint, bursa, or tendon sheath. While some early results are promising, the benefits have not yet been proven, and they remain under study. Insurance generally does not cover them. 

Activity Modification
Your shoulder or sports medicine specialist may be able to advise you on how to modify your activities to reduce your pain or your risk of re-injury.

Physical Therapy

Many of our physical therapists specialize in shoulder injuries. They focus on exercises that strengthen your shoulder muscles, lessen pain, restore movement, and reduce your chance of re-injury.