The Ultimate Guide to Shoulder Pain: Causes, Treatment Options, and Regenerative Solutions

Shoulder pain is incredibly common-but that doesn’t mean it should be ignored. Whether you’re struggling with pain lifting your arm, a nagging ache at night, or sudden weakness, your shoulder is telling you something.

At Form & Function Orthopaedics, we specialize in helping active adults-especially those in midlife-identify, treat, and recover from a wide range of shoulder injuries and degenerative conditions. From rotator cuff tears to arthritis, tendinitis, and instability, we offer non-surgical, regenerative, and surgical solutions tailored to your needs and goals.

Here’s everything you need to know about shoulder pain, what might be causing it, and how we help you get back to full function-without unnecessary procedures.

Why the Shoulder Is Prone to Injury

Your shoulder is the most mobile joint in your body-but that mobility comes at a cost. Because it relies heavily on muscles, tendons, and ligaments for stability, it’s especially vulnerable to:

• Overuse injuries
• Age-related degeneration
• Repetitive stress (especially in sports or daily tasks)
• Hormonal changes (particularly during perimenopause)
• Poor posture and biomechanics

Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a busy parent, or someone simply trying to stay active, shoulder pain can limit your ability to move confidently, work comfortably, and sleep well.

Top Shoulder Conditions We Treat

Here’s a breakdown of the most common shoulder problems we see-and how they’re treated.

1. Rotator Cuff Tears and Tendinitis

Symptoms: Pain lifting arm, weakness, difficulty sleeping on the affected side

Common in: Adults over 40, athletes, those with repetitive overhead motion

Treatments:

• Physical therapy
• Cortisone or PRP injections
• BMAC or regenerative cell-based therapy
• Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (for larger tears)

2. Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Symptoms: Pain when lifting or reaching, especially overhead

Common in: Swimmers, tennis players, desk workers

Treatments:

• PT and postural retraining
• Anti-inflammatory injections
• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
• Subacromial decompression if conservative care fails

3. AC Joint Arthritis or Shoulder Separation

Symptoms: Pain on top of the shoulder, pain with cross-body movement, visible bump (in separation)

Common in: Active adults, after falls or repetitive strain

Treatments:

• Physical therapy
• PRP or laser therapy
• Distal clavicle resection surgery if advanced

4. Glenohumeral (Ball-and-Socket) Arthritis

Symptoms: Deep, aching pain; stiffness; loss of range of motion

Common in: Adults 50+ or with a history of prior injuries

Treatments:

• PT and lifestyle modification
• Regenerative medicine (PRP, BMAC)
• Viscosupplementation
• Shoulder replacement surgery (anatomic or reverse, depending on rotator cuff status)

5. Biceps Tendinitis

Symptoms: Pain in the front of the shoulder with lifting or reaching

Common in: Athletes, weightlifters, patients with poor posture or impingement

Treatments:

• Rest and therapy
• PRP injections to reduce inflammation
• Surgical biceps tenodesis if chronic

6. Labral Tears

Symptoms: Clicking, catching, instability, pain with overhead or rotational movement

Common in: Overhead athletes, trauma cases, aging adults

Treatments:

• Rest and PT
• Regenerative injections to promote healing
• Arthroscopic labral repair when conservative care isn’t enough

7. Shoulder Instability

Symptoms: Frequent popping, slipping, dislocations, apprehension with certain movements

Common in: Younger patients, athletes, hypermobile individuals

Treatments:

• Strengthening and PT
• Regenerative therapy to support soft tissue repair
• Surgical stabilization for recurring dislocations

When Shoulder Pain Is Linked to Hormones: The Perimenopause Connection

If you’re a woman in your 40s or 50s and struggling with shoulder pain, you might not realize that hormonal changes could be playing a role.

During perimenopause, estrogen levels decline. This leads to:

• Increased inflammation
• Slower tissue repair
• Reduced collagen strength
• Greater risk for frozen shoulder, tendinitis, and joint degeneration

You may also experience related symptoms like:

• Morning stiffness
• Brain fog
• Sleep disruption
• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Anxiety or mood swings

Women are often told “your imaging looks fine”-but we believe you. Your symptoms are real, and we’re here to treat them with compassion and science.

Regenerative Orthopedic Solutions for Shoulder Pain

Our orthobiologic treatment options include:

PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma): A concentrated preparation of your own platelets obtained from a small blood draw. Platelets contain signaling molecules that help regulate inflammation within a joint or soft tissue.

MFAT (Microfragmented Adipose Tissue): A small sample of your own adipose tissue that is mechanically processed using minimal manipulation techniques and used in the same procedure to support a healthier joint or soft tissue environment.

BMAC (Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate): A concentrated form of cells and biologic components obtained from a small bone marrow sample. These components may help support a more favorable environment for tissue comfort and function.

These treatments are used selectively and may be considered for:

• Partial thickness tendon symptoms
• Early joint wear
• Tendon or soft tissue irritation
• Labral-related discomfort
• Postoperative symptom management in certain cases

They may also be considered for women experiencing joint or soft tissue symptoms during perimenopause, particularly when symptoms persist despite standard conservative care. These options use your own biological material and do not involve systemic medications.

When Is Surgery the Best Option?

Sometimes, surgery is the right answer-especially for:

• Full-thickness rotator cuff tears
• Advanced arthritis
• Chronic instability
• Severe labral damage

We offer modern, minimally invasive procedures, including:

• Arthroscopic rotator cuff and labral repairs
• AC joint surgeries
• Shoulder replacements (anatomic and reverse)

As a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Nancy Yen Shipley guides you through every decision-balancing precision with empathy, and performance with your personal goals.

What to Expect at Form & Function Orthopaedics

Your care starts with a detailed evaluation, often including ultrasound diagnostics for precision and real-time imaging. From there, we create a personalized recovery roadmap using the most effective tools for your lifestyle, condition, and goals.

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all care. We believe in treating humans-not cases.

Book Your Shoulder Evaluation Today

If you’re tired of shoulder pain slowing you down, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and the most advanced treatments available.

👉 Schedule your consultation now »

Serving patients in Portland, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Tigard, and surrounding areas.