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Opening December 1, 2027 in Bethesda, MD · Now scheduling new patients

Propel Sports and Orthobiologics
Request an Appointmentfrontdesk@propelsportsortho.com

Shoulder pain · Bethesda, MD

Shoulder pain treatment in Bethesda, MD

We treat rotator cuff, arthritis, frozen shoulder, and calcium deposits diagnosed with in-office ultrasound and treated without surgery whenever possible.
Request an AppointmentCommon causesShoulder services

Email frontdesk@propelsportsortho.com or call (301) 200-9025

What causes shoulder pain?

The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, which also makes it easy to overload. Pain at the side of the upper arm usually points to the rotator cuff or bursa, pain at the top of the shoulder to the AC joint, and deep, stiff pain in every direction to frozen shoulder or arthritis.

Because several problems can overlap in one shoulder, an accurate diagnosis matters. Ultrasound at the exam table lets us watch the tendons move and pinpoint which structure is causing your pain.

When to see an orthopedic doctor for shoulder pain

  • Pain that lasts more than two weeks or keeps coming back
  • Night pain, especially lying on the sore side
  • Trouble reaching overhead, behind your back, or out to the side
  • Weakness lifting the arm or a painful catch as it moves
  • Stiffness that keeps getting worse

Get urgent care instead if you have

  • A visibly deformed shoulder after a fall or dislocation
  • Sudden inability to lift the arm after an injury
  • Shoulder or arm pain with chest pressure, shortness of breath, or sweating (call 911)

Common causes of shoulder pain

Each page covers symptoms, how we diagnose it, and your treatment options.

Shoulder ArthritisWorn cartilage in the ball-and-socket joint that causes aching, stiffness, and night pain.Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy and Partial TearsIrritated, worn, or partially torn shoulder tendons that hurt with reaching and at night.Calcific TendinitisA calcium deposit inside a rotator cuff tendon that causes sharp pain with overhead motion.Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)A thickened, tight joint capsule that makes the shoulder painful and stiff.AC Joint ArthritisArthritis at the top of the shoulder, where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade.Shoulder Labral TearA tear in the rim of cartilage that deepens the shoulder socket, often felt as deep pain or catching.Subacromial and Subcoracoid ImpingementPinching of the shoulder tendons that causes pain at the front and side of the shoulder.Subacromial BursitisAn inflamed fluid sac above the rotator cuff that makes lifting the arm and lying on the shoulder painful.Scapular DyskinesisAbnormal shoulder blade movement that loads the shoulder unevenly and causes pain.Shoulder Instability and DislocationA shoulder that slips partly or fully out of the socket, often after a fall or in overhead sports.Biceps Tendinopathy (Front of Shoulder)An irritated biceps tendon at the front of the shoulder that aches with lifting and reaching.

Shoulder pain treatment options

PRPPlatelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)A concentrate of platelets from a small draw of your own blood, placed precisely under ultrasound to calm pain and support tendon and joint healing.BMACBone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC)A concentrate prepared from a small sample of your own bone marrow, drawn and injected in the same visit for joint and tendon problems.Lipogems (microfragmented adipose tissue)Lipogems: Microfragmented Adipose Tissue (MFAT)A small amount of your own fat tissue, gently processed and injected to cushion and support an arthritic joint or damaged tendon.MSK UltrasoundDiagnostic Musculoskeletal UltrasoundReal-time imaging of tendons, ligaments, muscles, joints, and nerves at the exam table, including while you move.Guided InjectionsUltrasound-Guided Joint and Tendon InjectionsOffice-based injections placed under live ultrasound, so the medicine reaches the exact structure that hurts.Cortisone InjectionCortisone (Steroid) InjectionsA targeted anti-inflammatory injection, placed under ultrasound, that calms a flare of joint, bursa, or nerve-tunnel pain so rehab can move forward.Hyaluronic AcidHyaluronic Acid (Gel) InjectionsA lubricating gel placed inside an arthritic joint under ultrasound to ease pain and stiffness. FDA-approved for knee arthritis.TenexPercutaneous Tenotomy (Tenex)Removes damaged tendon tissue through a tiny incision so healthy tissue can regenerate. Used for chronic tendinopathy and calcific tendinitis.Tendon ScrapingUltrasound-Guided Tendon ScrapingFrees a painful tendon from the irritated tissue and small nerves around it, through a needle.Calcific LavageCalcific Lavage (Barbotage) for Calcific TendinitisRinses and draws out a calcium deposit in a shoulder tendon through a needle under live ultrasound, often followed by an injection into the bursa.Capsular DistensionCapsular Distension (Hydrodilatation) for Frozen ShoulderGently stretches a tight shoulder capsule from the inside with fluid, paired with therapy to restore motion.Nerve ModulationNerve ModulationNerve blocks and stimulators, including peripheral nerve and spinal cord stimulation, that quiet the nerves carrying pain so rehab can move forward.Nerve AblationUltrasound-Guided Nerve AblationUses controlled heat or pulsed energy to quiet the small sensory nerves carrying chronic joint or tendon pain.Joint DenervationJoint DenervationTreats the nerves that carry pain from the knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, wrist, sacroiliac joint, foot, or plantar fascia; an option for people delaying or avoiding joint replacement.ShockwaveExtracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)Focused sound-wave pulses delivered through the skin, with no needles or downtime, to stimulate healing in chronic tendon and heel pain.Rehab PlanningRehabilitation and Return-to-Activity PlanningA strength-first plan, coordinated with your physical therapist, that sets clear milestones for getting back to training, work, and sport.

Questions about shoulder pain

What kind of doctor should I see for shoulder pain?
A sports medicine or orthopedic physician is the right first stop for most shoulder pain. At Propel, our physicians diagnose with ultrasound and treat most rotator cuff, arthritis, and frozen shoulder problems without surgery, and refer to a shoulder surgeon when that is the better option.
Do I need an MRI for shoulder pain?
Often not at first. In-office ultrasound shows the rotator cuff, bursa, and biceps tendon in real time. An MRI is ordered when a large tear or a problem inside the joint is suspected, or when surgery is being considered.
Can shoulder pain be treated without surgery?
Most shoulder pain can. Progressive strengthening, guided injections, orthobiologics such as PRP, shockwave therapy, and procedures like hydrodilatation help many people avoid or delay surgery.

What to expect at your visit

  1. 1.

    We listen first

    Your visit opens with a real conversation: how the problem started, what you have already tried, and the activity you want back.

  2. 2.

    Exam and in-office ultrasound

    A hands-on exam, then ultrasound at the exam table, often while you move, so your physician can see the tendon, joint, or nerve involved.

  3. 3.

    A clear diagnosis and plan

    You leave knowing what is wrong and what your options are, from strength-based rehab to procedures, and why we recommend each one.

  4. 4.

    Treatment and follow-through

    Most procedures happen here in the office. We coordinate with your physical therapist and check progress against the goals you set.

Rehab protocols

Dr. Gruner's week-by-week recovery guidelines. Your plan is individualized; follow these with your physician and physical therapist.

Opening December 1, 2027

Ready to get back in motion?

We are scheduling new patients now. Book an evaluation to find out what is causing your pain and how to treat it.

Request an AppointmentCall (301) 200-9025

Call the front desk

(301) 200-9025

frontdesk@propelsportsortho.com
Fax (301) 664-1148

Email frontdesk@propelsportsortho.com

Call (301) 200-9025Request