Article: If your pain worsens or doesn't start to improve after a few days, have your doctor perform a physical exam. They might order an MRI or ultrasound to diagnose tendonitis or to see if your condition has worsened. Tell your doctor when the pain started, how much pain you're in, what activities you've been doing, and what medications you've taken. The physical therapist will passively stretch you, or manually move your arm, to help restore your mobility. They'll then guide you through active stretches and exercises to strengthen your tendons. The physical therapist will let you know which stretches will help the specific part of your shoulder that's affected. They'll also show you how to properly stretch and exercise at home. If over-the-counter pain relievers haven't been effective, your doctor might administer a cortisone shot to control pain and swelling. They'll numb the area before the injection, so you won't feel anything. After receiving the injection, you'll need to avoid vigorous activity for 2 weeks. Ask your doctor if you need to stop taking medications, such as blood thinners, or make any dietary changes before you receive a cortisone injection. Many primary care physicians do cortisone injections in their offices, while others may refer you to a sports medicine or orthopedic surgeon for this. If your tendonitis is severe or has progressed to a full tear, you might need surgery to repair the joint or remove damaged tissue. Most people go home around 4 hours after surgery, and recovery usually takes 1 to 6 months. You'll most likely need to wear a sling for at least a week after surgery. Seeing a physical therapist for a few months after surgery will help you regain mobility and strength. You might not regain full strength after tendonitis surgery, but it should relieve your pain.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
See your doctor if your pain persists or worsens. Get a referral to a physical therapist. Ask your doctor about a cortisone injection. Discuss surgical repair, if necessary.