Shoulder Pain and Injury Care
Shoulder pain can come from the rotator cuff, arthritis, instability, or an injury. Most shoulder problems improve with physical therapy, activity changes, or injections, and some need surgery. An orthopedic specialist can pinpoint the cause of shoulder pain, weakness, or stiffness and guide treatment from the first visit through full recovery.
At Duly, your shoulder care is supported by specialized doctors or advanced practice providers (APPs) across sports medicine, joint replacement, and upper extremity surgery. You get advanced imaging, a full range of treatments, and surgery options that fit your life, from arthroscopic rotator cuff repair to reverse total shoulder replacement, often as same-day outpatient procedures at our award-winning surgery centers.
On this page
Do I need to see a doctor for pain?
See a doctor if shoulder pain lasts more than a few days, keeps coming back, or wakes you at night. Shoulder pain can start suddenly with an injury or build slowly from wear on the rotator cuff, arthritis, or overhead activity.
Symptoms to watch
- Pain that does not improve with rest, ice, or over-the-counter medicine
- Pain at night, especially lying on the sore shoulder
- Pain or weakness reaching overhead or behind your back
- Trouble lifting everyday things, like a gallon of milk or a bag
- Clicking, popping, or catching when you move your arm
- A shoulder that slips, feels loose, or has dislocated before
- Stiffness that keeps getting worse, month after month
Common causes
- Rotator cuff wear and tears, which become more common with age
- Arthritis in the shoulder joint that builds over time
- Instability and dislocations, often from sports
- Overuse from overhead work, lifting, or throwing
- Frozen shoulder, where the joint slowly stiffens
A note on emergencies: if your shoulder looks deformed after an injury or you cannot move your arm, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911. Sudden shoulder or arm pain with chest pressure, shortness of breath, or sweating can be a sign of a heart attack; call 911 right away. For urgent injuries that are not emergencies, our immediate care centers can often see you the same day.
What does my care journey look like?
Shoulder care at Duly follows a clear path, and every step is tailored to you. Here is what to expect from your first appointment through recovery.
01 Schedule an appointmentSchedule online or by phone. Many patients are seen within days.
02 Meet with a shoulder specialistStart with an Orthopedic shoulder specialist for evaluation and treatment of shoulder conditions.
03 Imaging, if neededX‑ray helps confirm the cause, and some conditions call for an MRI to see the rotator cuff and labrum. Many of our locations offer imaging on site.
04 Review your treatment planYour specialist walks you through your options, and you decide on next steps together.
05 Start treatmentTreatment may include physical therapy and image-guided injections when appropriate. If surgery becomes the best treatment option, your Orthopedic Shoulder Specialist can provide comprehensive surgical care.
06 Surgery, when appropriateIf surgery is the best option, our surgeons use arthroscopic and minimally invasive techniques whenever possible, often as same-day outpatient procedures.
07 Recovery and rehabilitationOur physical therapists guide your recovery with exercises that restore motion first, then rebuild strength.
08 Return to the activities you loveThe goal is not just less pain. It is getting back to what moves you.
What conditions do you treat?
We treat the full range of shoulder conditions, from rotator cuff tears and arthritis to instability and fractures. Here are the most common, grouped by how they usually show up.
Rotator cuff problems
- Rotator cuff tears
- Rotator cuff tendinitis
- Shoulder impingement
- Shoulder bursitis
Arthritis and stiffness
- Shoulder osteoarthritis
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
- Rheumatoid arthritis of the shoulder
Instability and sports injuries
- Shoulder dislocations and instability
- Labral tears, including SLAP and Bankart injuries
- AC joint injuries (separated shoulder)
- Biceps tendon problems
Fractures and injuries
- Shoulder (proximal humerus) fractures
- Collarbone (clavicle) fractures
- Shoulder sprains and strains
What are the treatment options for pain?
Most people feel better without surgery. When surgery makes sense, we offer advanced options, from arthroscopic repair to reverse total shoulder replacement, often done the same day.
Non-surgical
- Physical therapy and strengthening
- Activity modification
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Cortisone injections
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
Surgical
- Shoulder arthroscopy
- Rotator cuff repair
- Bankart repair and shoulder instability surgery
- Subacromial decompression
- Tendon repair and reconstruction
- Shoulder fracture surgery
- Total shoulder replacement
- Reverse total shoulder replacement
Why choose Duly for care?
Because expertise and access matter. Our shoulder care is built around getting you back to work, sports, and everyday reaching, close to home.
Expert surgery, without the hospital price Because many of our procedures happen at an ambulatory surgery center instead of a hospital, the same surgery typically costs 20 to 40% less, which often means lower out-of-pocket costs for you.
Every kind of shoulder replacement We perform both anatomic and reverse total shoulder replacement, matched to the condition of your rotator cuff and your goals, often as same-day outpatient surgery.
Award-winning surgical care Our surgery centers in Westmont and Lombard were named among the Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers for Orthopedics & Spine by U.S. News & World Report in 2026. Learn more about our ASCs
Care for every stage is under one roof: sports medicine, joint replacement, upper extremity surgery, imaging, and physical therapy, coordinated by one team across the Chicago suburbs.
Who will treat my shoulder?
You’ll start by seeing an orthopedic specialist who addresses shoulder concerns. Depending on your condition, you may see a sports medicine provider, joint replacement surgeon, ortho surgeon, pain management provider, or a physical therapist, and they work together on your care plan.
Where can I get shoulder care?
We offer shoulder care across the Chicago suburbs, with on-site imaging and physical therapy at many locations and outpatient surgery at our Ambulatory Surgical Centers.
Frequently asked questions about shoulder care
Why does my shoulder hurt at night?
Night pain, especially lying on the sore side, is one of the most common signs of a rotator cuff problem, like tendinitis, bursitis, or a tear. Lying down puts pressure on the irritated tendons and there are fewer distractions from the ache. If shoulder pain is waking you regularly, it is worth an exam.
Do rotator cuff tears heal on their own?
Partial tears and rotator cuff tendinitis often improve with physical therapy, activity changes, and injections. A full-thickness tear does not reconnect on its own, but not every full tear needs surgery. Many people regain strength and comfort with therapy, while others, especially with larger tears or higher demands on the shoulder, do best with repair. A specialist can tell you which group you are in.
What is frozen shoulder and how long does it last?
Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is when the capsule around the shoulder joint tightens, causing pain and then deep stiffness. It moves through stages and can last months to a couple of years if untreated. Physical therapy, injections, and time help most people recover faster, so earlier care usually means a shorter course.
Will I need shoulder surgery?
Most shoulder pain does not need surgery. Many people feel better with physical therapy, activity changes, medication, or injections. Surgery is usually considered when a tear keeps causing pain or weakness, the shoulder keeps dislocating, arthritis is advanced, or non-surgical care has not worked. A specialist can tell you where your shoulder stands after an exam and imaging.
Ready to reach overhead without thinking twice?
Whether it is a shoulder that aches at night, keeps slipping, or will not loosen up, our shoulder care team will help you move freely again.
