Which department should I visit for shoulder and arm soreness?
Disease description:
Mom says she’s experiencing soreness and pain in her shoulder and arm. I plan to take her to the hospital to see a doctor—what department should we visit for shoulder and arm pain?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lin Yunfei
In most cases, patients should consult an orthopedic specialist. This symptom is commonly caused by shoulder joint disorders, often with a prolonged duration; shoulder pain may gradually develop following minor trauma and, in severe cases, can disturb sleep and significantly limit the range of motion of the shoulder joint. Patients should undergo shoulder radiography in the orthopedic department to assess for possible osteophyte formation, arthritis, or metastatic tumors. Ideally, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the shoulder joint should also be performed to evaluate for intra-articular structural injuries, such as rotator cuff tears.
