Shoulder Pain Doctor in New Jersey

Shoulder pain can make simple movements uncomfortable. Reaching overhead, getting dressed, lifting groceries, or sleeping on your side can become difficult when your shoulder isn’t functioning properly.

Some shoulder problems develop after an injury. Others begin gradually from repetitive movement, arthritis, tendon damage, or conditions affecting the neck.

Because the shoulder is a complex joint, identifying the exact source of pain is important. A rotator cuff injury, joint inflammation, and a pinched nerve in the neck may produce similar symptoms but require different treatment approaches.

For nearly 30 years, Dr. Todd Koppel has helped patients throughout New Jersey manage musculoskeletal and nerve-related pain.

His approach focuses on understanding what’s causing your symptoms and developing a personalized treatment plan based on your diagnosis, lifestyle, and goals.

Common Symptoms of Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain affects everyone differently.

Depending on the underlying cause, symptoms may include:

• Pain when lifting or reaching overhead
• Difficulty reaching behind your back
• Pain when lying on the affected shoulder
• Shoulder stiffness or reduced range of motion
• Weakness when lifting or carrying objects
• Pain that travels down the arm
• Clicking, catching, or grinding sensations
• Tenderness around the shoulder joint
• Numbness or tingling when a nerve is involved
• Pain that interferes with sleep or daily activities

The location of your pain, movements that trigger it, and whether you experience weakness or numbness can provide important clues about the cause.

What Is Causing Your Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain may originate in the joint, surrounding tendons and muscles, or the cervical spine.

Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy and Tears

The rotator cuff helps stabilize the shoulder and allows you to lift and rotate your arm.

Repetitive activity, age-related changes, or an injury can cause irritation, degeneration, or tearing of the tendons.

Symptoms often include pain with overhead movement, weakness, and discomfort at night.

Depending on the severity, treatment may include physical therapy, PRP therapy, or other procedures. Selected tendon injuries may be evaluated for tenotomy or regenerative treatment.

Shoulder Arthritis

Arthritis can develop when cartilage within the shoulder joint becomes damaged or wears down.

Common symptoms include aching, stiffness, reduced movement, and grinding sensations.

Treatment may include activity modification, rehabilitation, medication, or targeted joint injections.

Shoulder Bursitis

Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that help reduce friction between tissues.

Inflammation of a bursa around the shoulder can cause pain when raising the arm or lying on the affected side.

Bursitis may occur alongside rotator cuff problems or other shoulder conditions.

Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, causes progressive stiffness and restricted shoulder movement.

It can make everyday activities such as dressing, reaching, and washing your hair difficult.

Treatment often includes rehabilitation and, in selected cases, injections to help manage pain and support movement.

Cervical Radiculopathy

Not all shoulder pain comes from the shoulder itself.

A compressed or irritated nerve in the neck can cause pain that travels into the shoulder, arm, or hand. Numbness, tingling, or weakness may also occur.

If the cervical spine is responsible, treatment may involve cervical injection therapy or epidural steroid injections, depending on the diagnosis.

Learn more about neck pain.

How We Diagnose Shoulder Pain

Successful treatment begins with identifying whether your symptoms originate in the shoulder joint, surrounding soft tissues, or the neck.

During your evaluation, Dr. Koppel reviews your symptoms, medical history, previous injuries, and treatments.

Your evaluation may include:

• Physical examination of the shoulder and neck
• Assessment of shoulder movement and strength
• Evaluation of tendon function
• Neurological testing when nerve involvement is suspected
• Review of X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI when appropriate
• Assessment of previous treatment results

By identifying the source of pain, Dr. Koppel can recommend treatment directed at the underlying condition.

When Should You See a Shoulder Pain Specialist?

Consider scheduling an evaluation if:

• Shoulder pain lasts several weeks without improvement
• You have difficulty lifting your arm or reaching overhead
• Pain regularly interrupts your sleep
• You experience persistent weakness
• Pain travels into your arm or hand
• Physical therapy or other conservative treatments haven’t provided adequate relief

Seek prompt medical attention for severe pain following an injury, sudden loss of shoulder function, or new significant weakness.

Shoulder or arm pain accompanied by chest pressure, shortness of breath, or other possible cardiac symptoms requires emergency evaluation.

Shoulder Pain Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the cause of your shoulder pain.

Dr. Koppel may recommend conservative care, targeted injections, or selected procedures based on your diagnosis.

Joint Injections

Targeted joint injections may help manage pain associated with certain inflammatory or degenerative shoulder conditions.

The type of injection and location depend on the source of discomfort.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

PRP therapy may be considered for certain tendon injuries or other musculoskeletal conditions.

PRP uses a concentrated preparation of platelets from your own blood. Its effectiveness varies by condition, and evidence does not establish it as a reliable way to heal every type of rotator cuff tear.

Tenotomy for Tendon Injuries

For selected cases of chronic tendon damage, tenotomy may be an option.

The specific procedure depends on the affected tendon and injury. It is not appropriate for every rotator cuff condition, particularly larger or complete tears.

Stem Cell-Based Treatment for Selected Injuries

Dr. Koppel may discuss stem cell-based procedures for certain tendon or rotator cuff injuries, including selected small tears.

These procedures remain an evolving area of medicine. Clinical evidence is limited and varies by preparation and condition, and they should not be presented as proven methods for regenerating or repairing a torn rotator cuff.

Dr. Koppel can explain the proposed procedure, its limitations, alternatives, and whether it may be appropriate for your situation.

Cervical Injections for Neck-Related Shoulder Pain

When shoulder pain originates from a cervical spine condition, treatment may focus on the neck rather than the shoulder joint.

Depending on the diagnosis, options may include cervical injections or epidural steroid injections.

Why Choose Dr. Todd Koppel?

Dr. Koppel understands that shoulder pain can have several different causes, each requiring an individualized treatment approach.

His goal is to identify the source of your symptoms and help you understand your options before moving forward.

Patients choose Dr. Koppel because he offers:

• Nearly 30 years of pain management experience
• 1,000+ five-star patient reviews across trusted review platforms
• Board certification in Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology
• Fellowship training in Interventional Pain Management
• A medical degree from Weill Cornell Medical College
• Residency training at The New York Hospital & The Hospital for Special Surgery.
• Experience evaluating joint, tendon, and nerve-related pain
• Personalized treatment recommendations
• Advanced image-guided procedures when appropriate
• An approach that considers conservative treatment before more invasive options

Dr. Koppel works with patients throughout New Jersey to help them manage pain and improve everyday function.