What Kind of Shoulder Pain Are You Experiencing?
Everyday Shoulder Pain & Arthritis
Shoulder arthritis and everyday stiffness often develop gradually due to wear and tear on the joint. Early evaluation can help relieve pain, improve mobility, and prevent symptoms from worsening.
Rotator Cuff & Labrum Injuries
Rotator cuff tears and labral injuries are often caused by repetitive overhead movement, a fall, or a shoulder dislocation. An accurate diagnosis is the first step toward relieving pain and restoring function.
Sudden Injury or Severe Pain
Sudden or severe shoulder pain may indicate a dislocation, fracture, or significant tear requiring prompt evaluation. Our orthopedic specialists can quickly assess your symptoms and recommend the appropriate treatment.
The Community Memorial Difference
CLINICAL EXPERTISE
PROVEN RESULTS
Get Immediate Access to World-Class Care
Walk-In Orthopedic Clinics
Same Day Appointments Available
Hamilton
Monday through Friday
8am – 11:45am,
12:30pm – 3pm
160 Broad St.
Hamilton, NY
New Hartford
Wednesdays
8am – 3pm
83 Genesee St.
New Hartford, NY
Cazenovia
2nd & 4th Tuesday Each Month
8am – 3pm
3045 John Trush Jr. Blvd, Suite 1
Cazenovia, NY
After Hours Clinic
Walk-Ins Only
After Hours
Thursdays
5pm – 8pm
160 Broad St.
Hamilton, NY
Emergency Department
Because the Faster, the Better
The Emergency Department in Hamilton provides an exceptionally efficient option if you urgently require help with any severe orthopedic concerns, such as joint fractures, a sports injury, or severe joint pain. We have the shortest wait times in the area, we can get pain under control and then quickly get you in to one of our world-class specialists at Community Memorial Center for Orthopedics. The sooner you can get pain under control, and in front of a specialist, the better.
Emergency Department in Hamilton
24 Hours a Day, 365 Days a Year
150 Broad Street, Hamilton, NY
Meet the Surgeons
Shoulder pain can affect everything from your workday to your favorite hobbies. Community Memorial's orthopedic specialists combine advanced training with a personalized approach to care, taking the time to understand your symptoms, explain your treatment options, and help you find the best path forward.
Dr. Richelle Takemoto
Director of Robotic Technology
Advanced expertise in:
First female surgeon to perform VELYS robotic-assisted knee replacement and among the highest-volume VELYS robotic surgeons nationally.
Dr. Kamal Banga
Orthopedic Surgeon
Advanced expertise in:
Board-certified orthopedic surgeon with advanced fellowship training in upper extremity and orthopedic sports medicine.
Dr. Thomas Toole
Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Surgery
Advanced expertise in:
Fellowship-trained sports medicine surgeon with experience working alongside the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres medical teams.
Community Memorial is proud to receive a 4-Star Patient Satisfaction Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a recognition of exceptional care and patient experience. This reflects our commitment to providing quality, compassionate, and excellent healthcare every day. Thank you to our patients and staff for making this possible!
GET BETTER
Orthopedic Care
World Class Care
Community Memorial’s orthopedic program combines experienced specialists, advanced technology, convenient access to care, and a commitment to exceptional patient outcomes. Recognized for quality care and patient experience, our team provides expert orthopedics close to home, with walk-in clinics, emergency orthopedic services, and advanced treatment options designed to help patients get better and get back to living.
Shoulder Pain: Wear and Tear vs. Injury
Not all shoulder pain has the same cause, and finding the root of your symptoms is the first step toward effective treatment. Gradual wear and tear, such as shoulder arthritis, develops as joint cartilage breaks down over time due to age or repetitive movement. This typically causes general stiffness and persistent pain, which is often managed with physical therapy, medications, or eventually joint replacement.
In contrast, injuries like rotator cuff and labral tears often happen suddenly from a fall, dislocation, or heavy overhead activity. These conditions frequently cause weakness, joint instability, or a catching sensation. While minor or partial tears may respond well to conservative care like rest, physical therapy, and injections, severe or complete tears usually require surgical repair to fully restore your shoulder's strength and function.
Minimally Invasive Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery
Arthroscopic surgery allows Community Memorial's orthopedic surgeons to repair shoulder conditions through small incisions using a miniature camera and instruments. Because arthroscopic surgery uses smaller incisions than traditional surgery, many patients experience less post-operative pain, a lower risk of complications, and a faster recovery.
Sports Medicine at Community Memorial
Our sports medicine team understands what it means to want to stay active and compete. Whether you're a weekend pickleball player, golfer, or high school athlete, we work to get you back in the game safely and efficiently, with treatment plans that respect your goals and your timeline.
Learn More About the VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution
Community Memorial Now Offers iovera° Solution for Pain Relief
FAQs
Understanding Your Symptoms
Nighttime shoulder pain is a common complaint, particularly with rotator cuff injuries, shoulder arthritis, and bursitis. When you lie down, changes in shoulder position and blood flow can increase pressure on inflamed tissues, making pain more noticeable during sleep.
Common signs include a dull ache deep in the shoulder, weakness when lifting or rotating the arm, difficulty reaching behind your back, and pain that worsens with overhead activity. A full tear may cause a more significant loss of strength and range of motion.
The labrum is a ring of cartilage surrounding the shoulder socket that helps stabilize the joint. Labral tears can occur after a shoulder dislocation, repetitive overhead movement, or a fall. Symptoms may include a catching or locking sensation, deep shoulder pain, and feelings of instability.
Yes. Shoulder arthritis, most commonly osteoarthritis, involves the gradual breakdown of cartilage in the joint. It typically causes progressive pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion, particularly with overhead movements.
If your shoulder pain persists for more than a few weeks, limits your ability to lift or rotate your arm, causes instability, or disrupts your sleep, an evaluation is recommended. Early evaluation can help identify the cause of your pain and guide the most appropriate treatment.
Treatment & Diagnosis
Yes. Many shoulder conditions, including partial rotator cuff tears and early-stage arthritis, respond well to conservative treatment. Depending on your diagnosis, treatment may include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, activity modification, or targeted injections. Your provider will recommend a treatment plan based on the cause of your symptoms.
Community Memorial offers a full range of treatment options, including physical therapy, medications, image-guided injections, and arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Your care plan will be tailored to your diagnosis and goals.
Surgery may be recommended when conservative treatments no longer provide relief, or when a rotator cuff tear, labral tear, or advanced arthritis is significantly affecting your strength, stability, or quality of life. Your surgeon will discuss your treatment options and help you determine the best approach for your condition.
Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that allows surgeons to repair shoulder conditions through small incisions using a miniature camera and instruments. Compared to traditional open surgery, many patients experience less post-operative pain, a lower risk of complications, and a faster recovery.
Recovery timelines vary depending on your specific diagnosis and procedure. Many patients begin conservative treatment and feel improvement within a few weeks. Surgical recovery typically involves a period of immobilization followed by progressive physical therapy, with full recovery taking several months.
Appointments & Getting Care
Referral requirements vary depending on your insurance plan. Our team can help you understand your coverage and determine whether a referral is needed before scheduling an appointment.
A walk-in orthopedic clinic provides convenient access to specialized care for musculoskeletal injuries and joint pain without requiring a scheduled appointment. Patients can receive an evaluation, imaging if needed, and recommendations for treatment or follow-up care from an orthopedic provider.
Please bring a photo ID, insurance card, a list of current medications, and any relevant medical records or imaging studies related to your shoulder pain or injury. Wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows easy access to the shoulder may also be helpful during your evaluation.
Dislocations, suspected rotator cuff or labral tears, severe swelling, sudden instability, and injuries that prevent you from moving or lifting your arm should be evaluated as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment can help reduce complications and support recovery.
Most shoulder pain can be evaluated by an orthopedic specialist, but some symptoms require immediate medical attention. Go to the emergency room if you experience a visible deformity, an inability to move your arm, severe pain following a major injury, or shoulder pain accompanied by numbness or loss of circulation in the arm or hand. If you're unsure whether your symptoms require emergency care, seek medical attention promptly.
Take the First Step Toward Pain-Free Movement
Don't let shoulder pain keep you from doing the things you enjoy. Schedule an appointment with Community Memorial's orthopedic specialists to receive an accurate diagnosis and explore treatment options tailored to your needs. New patients are welcome.
"*" indicates required fields
Find an Orthopedic Clinic Near You
Hamilton Orthopedic Clinic
Monday through Friday
8am – 3pm
160 Broad St., Hamilton, NY
New Hartford Orthopedic Clinic
Wednesdays
8am – 3pm
83 Genesee St., New Hartford, NY
Cazenovia Orthopedic Clinic
Tuesday through Wednesday
8am – 3pm
3045 John Trush Jr. Boulevard, Suite 1 Cazenovia, NY
Click to Call