What Happens After a Telemedicine Visit for Shoulder Bursitis

Audience: adult

After a telemedicine visit for shoulder bursitis, you will usually receive advice on how to manage your pain and improve shoulder movement at home. Treatment often includes rest, gentle exercises, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Your healthcare provider may suggest ways to avoid activities that worsen your symptoms. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to check your progress. If symptoms do not improve or worsen, further tests or in-person care might be needed. It's important to watch for signs of serious problems, such as severe pain, fever, or sudden loss of shoulder movement, and seek urgent care if these occur. Telemedicine can help you get timely advice and guidance but is not a replacement for in-person medical evaluation when needed.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Severe shoulder pain that does not improve with treatment — seek urgent medical care.
• Fever or chills combined with shoulder pain — possible infection requiring immediate evaluation.
• Sudden inability to move the shoulder or arm — seek emergency care immediately.

What telemedicine can do

• Initial assessment of shoulder pain and symptoms.
• Providing guidance on home care and pain management.
• Monitoring symptom progress through follow-up visits.
• Advising on when to seek in-person care or emergency services.

What telemedicine cannot do

• Performing physical examinations requiring hands-on assessment.
• Administering injections or other in-person treatments.
• Ordering or conducting imaging tests directly.
• Diagnosing complex or unclear cases that need in-person evaluation.

Understanding Shoulder Bursitis

Shoulder bursitis is inflammation of the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that cushions the shoulder joint. It often causes pain and limits movement. Common causes include overuse, injury, or repetitive motions. Symptoms usually develop gradually and may worsen with activity.

What to Expect After Your Telemedicine Visit

Your healthcare provider will review your symptoms and may recommend home treatments such as rest, ice, and gentle shoulder exercises. They might suggest over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). You will receive advice on how to avoid movements that strain your shoulder. Follow-up visits, either by telemedicine or in-person, may be advised to monitor your recovery.

When to Seek In-Person Care

If your pain becomes severe, you develop a fever, or notice sudden loss of shoulder movement, you should seek emergency or in-person care immediately. These signs may indicate infection or other serious conditions. Also, if symptoms do not improve after several weeks of treatment, further evaluation may be necessary.

Managing Shoulder Bursitis at Home

Home care often includes:

Consistent care can help reduce inflammation and improve comfort.

Follow-Up and Monitoring

Your healthcare provider may schedule follow-up telemedicine visits to assess your progress. They might adjust your treatment plan based on how your symptoms change. If needed, imaging tests or physical therapy referrals can be arranged to support your recovery.

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Prepare a quiet, well-lit space for your telemedicine visit.
• Have a list of your symptoms, including when they started and what makes them better or worse.
• Be ready to describe your daily activities and any recent injuries.
• Have a list of current medications and any allergies.
• Prepare questions you want to ask your healthcare provider.
• Ensure your device camera and microphone work properly for the visit.

After your tele-visit

• Follow the treatment advice given during your telemedicine visit.
• Use ice and rest the shoulder as recommended.
• Take any suggested medications as directed.
• Perform gentle exercises if instructed.
• Monitor your symptoms and note any changes.
• Schedule and attend follow-up appointments as advised.
• Seek in-person care if red-flag symptoms develop.

FAQs

Can telemedicine effectively diagnose shoulder bursitis?

Telemedicine allows healthcare providers to assess your symptoms and medical history to make an initial diagnosis. However, some cases may require physical examination or imaging tests that need in-person visits.

What treatments can I expect after a telemedicine visit?

You will likely receive advice on rest, ice application, gentle exercises, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Your provider may also recommend follow-up visits to monitor your progress.

When should I go to the emergency room for shoulder pain?

Seek emergency care if you experience severe pain that does not improve, fever with shoulder pain, or sudden inability to move your shoulder or arm. These signs may indicate serious conditions needing urgent treatment.

Can I continue my normal activities after a telemedicine visit?

Your provider will advise which activities to avoid to prevent worsening symptoms. Generally, avoid heavy lifting or repetitive overhead motions until your shoulder improves.

How long does shoulder bursitis usually take to heal?

With proper care, shoulder bursitis often improves within a few weeks. Recovery time varies depending on the cause and how well you follow treatment recommendations.

Sources

1. Shoulder Bursitis — MedlinePlus | U.S. National Library of Medicine / National Institutes of Health.
2. Bursitis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment — Mayo Clinic.
3. Bursitis — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
4. Bursitis and Tendinitis — Merck Manuals: Consumer Version.

This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical care. Telemedicine can provide guidance but is not a substitute for in-person evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment when needed. Always follow your healthcare provider's advice and seek emergency care for serious symptoms.