Shoulder

The shoulder is a complex joint with an extremely wide range of motion. As a result of this range of motion it is the most commonly dislocated joint and can cause a significant amount of disability. Proper functioning of the shoulder requires a complicated synchronization of muscles, tendons and ligaments. Our doctors can help guide your shoulder back to normal function.

Rotator Cuff Tears

Labrum Tears

Rotator cuff tendon tears are more commonly found in people age 60 and over. Through chronic activity and tendon degeneration, these tendons can eventually rupture causing significant pain and disability. Patients often complain of pain and inability with lifting their arm to the side and difficulty sleeping. While these tendons do not heal on their own, the pain and weakness can improve with non-operative measures. Unfortunately for many, this provides incomplete relief and requires arthroscopic surgery to repair the tendons.

Labrum tears of the shoulder are injuries often occur with shoulder dislocations as well as with chronic overhead activities, such as tennis or swimming. Superior labrum tears (SLAP tears) are often repaired arthroscopically.

Impingement

Arthritis

Patients often complain of pain to their shoulder with certain motions such as reaching overhead or across their body. This is a result of the narrow space in the shoulder for the rotator cuff to travel through. This condition called impingement can be treated with various therapies, injections and sometimes surgery.

Shoulder arthritis is a loss of cartilage in the joint through gradual wear and tear. Like arthritis of the knee and hip it can be very debilitating requiring many years of treatment. Ultimately when all modalities fail, a shoulder replacement is the best option for some patients.