The shoulder is the most mobile joint of the body and provides a great range of motion. That freedom of movement also makes the joint susceptible to injury especially for swimmers and athletes who play sports which require throwing or lifting.
Common symptoms of a shoulder injury include pain, even when the arm is at rest, limited movement, pain when lifting objects and cracking or creaking noises when the arm or shoulder is rotated.
Common Conditions We Treat
These are the most common shoulder issues we see:
- Shoulder arthritis
- Dislocation
- Impingement/Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
- Shoulder separation
- Shoulder fractures
- Rotator Cuff Tears
- Adhesive capsulitis or frozen shoulder
Shoulder Treatment Options
The first step in treating your shoulder pain is to determine the cause of the problem, so we will begin with a physical evaluation of your shoulder and ask you a few questions about your pain. If necessary, we will order imaging tests including x-ray or MRIs to help us determine the best treatment plan. Your care may involve:
- Physical Therapy – Sometimes, a shoulder can be rehabilitated back to health with a guided series of exercises and strength training
- Prosthetics – Some injuries need bracing or stabilizing for maximum healing
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Injections – Sometimes, an injection directly into the shoulder can provide long-term relief from pain and increased mobility. We offer ultrasound guided injections to ensure the most accurate delivery of medication to aid healing.
- Surgery – If surgery is warranted, you’ll see an orthopedic surgeon to determine the best course of action to heal your shoulder pain. Open repair surgery may be performed or your surgeon may recommend minimally invasive, arthroscopic surgery.
Surgical Procedures
NGPG Orthopedics & Sports Medicine provides surgical intervention for shoulder injury or disease that does not respond to non-surgical treatment. Those surgeries include:
If the tear is large, the surgeon may use an open surgery technique to detach the shoulder muscle and gain access to the torn tendon. If there are bone spurs, your surgeon will remove them before repairing the tendon. Depending on your injury, the surgeon may use a small camera inserted into a small incision to guide him during the surgery. Known as arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, this technique allows for smaller incisions than traditional surgery. A third option for rotator cuff repair is a surgery known as “mini-open,” which uses an incision smaller than the traditional surgical option, but larger than the incision required for arthroscopic surgery. Your surgeon will use the technique which best suits your specific condition. Most patients will wear a sling to immobilize the shoulder for about six weeks following surgery and receive physical therapy to help strengthen the arm and shoulder after surgery.
Sometimes, after a shoulder has been dislocated and reset (usually in an emergency room), the shoulder requires surgery to fully heal. Dislocated shoulders in people under the age of 25 generally warrant a surgical intervention to repair soft torn tissues.
Most fractures of the bones of the shoulder: the collar bone, arm bone and shoulder blade can be treated without surgery. In a few cases, fragments may require surgical intervention.
Get Started
For questions, more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact NGPG Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine.