shoulder care

If you have Shoulder Pain, nothing quite compares!  It makes most any activity more difficult, and interferes with a good night sleep.  It may be acute---or perhaps you've been "living with it" for years.

On this page you will find "Popular Topics" relevant to the Shoulder. Under each topic, popular questions will be raised, and answered. Further, you will have the opportunity to add your reply/question as part of a dynamic, informative "Forum". We encourage you to participate in Forums on this site so that you become comfortable with what your condition might be, and where to turn next.

Additionally, under "additional resources",  you may access abundant content via a link to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Website.

Lastly,  you will find informative videos regarding many conditions and procedures, including:
Impingement syndrome (shoulder bursitis), Shoulder arthritis, Rotator cuff tears, Shoulder Instability and Dislocation

conditions

  • Biceps Tendinitis

    Biceps Tendinitis

    This condition is an irritation or inflammation of the biceps tendon at the shoulder. The biceps tendon helps to stabilize the humerus and aids in activities that involve overhead motion such as tennis or throwing a ball.

  • Fracture of the Collarbone (Clavicle)

    Fracture of the Collarbone (Clavicle)

    This condition occurs when a part of the clavicle, commonly called the collarbone, is fractured. A broken collarbone is fairly common, and occurs most frequently in children and athletes.

  • Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)

    Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)

    This condition is a loss of motion or stiffness in the shoulder, usually accompanied by pain in the joint. Frozen shoulder is most common in people between the ages of 40 and 60, but can affect anyone regardless of gender, arm preference or occupation.

  • Joint Arthritis (AC)

    Joint Arthritis (AC)

    This condition, also called AC joint arthrosis, is a degeneration of the joint at the top of the shoulder where the acromion meets the clavicle

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) of the Shoulder

    Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) of the Shoulder

    Rheumatoid arthritis, a condition of the immune system that can attack joints throughout the body, commonly affects the shoulder. Over time, it can destroy cartilage and bone in the joint.

  • Rotator Cuff Tears

    Rotator Cuff Tears

    The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that cover the head of the humerus and hold it securely inside the shoulder socket. The cuff helps maintain joint stability while allowing the arm to lift and rotate. A tear of the rotator cuff can be painful and can interfere with shoulder movement. Four muscles make up the cuff: the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis muscles.

  • Shoulder Arthritis

    Shoulder Arthritis

    Arthritis (also called osteoarthritis or degenerative arthritis) involves the swelling and damage of the joint. The condition causes pain and stiffness and limits shoulder joint movement.

  • Shoulder Dislocations

    Shoulder Dislocations

    This condition occurs when the head of the upper arm bone, the humerus, slips out of the socket formed by the scapula at the shoulder joint. Because the shoulder is not as stable as other joints, this injury is common.

  • Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

    Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

    This condition occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff, along with the subacromial bursa, become compressed against a bony scapula protrusion called the acromion. As these tissues continually rub against bone, they become irritated and inflamed.

  • Shoulder Separation

    Shoulder Separation

    This condition is an injury to the joint at the top of the shoulder where the acromion meets the clavicle, called the acromioclavicular (or AC) joint. The ligaments that hold these bones together are partially or completely tom, allowing the bones to separate.

  • SLAP Tear

    SLAP Tear

    This condition is a tear of the labrum in the shoulder joint. The labrum is ring of cartilage around the shoulder socket that stabilizes the head of the humerus. A SLAP tear occurs at the point where the biceps tendon attaches to the labrum.

  • Snapping Scapula Syndrome

    Snapping Scapula Syndrome

    This is a problem that involves the scapula. That's the bone we call the "shoulder blade." With this condition, you have a shoulder blade that catches when you lift or move your arm. You may find this only slightly irritating, or it may be very painful.

  • Suprascapular Neuropathy

    Suprascapular Neuropathy

    This is a pain or weakness from an irritated nerve in your shoulder. It's called the "suprascapular" nerve. It travels from the neck down through your shoulder.

  • Winged Scapula

    Winged Scapula

    This is a problem of the scapula bone. That's your "shoulder blade." With this condition, you have a shoulder blade that sticks out instead of lying flat. It lifts away from your back, and it doesn't look like your other shoulder blade

procedures

  • Arthroscopic Bankart Repair

    Arthroscopic Bankart Repair

    This arthroscopic procedure is used to repair a detached labrum. The labrum is a thick band of cartilage attached to the glenoid bone. It lines the shoulder socket and helps keep the ball of the humerus in place.

  • Arthroscopic Capsular Release

    Arthroscopic Capsular Release

    This minimally-invasive surgery is used to help relieve pain and loss of mobility in the shoulder from adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder).

  • Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

    Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

    This surgical procedure is used to inspect and reattach torn tendons in the shoulder's rotator cuff. The initial part of the surgery is performed arthroscopically through small tubes. In some cases, open surgery may be needed to repair large tears.

  • Biceps Tenodesis

    Biceps Tenodesis

    This surgery repairs a biceps tendon in your shoulder. It fixes a tendon that is partially torn, or completely torn, from the bone.

  • Latarjet Procedure for Shoulder Instability

    Latarjet Procedure for Shoulder Instability

    This surgical procedure modifies your shoulder socket. It helps keep the head of the humerus from slipping out of the glenoid. You may benefit from this procedure if you have frequent shoulder dislocations.

  • ORIF Surgery for Proximal Humerus Fracture

    ORIF Surgery for Proximal Humerus Fracture

    This surgical procedure repairs a break in the proximal end of the humerus. ORIF stands for Open Reduction Internal Fixation. During this procedure, an incision will be made and a metal plate will be attached to the humerus to hold the bone in place while it heals.

  • Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

    Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

    This surgery removes the damaged or diseased ball end of the humerus and replaces it with an artificial joint that completely reverses the structure of the shoulder.

  • Shoulder Impingement Surgery

    Shoulder Impingement Surgery

    This outpatient procedure relieves pain by decompressing the tight space around the rotator tendon of the shoulder joint. The surgeon removes the bursa and trims back the acromion bone to allow for normal pain-free motion. In most cases, this procedure is performed arthroscopically.

  • SLAP Repair

    SLAP Repair

    This arthroscopic procedure is performed to repair a tear of the biceps tendon at the point where it connects to the labrum, a ring of cartilage that surrounds the shoulder socket. A tear at this point is called a SLAP (Superior Labrum Anterior Posterior) tear. SLAP repair is performed under general and regional anesthesia, and patients usually leave the hospital the same day.

  • Total Shoulder Replacement

    Total Shoulder Replacement

    This surgery replaces the damaged or diseased head of the humerus (also called the ball) and cartilage from the shoulder joint with a metal and plastic joint

additional resources