Relief for Chronic Shoulder Pain or Injury

We treat all types of shoulder conditions, from acute injuries, such as sprains, to long-term degenerative issues. Our treatments and procedures are designed to help restore your shoulder health and stability.

The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint held together by muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The shoulder is one of the most flexible joints in your body, allowing you to raise and rotate your arm in multiple directions. That same flexibility is what makes your shoulder more susceptible to injury than other joints. Years of use and strain can lead to conditions such as stiffness, loss of motion, and even arthritis. Young athletes can suffer from shoulder injuries such as rotator cuff tears, impingements, dislocations, and separations.

Shoulder Conditions We Treat

Listed below are some common shoulder conditions treated by our orthopedic specialists:

Bursitis

Shoulder bursitis is inflammation of bursae, small fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction between moving parts in your joints. It's linked to repetitive motions frequently associated with swimming or weightlifting.

Rotator cuff injuries

Rotator cuff injuries occur most often in people who repeatedly perform overhead motions in their jobs or sports. Painters, carpenters, or individuals who play baseball or tennis may have a dull ache in their shoulder, which can worsen over time.

Dislocations

A dislocated shoulder is an injury in which your upper arm bone pops out of the cup-shaped socket that's part of your shoulder blade. Symptoms and signs may include a visibly deformed or out-of-place shoulder, swelling or bruising, intense pain, and inability to move the joint.

Pains, sprains, and fractures

Sprains and fractures typically occur after a fall or sudden movement. Chronic overuse of muscles or joints can also cause sprains and fractures. Symptoms may include limited range of motion of the shoulder, stiffness, swelling and bruising of the joint, or sharp pain at the site of the injury.

Osteoarthritis/rheumatoid arthritis

These degenerative conditions can inflame and damage the shoulder joint and tissues. Symptoms may include stiffness or pain.

Frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder is a condition that limits shoulder movement and may follow an injury. It's usually caused by inflammation, and symptoms may include stiffness, pain, and decreased motion of the shoulder.

Diagnosing Shoulder Conditions

At Kelsey-Seybold, our Orthopedics and Sports Medicine specialists will assess your shoulder condition through a physical evaluation to assess your shoulder's range of motion, strength, and stability, as well as swelling or deformity. Finding possible causes of pain begins with a close examination of your shoulder through:

• X-ray
• MRI
• Ultrasound
• CT scan
• Imaging

Treating Shoulder Injuries and Conditions

Treating shoulder pain depends on the cause and the severity of the pain. In many cases, your Kelsey-Seybold Orthopedics or Sports Medicine physician may recommend nonsurgical solutions that will help improve shoulder strength and flexibility. Treatment may include:

• Rest
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Physical therapy or exercise
• Stretching
• Heat or ice application
• Imaging
• Cortisone injections

Surgery for Shoulder Conditions

Kelsey-Seybold's expert shoulder surgeons specialize in the comprehensive treatment of disorders and complex problems affecting the shoulder. Delaying surgical repair of your shoulder may increase the likelihood that the problem will become more difficult to treat later. Early diagnosis and treatment of shoulder problems can make a significant difference. Some of the types of shoulder surgeries our specialists perform include:

• Shoulder arthroscopy
• Bankart repair
• Rotator cuff repair
• SLAP repair
• Biceps and tendon surgery
• AC joint reconstruction
• Shoulder instability and revision surgery
• Shoulder replacement