Shoulder

Are you dealing with shoulder pain and looking for relief? If so, it may be time to consult a shoulder specialist. Choosing the right medical professional to address your specific issue can make all the difference in helping you get back to feeling like yourself again.

With the vast experience they bring, our shoulder specialists are uniquely qualified to provide much-needed treatment options tailored specifically to your condition.

Our shoulder specialists at Orthopedic Specialists & Sports Medicine have the expertise and training required to evaluate and treat a variety of shoulder injuries and conditions. Book an appointment at our practice in Granville or Coshocton, Ohio today!

Shoulder Joint Anatomy

The shoulder is the most flexible joint of the body. The three bones that make up the shoulder are the humerus (the upper arm bone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the clavicle (collar bone).

The top part of the scapula, called the acromion, meets with the collarbone. The glenoid, found at the end of the shoulder blade, holds the head of the humerus to form the ball and socket joint.

The joint is reinforced by the labrum, a cup-shaped rim of cartilage that lines the joint.

The rotator cuff wraps around the shoulder from the scapular. These four muscles allow you to remove the arm and shoulder.

How a Shoulder Specialist Can Help

Shoulder doctors often work with patients who have been in auto accidents or have fallen. In these situations, the shoulder pain that develops is almost always related to that injury and not a preexisting condition. Because of this, once their shoulder heals, the pain typically goes away as long as the patient follows the recommendations their shoulder doctor has prescribed.

Athletes are also common patients of shoulder doctors and typically suffer from overuse injuries, like a rotator cuff tear or tendon injury. People with chronic conditions, such as arthritis, are treated by shoulder doctors as well.

Shoulder doctors are experts who understand both the medicine behind shoulder issues as well as the disruptions they can cause in daily life. For instance, when a patient has shoulder pain, even simple tasks can be excruciating, such as taking out the trash or emptying the dishwasher.

Shoulder injuries can often be treated with non-surgical methods, like injections. However, there are some cases where conservative treatments do not provide proper relief and surgery is needed, like a shoulder replacement or arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Shoulder doctors help people experiencing shoulder pain for a wide variety of reasons and help them find ways to reduce their pain and improve their shoulder condition so they can lead an even better quality of life.

When It's Time to See a Shoulder Doctor

You should see a shoulder doctor at the onset of symptoms. This is important because if a shoulder issue is diagnosed and treated early on, it will help to avoid further shoulder damage and pain in the future.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, book an appointment with one of our shoulder specialists for a diagnosis:

  • Arm or hand weakness
  • Bump or swelling at the top of the shoulder
  • Decreased range of motion after a medical procedure
  • Grinding or popping sounds in the shoulder joint
  • Pain that travels down to your elbow
  • Pain that’s worse at night
  • Pain when trying to lift your arms above your head
  • Swelling and/or tenderness
  • Tingling and/or numbness
  • Tennis shoulder pain

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain

Our shoulder specialists treat a variety of shoulder conditions. Some of the most common causes of shoulder pain are as follows:

What Treatments Do We Offer for Shoulder Pain?

Our orthopedic surgeons offer a variety of treatment options to treat a shoulder injury. We will always try to use conservative treatments first. However, there are times when orthopedic surgery is the best option for recovery.

Physical Therapy

Our physical therapists can work with you to provide targeted exercises for the shoulder. These physical therapy exercises can help restore range of motion and strengthen the shoulder joint.

Shoulder Arthroscopy

Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that treats many shoulder injuries. Arthroscopic surgery involves using a small camera and surgical instruments through a small incision.

Your surgeon can use this procedure to repair damaged tendons, such as the rotator cuff tendons, through tiny incisions. It can also be used to address shoulder instability, such as a torn labrum (SLAP surgery) or biceps tendon.

Rotator Cuff Surgery

A rotator cuff repair can help fix a partially or completely torn rotator cuff. During a rotator cuff repair, the surgeon will repair the torn tendons using small sutures to create strength and stability in the tendon. The surgeon will then reattach the tendon to its original position within the shoulder joint using special anchors.

Total Shoulder Replacement Surgery

Total shoulder replacement can be used to treat a shoulder joint that is damaged by osteoarthritis. The surgeon will remove the damaged bone and cartilage and replace it with metal and plastic components. This type of total shoulder replacement surgery is very effective at restoring the functionality of a shoulder joint.

Reverse Shoulder Replacement

A reverse shoulder replacement is an alternative method of treating an arthritic shoulder. It is usually performed on older patients who suffer rotator cuff tear arthropathy. The components of the ball and socket are switched in this type of treatment. The metal ball is attached to the glenoid and the cup to the top of your humerus.

Conditions

Treatments

Keeping You Active at Orthopedic Specialists & Sports Medicine

Finding a doctor who can expertly diagnose and treat your shoulder pain is one of the most important decisions you will make regarding your care. Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons at Orthopedic Specialists & Sports Medicine, Edward L. Westerheide, M.D., Brad L. Bernacki, M.D., and Alex Tancevski, M.D., have specialized training in diagnosing and treating a variety of shoulder injuries and conditions.

Our doctors will always look to provide the most conservative treatment option before recommending surgery. If shoulder surgery is the best option, our surgeons have the necessary experience to perform surgical shoulder procedures, such as shoulder replacement, arthroscopic shoulder surgery, rotator cuff repair, SLAP repair surgery, stabilization surgery, or reverse total shoulder replacement.

You can trust our surgeons to provide you with compassionate, expert orthopedic care to get you moving and keep you active. Our shoulder surgeons work closely with our specialty-trained therapy team. Our physical therapists provide expert rehabilitation services and can provide a tailored treatment plan to your individual needs in order to restore function and get you back to the life you love.

Our shoulder specialists also understand that some injuries occur when least expected, which is why we are proud to offer our Orthopedic Urgent Care to treat patients who are suffering from acute orthopedic injuries and conditions. Walk-ins are welcome, and no appointment is necessary.

To schedule an appointment with one of our shoulder surgeons at our office in Granville or Coshocton, please request an appointment online or call (740) 788-9220. We look forward to giving you the help you need!

Medically reviewed by Brad L. Bernacki, M. D.