Shoulder

Your shoulders are the most flexible joints in your body. A healthy shoulder has a range of motion that includes forward and backward movements, up and down, and a circular rotating movement. Such abilities lead to the increased risk of injury, either in sports or other activities, related to a fall or accident or over time with consistent use. Altru Orthopedics & Sports Medicine offers treatment for the many different injuries that can occur to the bones, tendons, ligaments and muscles that make up your shoulder. 

Common shoulder injuries include:

• Arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, can cause severe damage to shoulders. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by chronic inflammation, which over time can destroy the inner lining of a joint. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that covers the surface of a joint wears thin, causing the bones to rub against each other. Symptoms of arthritis include shoulder pain and reduced range of motion.
• Dislocation of the shoulder occurs when the humerus, or the head of the upper arm bone, slips out of the glenoid, or the socket. Dislocated shoulders are typically caused by trauma endured after a car crash, a fall, a seizure or while playing sports. Symptoms include bruising, deformity, numb sensation, swelling and weakness.
• Fractures occur when you sustain a break to bones—collarbone (clavicle), shoulder blade (scapula), or top portion of the upper arm bone (humerus)—in one of your shoulders. Shoulder fractures are typically caused by direct trauma from collisions, falls or car crashes. Symptoms include bruising, deformity, inability to move your shoulder, shoulder pain, a sensation of grinding and swelling.
• Tears occur when the soft tissues that support the shoulder joint partially or complete disconnect. These injuries are usually the result of overuse or acute trauma, such as shoulder dislocation. Symptoms include compromised range of motion, decreased strength, grinding, locking or popping, shoulder pain, shoulder instability and weakness.
• Tendinitis and bursitis occur when soft tissue that surrounds muscles and bones becomes inflamed or begins to degenerate. Shoulder tendinitis and bursitis usually result from overuse of tendons and muscles. Symptoms associated with shoulder tendinitis and bursitis include shoulder pain, swelling and tenderness.

Treatment Options

Altru Orthopedics & Sports Medicine provides surgical and nonsurgical treatment plans for injuries and conditions of the shoulder. Depending on the severity of your injury and the extent of your mobility restrictions, your provider will recommend a treatment plan that fits your needs. This could mean physical therapy, stabilization or limiting use of the shoulder.

If your injuries are more severe, or if you are at risk to re-injure your shoulder, surgery might be the best option for you. Surgical options available include:

• Arthroscopic surgery
• Open surgery
• Rotator cuff treatment options
• Shoulder resurfacing
• Joint reconstruction
• Reverse total shoulder replacement
• Shoulder replacement

 All shoulder surgeries are performed at Altru Specialty Center, our specialized orthopedic hospital. With many surgical options offered for shoulder, procedures and recovery time will vary. Your provider will work with you to determine your individual procedural and recovery plan.

Rotator Cuff Treatment

The rotator cuff is a group of four tendons that surround the shoulder joint, working together to allow mobility and range of motion. This area of the shoulder is fairly susceptible to injury and wear over time.

Learn about rotator cuff treatment options

See the Knotless Rotator Cuff Repair with Arthrex SpeedFix:

See the Rotator Cuff Repair with Arthrex SpeedBridge:

If you are experiencing shoulder pain, schedule an appointment with Altru Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. Call us at 701.732.7700 or schedule through MyChart.