At Shoreline Orthopaedics, our orthopaedic surgeons use a truly collaborative approach so our patients have the benefit of multiple expert opinions, without having to go elsewhere to obtain them.
Shoreline Orthopaedics provides more comprehensive services, state-of-the-art options, technologies and techniques than anyone else in the area.
The following information is provided to help you understand what you can expect from us regarding policies and procedures, and also what is expected of you before and after treatment or procedures.
The following information is provided to help you gain a better understanding of anatomy, terminology, certain orthopaedic procedures, and more. If you have any questions, feel free to ask your physician.
The shoulder is a complex, ball-and-socket joint made up of three bones: the upper arm bone (humerus), shoulder blade (scapula), and collarbone (clavicle). The ball, or head, of the upper arm bone fits into a rounded socket (glenoid) in the shoulder blade. The shoulder socket (glenoid) is lined with a strong cartilage (labrum) that cushions the shoulder joint and adds stability.
The arm bone is kept centered in the shoulder socket by a combination of muscles and tendons (rotator cuff). The rotator cuff forms a cover around the head of the upper arm bone and attaches it to the shoulder blade. Between the rotator cuff and the bone on top of the shoulder (acromion) is a jelly-like, lubricating sac (bursa) filled with fluid. The bursa helps to reduce friction and allows the rotator cuff tendons to glide freely when the arm is moved.
The shoulder is made up of many different structures that combine to allow a great range of motion in the arm. Because of this complexity, the shoulder is vulnerable to a wide variety of problems. The rotator cuff is a frequent source of shoulder pain, which can be the result of:
Rotator cuff pain commonly causes tenderness in the front and side of the shoulder. There may be pain and stiffness when lifting the arm, or when lowering the arm from an elevated position. Other symptoms may include:
Symptoms increase as the problem progresses, resulting in:
Rotator cuff pain is common in both middle-aged people and young athletes. Most susceptible are those who: do repetitive lifting; use arms overhead for sports such as swimming, baseball and tennis; perform overhead activities such as paper hanging, construction or painting. Shoulder pain may also develop as the result of a minor injury, or it may occur with no apparent cause.
In most cases, initial treatment for shoulder impingement is nonsurgical and may include one or more of the following:
If nonsurgical treatments fail to provide relief from symptoms, your orthopaedic surgeon may recommend surgery.
With any surgery there are some risks, and these vary from person to person. Complications are typically minor, treatable and unlikely to affect your final outcome. Your orthopaedic surgeon will speak to you prior to surgery to explain any potential risks and complications that may be associated with your procedure.