THE SHOULDER

The shoulder consists of three bones: the clavicle (collarbone), the scapula (shoulder blade) and the humerus (upper arm bone). These three bones make up a “ball-and-socket” joint that is held in place by muscles, ligaments and tendons. The shoulder is the most flexible joint in the body, allowing for a wide range of motion, but because of that, it is a common source of injury and instability.

While many afflictions of the shoulder can be treated using more conservative methods, some may require minimally invasive surgery to effectively relieve pain and restore function to the joint for significant, lasting results.

Some of the most common shoulder conditions include:

  • Bursitis

  • Tendonitis

  • Impingement

  • Rotator Cuff Tear

  • Dislocation

  • Fractures

  • Osteoarthritis

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

  • Labral Tear

  • Frozen Shoulder

COMMON CONDITIONS

SHOULDER FRACTURE

Simply put, a fracture is any break in a bone. There are a wide variety of fractures that can occur in the shoulder – ranging anywhere from a hairline crack (a stress fracture) to a complete break. Shoulder fractures may involve the clavicle (collarbone), proximal humerus (top of the arm bone), and scapula (shoulder blade). When more severe, a fracture in this area will often affect the muscles, ligaments and tendons that surround it. These injuries are usually caused by an impact such as a direct force or a fall, and usually result in severe pain and limited movement.

FROZEN SHOULDER

Adhesive capsulitis, more commonly known as frozen shoulder, is a common condition that causes pain, stiffness, and limited range of movement in the shoulder. This condition may come about following an injury, from overuse, as the result of a stroke or from a disease such as diabetes. Frozen shoulder occurs when the tissues of the capsule that protect the joint stiffen and scar tissue forms. The result is that shoulder movements become difficult and painful. Although the specific causes of this condition are unknown, it most often affects patients between the ages of 40 and 60.

COMMON PROCEDURES

Rotator Cuff Repair

The rotator cuff is a group of tendons and muscles that come together to form a “cuff” that supports the shoulder joint. It keeps your arm in place in the shoulder socket, while allowing for complete movement in different directions. Rotator cuff injuries come as a result of a direct force, the impact from trying to break a fall, or even lifting heavy weights. Symptoms can include snapping or crackling sounds when moving the shoulder, weakness and tenderness in the joint and difficult or limited mobility.

While conservative methods, such as anti-inflammatories, immobilization and icing, can be used to repair most rotator cuff injuries, surgery may be required for more severe cases. Rotator cuff surgery may be done using arthroscopy or through an open procedure, depending on the type and severity of the condition. Arthroscopy offers patients many advantages over traditional surgery

in that this type of procedure is minimally invasive, effectively decreases the amount of bleeding during surgery, has reduced risk of infection or other complications, and minimizes scarring.

Labral Tear Surgery

The labrum is the rim of tissue extending the protective cup of cartilage that your humerus
(upper arm bone) fits into at the shoulder joint. It provides stability, cushioning and full range of motion to the shoulder. A tear in the labrum is caused by a direct injury or overuse and can lead to pain, instability and “catching” of the joint when it is in motion. In labral tear repair larger tears may require an open procedure, but surgery on smaller tears can be performed using arthroscopy. In this minimally invasive procedure, a long, thin tube tipped with a fiber-optic camera is inserted into the body through small, carefully placed incisions, allowing the surgeon to view the damaged area. Repairs are then made employing staples, anchors or sutures to brace the labrum as it heals.