The tissues in your shoulders are designed to be both flexible and strong. That’s why they can do so much during sports, support heavy loads during manual labor, and play an important role in our everyday lives. When your shoulders become compromised, the pain, discomfort and loss of mobility you experience can make even the simplest tasks difficult.

Our orthopedic sports medicine center provides minimally-invasive shoulder treatments that are second to none. If you’re looking for quality care from experienced professionals, you’ve come to the right place. Dr. Christopher R. Sforzo, M.D. and Dr. Christopher L. Dillingham, M.D. are Orthopedic Surgeons & Shoulder Specialists who are Board-Certified and have completed a fellowship. They provide quality patient care and services with compassion.

At our shoulder clinic, we treat the following common shoulder injuries:

– SLAP tears

– Rotator cuff repairs

– Bursa, impingement and labral injuries

– Shoulder dislocations

– Arthritis in the shoulders

– Acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries   

– Shoulder sprains or strains

Different Causes of Shoulder Problems  

• Injury or trauma: A direct blow to the shoulder, a fall onto an outstretched arm, or any other type of injury can cause shoulder problems.
•  Overuse: Repetitive activities such as throwing, lifting, and other overhead motions can lead to overuse injuries in the shoulder area.
• Inflammation/Arthritis: Inflammatory conditions such as bursitis, tendinitis and arthritis can cause pain in the shoulder area.
• Poor posture: Slouching or hunching over for long periods of time can put extra stress on the shoulder joints, leading to pain and stiffness.
• Muscle imbalances: Weakness or tightness in the muscles around the shoulder can lead to pain and imbalance in the joint. Poor posture and overuse of certain muscles can also contribute to this problem.

Types of Shoulder Conditions- 

Shoulder pains can be indicative of a variety of underlying medical conditions. These include rotator cuff tendinitis, bursitis, labral tears and instability, frozen shoulder syndrome, calcific tendonitis, and AC joint inflammation. 

• Rotator cuff tendinitis (also known as rotator cuff tendinopathy) is an inflammation of the tendon in the shoulder joint. 
• Bursitis occurs when a bursa, which is a fluid-filled cushion between bones and muscles, becomes inflamed due to overuse or trauma. 
• Labral tears and instability can occur if the labrum, which is a collar of cartilage around the shoulder socket, is torn.
• Frozen shoulder syndrome is a condition in which the tissue surrounding the shoulder joint becomes thick and inflexible, leading to pain and stiffness in the joint.
• Calcific tendinitis occurs when calcium deposits form on the rotator cuff tendons. 
• AC joint inflammation is an inflammatory disorder of the acromioclavicular joint, which is located between the shoulder blade and collarbone.

How does Shoulder treatment work?

• Rest: Taking a break from activities that cause pain and irritation is key to treating shoulder injuries.
• Ice/Heat Therapy: Applying ice or heat to the affected area can decrease inflammation and reduce pain.
• Stretching/Strengthening Exercises: Gentle stretching exercises and strengthening exercises aimed at improving shoulder mobility and stability can help alleviate symptoms of shoulder injury over time.
• Anti-inflammatory Medication: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain associated with shoulder injuries.
• Physical Therapy: Working with a physical therapist can help to improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion in the shoulder joint.
• Surgery: In cases of severe injury or chronic conditions, surgery may be necessary to repair torn tissues or relieve pressure on nerves.

Make an Appointment and Connect with Us to treat Shoulder Conditions

Don’t wait to get help if you think you might have an issue with your shoulder. Reach out to Sforzo, Dillingham, Stewart Orthopedics+Sports Medicine immediately for diagnosis and treatment for your shoulder problems. They have the top sports medicine specialists who can help you repair your shoulder through surgery if it’s determined to be the best route for a full recovery.