Western Orthopaedics - Shoulder

As the most versatile joint in the human body, our shoulder joint provides us with a tremendous amount of flexibility. However, this range of motion can lead to shoulder pain or discomfort.

In most cases, pain in the shoulder can be the result of one of four main cases: inflammation, instability, arthritis, or a fracture.

Symptoms of a possible shoulder condition or injury include:

• Pain and stiffness in or around the shoulder joint
• Limited shoulder mobility
• Difficulty and/or inability to reach overhead
• Shoulder joint pain that keeps you awake at night
• A popping or grinding feeling when using the afflicted shoulder

Whether you're suffering from a recent injury, such as a rotator cuff tear or shoulder dislocation, or the pain in your shoudler has developed over time from shoulder tendonitis (medically referred to as tendinitis) or bursitis, consider consulting with a shoulder doctor at Western Orthopaedics by calling 303-321-1333.

Shoulder pain also arises from a variety of causes with the most common ones listed below.

Patient Education Videos:

• Videos on Range of Motion Exercises & Sling & Ice Demonstration  
• About Rotator Cuff Repairs  
• Patient History, Diagnostic Testing and Symptoms
• Rehabilitation and Postoperative Restrictions
• When to Consider Surgery for Shoulder Instability
• Conservative Treatment of Shoulder Instability
• The Directions of Shoulder Instability
• Surgical Options for Shoulder Instability
• Rehabilitation after Rotator Cuff Surgery
• Conservative Treatment for Rotator Cuff Tears
• Introduction to Rotator Cuff Tears
• Preparation for Rotator Cuff Surgery
• Surgical Treatment for Rotator Cuff Tears
• Summary of Rotator Cuff Tears
• Rotator Cuff Tears that Can't be Repaired
• Common Problems of the Shoulder
• What is Shoulder Instability
• Surgical Treatment for Rotator Cuff Tears
• Conservative Treatment for Rotator Cuff Tears
• Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Tears
• Anatomy and Function of the Shoulder Joint
• Rotator Cuff Tears

Common Conditions of the Shoulder:

Doctors that specialize in this area:

• Impingment

  Pain in the shoulder is often caused by subacromial impingement: “pinching” of the rotator cuff and biceps tendon by the “roof” (acromion process) of the shoulder.

• Acromio-Clavicular (AC) Sprain

  One of the most common impact injuries to the shoulder is an acromio-clavicular (AC) sprain, or separation.

• Acromio-Clavicular (AC) Arthritis

  A common cause of shoulder pain in weight lifters and patients with rotator cuff tears is arthritis of the acromio-clavicular (AC) joint.

• Rotator Cuff (RTC) Tear

  Tears of the rotator cuff of the shoulder are one of the most common causes of shoulder pain and weakness.

• Shoulder Arthritis

  Motion of the shoulder joint depends on slick surfaces of the ball and saucer joint that glide on each other without friction.

• Biceps Instability/Tendonitis

  The biceps muscle has a tendon that passes into the shoulder joint and attaches to the top of the socket.

• Clavicle Fracture

  One of the most common fractures in the shoulder occurs over the middle of the clavicle, or collarbone.

• Shoulder Dislocations/Instability

  Sporting injuries can result in shoulder dislocations and instability. The ball of the shoulder rotates off of the socket, often becoming stuck in the front, back, or bottom of the shoulder joint.