CONDITIONS & PROCEDURES
Injuries to the shoulder can be debilitating, causing severe pain and significantly limiting mobility. The shoulder joint, being one of the most movable joints in the body, allows for a wide range of arm movements, making it susceptible to various injuries.
When nonsurgical options don’t alleviate pain or restore function, shoulder surgery becomes the necessary course of action, allowing individuals to lead active, pain-free lives. Academy Orthopedics L.L.C., with nearly four decades of dedication to orthopedic care, stands at the forefront of providing comprehensive treatment for shoulder injuries.
Board-certified orthopedic surgeons, specializing in treating shoulder conditions, provide personalized patient care at Academy Orthopedics. The surgical team employs advanced techniques, including arthroscopic surgery, to address shoulder problems effectively and with minimal invasion. This approach not only reduces recovery time but also minimizes pain and scarring, allowing patients to return to their daily activities sooner.
Shoulder Conditions & Procedures
Rotator Cuff Tear
The rotator cuff is a group of tendons and muscles that play a crucial role in stabilizing the shoulder joint and allowing a wide range of movements. A rotator cuff tear occurs when these tendons are damaged, either through acute injury or degenerative changes over time. This condition is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain, particularly in middle-aged and older individuals. The impact of a torn rotator cuff can be profound, leading to significant pain, weakness, and loss of mobility.
Effective management of rotator cuff tears requires specialized treatment. At Academy Orthopedics, the focus is on providing comprehensive care that addresses both the immediate pain and the long-term function of the shoulder. This often involves a combination of physical therapy, pain management, and, when necessary, surgical intervention (rotator cuff surgery) to repair the damaged tendons and restore shoulder function.
Rotator Cuff Repair
At Academy Orthopedics, the surgical team provides detailed postoperative care plans and continuous support to help patients achieve the best possible outcomes following rotator cuff repair surgery.
Shoulder Instability
Shoulder instability is a chronic condition characterized by frequent dislocations of the shoulder joint. This occurs when the ball portion of the upper arm bone partially or completely dislocates from the shoulder socket, causing significant pain and functional impairment. The condition can result from acute injuries, repetitive stress, or congenital factors that lead to loose ligaments around the shoulder joint.
To prevent recurrent dislocations and improve shoulder stability, accurate diagnosis and treatment of shoulder instability are necessary. At Academy Orthopedics, a thorough evaluation is conducted to determine the underlying cause of the instability and develop a tailored treatment plan.
Multidirectional Instability of the Shoulder
Multidirectional instability (MDI) of the shoulder involves increased looseness of the ligaments surrounding the shoulder joint, leading to frequent subluxations or dislocations. This condition can be caused by congenital ligament laxity or activities that excessively stretch the shoulder joint capsule.
At Academy Orthopedics, patients receive personalized care plans that emphasize prevention and rehabilitation, ensuring a holistic approach to managing shoulder instability.
Shoulder Joint Replacement
Shoulder joint replacement is a surgical procedure designed to relieve pain and restore function in patients with severe shoulder arthritis or extensive joint damage. The surgery involves removing the damaged parts of the shoulder joint and replacing them with artificial prostheses.
At Academy Orthopedics, the surgical team evaluates each patient’s condition thoroughly to determine the most appropriate treatment plan and ensure the best possible outcomes.
Revision Shoulder Replacement
Revision shoulder replacement involves removing and repositioning malpositioned prosthetic components from a previous shoulder replacement surgery. This procedure may also include soft tissue reconstruction using allografts in some cases.
Reverse Shoulder Replacement
Reverse shoulder replacement is a specialized procedure where the ball and socket components of the shoulder joint are reversed, positioning the ball on the socket side and the socket on the arm side. This surgery is often recommended for individuals with severe shoulder pain and weakness, particularly when the rotator cuff tendons are torn or not functioning properly.
Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. The symptoms appear gradually and can take one to three years to resolve on their own. The exact cause of frozen shoulder is unclear, but it is sometimes associated with diabetes or prolonged immobilization following an arm fracture or shoulder surgery.
Capsular Release
Capsular release is a minimally invasive surgical technique designed to address frozen shoulder when conservative treatments have proven ineffective.
Shoulder Arthroscopy
Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used to diagnose and treat various shoulder conditions. It involves the use of a pencil-sized instrument called an arthroscope, which is equipped with a light system and camera. Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is used to address problems involving:
- Bones
- Cartilage
- Tendons
- Ligaments
- Muscles of the shoulder joint
SLAP Repair
A SLAP (Superior Labrum from Anterior to Posterior) tear is a specific type of shoulder injury that affects the labrum, a ring of cartilage that surrounds the shoulder socket. Symptoms of a SLAP tear include locking, popping, clicking, or grinding sensations in the shoulder, as well as pain when holding the shoulder in certain positions or lifting heavy objects overhead.
Shoulder Fracture
A shoulder fracture occurs when one of the three bones in the shoulder joint – the clavicle, scapula, or humerus – breaks due to trauma such as car accidents or sports injuries. These fractures can cause severe pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the shoulder.
Clavicle Fracture
Clavicle fractures account for up to 10% of all fractures and are often caused by a fall onto the lateral shoulder. The most common location for a clavicle fracture is the middle third of the bone, representing 69% of cases.
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain is a common complaint, especially among athletes who participate in sports that involve repetitive arm movements, such as swimming, tennis, pitching, and weightlifting. This pain can be caused by a variety of shoulder injuries, including rotator cuff tears, shoulder impingement, and labral tears. In addition to pain, these injuries often lead to stiffness, restricted movement, and difficulty performing routine activities.
Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder impingement, also known as swimmer’s shoulder or rotator cuff tendinitis, is a condition characterized by:
- Inflammation of the tendons in the shoulder joint
- This inflammation often results from repetitive overhead arm movements, which are common in sports like swimming and tennis
- The pain associated with shoulder impingement can be severe and may worsen with activity
- Leading to decreased shoulder function and mobility
At Academy Orthopedics, patients receive comprehensive care to address the symptoms of shoulder impingement syndrome and restore their shoulder health.
Shoulder Trauma
Shoulder trauma encompasses a range of injuries that can affect the shoulder joint, often resulting from sports activities that involve repetitive arm motions, such as swimming, tennis, and pitching. These injuries can cause significant pain, stiffness, and restricted movement, making it difficult to perform routine activities.
Treatment of Throwing Injuries of the Shoulder
Throwing injuries of the shoulder are common among athletes who engage in sports that involve repetitive overhand motions, such as baseball, football, and volleyball. These injuries can result from:
- Improper techniques
- Training errors
- Muscle imbalances
- Overuse of muscles
Treatment options for throwing injuries include both surgical and non-surgical approaches, depending on the severity of the injury.
Proximal Biceps Tendinitis
Proximal biceps tendinitis is the inflammation and irritation of the biceps tendon at the shoulder joint. The biceps muscle, located in the upper arm, is essential for shoulder and elbow movement and consists of a ‘short head’ and a ‘long head’ that function together. The long head of the biceps tendon attaches at the top of the shoulder joint, while the short head attaches to the shoulder blade.
This condition can cause significant shoulder pain and limit mobility, affecting daily activities and athletic performance. The orthopedic surgeons at Academy Orthopedics provide a wide range of care for proximal biceps tendinitis, including physical therapy, medication, and surgical intervention if necessary, to alleviate pain and restore function.
Schedule a Consultation and Experience Excellence in Orthopedic Care
If shoulder pain or limited mobility is affecting you, consider scheduling a consultation with our shoulder specialists at Academy Orthopedics. We are committed to creating personalized care plans tailored to each patient’s needs, ensuring that you receive the best possible treatment for your condition. Whether you require surgical or non-surgical solutions, our team provides expert care to help you achieve a full recovery.
With clinic branches in Cumming, Buford, and Duluth, GA, Academy Orthopedics is conveniently located to serve patients throughout the region. To schedule an appointment, call (770) 271-9857 or visit our website for more information.