Shoulder Injuries Specialist

What is the structure of the shoulder?

Your shoulder provides the widest range of motion of any joint in your body because it’s actually three different joints working together:

Glenohumeral joint

This is the shallow ball-and-socket joint where your humerus and scapula meet. This joint enables you to circle your arms and move them up and out from your body.

Acromioclavicular joint

This joint is at the high point of your shoulder where your scapula and clavicle meet. It allows you to raise your arms overhead.

Sternoclavicular joint

Located in the center of your chest where your clavicle connects with your sternum, this joint allows movement in your clavicle.

Holding everything together and enabling your range of motion are a host of connective tissues, namely your rotator cuff, which is a combination of muscles and tendons. Outside of your rotator cuff, you have ligaments and cartilage in your shoulders that encourage smooth movement and support.

What are the most common shoulder injuries?

Because of the shallow nature of the ball-and-socket joint at the heart of your shoulder, your shoulders are inherently unstable. This can cause common injuries to crop up, including:

• Dislocation or separation
• Fracture
• Rotator cuff tear
• Shoulder impingement
• Cartilage tear
• Bursitis

Many shoulder injuries also come about as the result of degenerative or wear-and-tear issues, such as arthritis or tendonitis.

When should I seek help for a shoulder injury?

Any time you’re having problems moving your shoulder or you’re in pain, you’d do well to get in to see Dr. Satow. Whether your shoulder injury is acute or degenerative, the earlier Dr. Satow can diagnose and treat the injury, the better your outcome.

As with most joint injuries, deferring treatment can lead to long-term consequences and irreversible damage.

What are the treatments for shoulder injuries?

After diagnosing your shoulder injury, Dr. Satow comes up with a treatment plan that addresses your unique situation and goals. Because of the sheer variety of injuries that can occur in your shoulder, there are many different treatment options, including:

• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Injections, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), hyaluronic acid, and steroids
• Immobilization (sling)
• Physical therapy
• Surgery

Dr. Satow usually starts out conservatively, only recommending more aggressive treatment as needed. As a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, you’re in good hands with Dr. Satow should your shoulder injury require surgery or replacement.

If you’ve injured your shoulder, call Gregg K. Satow, M.D. or schedule an appointment online today.