Specialty Care for Rotator Cuffs and Shoulders
The shoulder is a particularly complicated joint that allows your arm to move in all directions. In the shoulder sits the rotator cuff. This group of muscles and tendons keeps your upper arm bone (the humerus) tightly tucked into the shallow shoulder joint. These muscles move your arm, especially out from your body and over your head.
Shoulders can become inflamed or torn due to a sudden injury — like falling with your arm stretched out— or from repetitive motions like throwing and painting overhead.
Shoulder and rotator cuff injuries are a pain — literally. But you don't have to suffer. Visit with one of our shoulder specialists by calling (503) 261-6961.
When to see a shoulder specialist
While you can help your shoulder heal from minor injuries using rest from activities, along with anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen. Your primary care doctor may also encourage you to try physical therapy.
If pain continues or returns when you go back to your sport, work or other activity, it may be time to visit with a specialist. Our shoulder specialists can help you with:
- Advanced medical imaging for an accurate diagnosis.
- Specialized nonsurgical treatment options.
- Surgery to repair your shoulder joint and/or rotator cuff.
- Referral for joint replacement.
Shoulder conditions we treat
Our orthopedics team offers the best in evidence-based care for your shoulder injuries. We treat both sudden injuries and ongoing problems. These include:
Shoulder instability and dislocation: When your upper arm bone (humerus) comes out of the shoulder joint, it's called a dislocation. Even when quickly put back in place, this can lead to instability and future dislocations if not treated.
Impingement: When you raise your arm, the space in your shoulder joint narrows. If it narrows so far things are rubbing, or "impinging," you can get inflammation and pain.
Rotator cuff tear: The tendons connecting your muscles to your upper arm bone and helping keep your arm in the shoulder joint can tear. Even without an injury, the rotator cuff can develop partial or full-thickness tears.
Sprains and strains: When muscle, tendon or ligament stretches or tears in the shoulder, it's called a sprain or strain. These injuries can cause pain and instability, which can lead to further injury.
Separation: When the ligaments between the shoulder and the collarbone tear, it's called a separated shoulder. The most common causes are car accidents, sports injuries and falls on the shoulder.
Tendinitis and bursitis: Both the tendons that connect muscle to bone in your shoulder and the bursae — water-filled sacs — that protect your tendons can become inflamed. Overuse, injury and more rarely infection can cause tendinitis and bursitis.
Frozen shoulder: This occurs when certain connective tissue in the shoulder thickens and prevents movement. A common cause of frozen shoulder is recovering from an injury or surgery that prevents movement of the shoulder for a long period of time.
Fractures (broken bones): The most typical shoulder fractures involve the top of your upper arm bone (the humerus), your shoulder blade or your collarbone.
Arthritis: There are different types of arthritis that affect the shoulder. Most common are forms of rheumatoid arthritis, which is a chronic illness affecting many joints, and osteoarthritis, which is caused by the wear and tear of age.
Hope for your shoulder
Because the shoulder is a special joint, yours deserves orthopedic care from doctors specially trained in shoulder conditions and treatments. Our specialists look forward to meeting with you and learning about your unique situation, including your goals for less pain and getting back to the activities you love most.
Start your shoulder's healing journey by making an appointment today. Just call (503) 261-6961.