Shoulder and Elbow

Rotator Cuff Tear

The rotator cuff is a group of four tendons that lift and rotate the arm. Tears can happen suddenly during a fall or a heavy lift, or gradually with age and repeated overhead use. The usual signs are pain along the outside of the arm, weakness lifting or reaching, and pain that is worse at night.

Labral and SLAP Tear

Also called SLAP lesion, shoulder labrum tear

The labrum is a rim of cartilage that deepens the shoulder socket and anchors the biceps tendon. A SLAP tear involves the top of that rim where the biceps attaches, and it is common in throwers and other overhead athletes. Symptoms often include deep shoulder pain, catching, and a loss of throwing velocity or control.

Shoulder Instability and Dislocation

Instability means the ball of the shoulder slips partly or completely out of the socket. A first dislocation often stretches or tears the labrum and ligaments, which makes another dislocation more likely, especially in younger athletes. Treatment ranges from rehabilitation to arthroscopic stabilization, depending on age, sport, and how much bone loss is present.

AC Joint Injury

Also called shoulder separation

The acromioclavicular joint sits where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade. It is usually injured by landing directly on the shoulder, which leaves a tender bump on top and pain reaching across the body. Many separations settle with a sling and therapy, while higher-grade injuries are sometimes reconstructed.

Shoulder Arthritis

Arthritis develops when the smooth cartilage lining the shoulder wears away and bone begins to rub on bone. It usually causes deep, aching pain, grinding with motion, and a gradual loss of reach. Treatment starts with therapy and injections and may progress to shoulder replacement when daily activities become limited.

Frozen Shoulder

Also called adhesive capsulitis

Frozen shoulder is a painful stiffening and thickening of the capsule that surrounds the shoulder joint. It often appears without any clear injury and is more common in people with diabetes or thyroid disease. Most cases improve over many months with therapy, and an injection or, less often, a procedure to release the capsule can help move things along.

Biceps Tendon Injury

The long head of the biceps tendon runs through the front of the shoulder and is a frequent source of pain there. It can become inflamed, fray, or rupture, sometimes alongside a rotator cuff tear. Treatment ranges from therapy and injection to tenodesis, a procedure that secures the tendon in a better position.

UCL Injury

Also called Tommy John injury, ulnar collateral ligament tear

The ulnar collateral ligament on the inside of the elbow is stressed with every throw. Overhead athletes can stretch or tear it, which causes inside elbow pain, a drop in velocity, and sometimes numbness in the ring and small fingers. Some injuries settle with rest and a staged throwing program, while complete tears in competitive throwers may need repair or reconstruction.

Tennis Elbow

Also called lateral epicondylitis

Tennis elbow is degeneration of the tendon on the outside of the elbow that extends the wrist. It causes pain with gripping, lifting a cup, or shaking hands, and most people who get it have never played tennis. It usually settles with time, a specific exercise program, and a counterforce brace.

Golfer's Elbow

Also called medial epicondylitis

Golfer's elbow is the same kind of tendon problem on the inside of the elbow, affecting the muscles that flex the wrist and fingers. It causes pain with gripping and twisting and is often aggravated by lifting, racquet sports, and long hours at a keyboard. Treatment normally begins with activity changes, therapy, and bracing.

Distal Biceps Rupture

The distal biceps tendon attaches the biceps muscle to the forearm and usually ruptures during a sudden, forceful lift. People often feel a pop, then notice bruising, a change in the shape of the arm, and weakness turning the forearm. Repair is often recommended within a few weeks of the injury, particularly for active adults.

Loose Bodies, Stiffness and Elbow Impingement

Also called elbow arthroscopy

Loose fragments of cartilage, bone spurs, and scar tissue can block the elbow from moving properly. Symptoms include locking, catching, and an elbow that will not fully straighten, which is common in throwers and in people who do heavy manual work. These problems can often be treated through small incisions with a camera once therapy and injections have been tried.