Shoulder Care

Our orthopedic specialists have advanced, fellowship training in sports medicine and shoulder surgery. Whether you need to return to work, want to get back to athletic activities, or hope to do daily tasks with less pain, look to us for comprehensive care.

Shoulder Pain & Injuries

Your shoulder is very flexible and gives your arm a wide range of motion. It may not be able to move as it should if you experience a condition such as:

• Rotator cuff tear – Damage to tendons that help to stabilize control the shoulder's movement
• Shoulder arthritis – Breakdown of the joint's cartilage, or cushioning
• Shoulder impingement – Pain due to a shoulder bone rubbing against soft tissue when you raise your arm
• Frozen shoulder – Joint stiffness and pain
• Clavicle fractures – Broken bone often cause by high-intensity falls or collisions
• Partial Rotator Cuff Tear – Wear in the tendons that help keep the shoulder stable during various activities
• Calcific tendinitis – Pain due to hard calcium deposits impinging on soft shoulder tendons
• Shoulder dislocation – Joint that popped out of place
• Shoulder separation – Collarbone that breaks away from the shoulder blade
• Labrum tear – Soft-tissue injury that can lead to shoulder instability (looseness and repeated dislocations)
• Shoulder instability – Condition that may lead to shoulder dislocations

Nonsurgical Care

Conservative treatment for elbow and shoulder pain should starts with nonsurgical treatments. These not only may be the best approaches for your condition, but they also limit your downtime by potentially avoiding surgery. Ask your doctor about:

• Barbotage – Treats calcific tendinitis by using a needle and saline (saltwater) to remove painful calcium deposits
• Exercises – Strengthen the muscles around your joint
• Hydrodilation – Loosens a frozen shoulder with an injection of saline (saltwater), as well as a pain-relieving anesthetic and steroid
• Injections of cortisone – Deliver a pain-relieving steroid/anti-inflammatory medicine to a joint
• Injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or stem cells - Promote healing using natural substances from your body
• Rehabilitation – Includes physical therapy to improve strength and range of motion, as well as occupational therapy to help you more easily do daily tasks

Surgical Treatments

When you and your provider determine that surgery is the most effective treatment option, you'll benefit from our expertise. EvergreenHealth's orthopedic surgeons are experienced in minimally invasive surgical treatments, helping you to get moving again as soon as it's safe after surgery.

Shoulder Replacement

If you choose to receive shoulder replacement surgery, you'll appreciate our advanced surgical technology that helps you get exactly the right implant and fit for your joint. You'll achieve your best long-term outcome with our complete program that provides one-on-one support and education throughout your preparation and recovery.