The Top of the Chain
Shoulder Conditions
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, and it achieves that mobility by trading away stability. Every arm movement starts here, which is why shoulder problems so quickly change what the hand can do.
(623) 264-3300Mobility Has a Cost
Four structures do the work of keeping the shoulder both free-moving and secure.
The Joint Surface
Cartilage that wears with time and leads to arthritis when lost
The Rotator Cuff
Tendons that lift and rotate the arm — vulnerable to tears and overuse
The Labrum & Ligaments
The rim that keeps the ball centered, commonly injured in sports
The Bones
A break near the joint affects alignment and long-term motion
Conditions
Shoulder Conditions We Treat
From joint wear and fractures to sports injuries, the shoulder is treated as part of the whole upper extremity — because the arm only works when all of it works.
Shoulder Arthritis
Cartilage wear in the ball-and-socket joint causing aching, stiffness and loss of motion over time.
Learn moreFractures & TraumaShoulder Fracture
Broken bones around the shoulder, including proximal humerus fractures that can affect arm elevation and rotation.
Learn moreSoft TissueRotator Cuff Injuries
Tears and strains of the tendons that power rotation and lift — common in sports and with age.
Learn moreSportsSports Injuries of the Shoulder
Instability, ligament injuries and repetitive-use problems affecting athletes and active patients.
Learn moreTreatmentShoulder Replacement
Joint replacement for arthritis or complex fractures when the joint surface can no longer be preserved.
Learn moreNerveNerve Injuries Affecting the Arm
Nerve compression and injury that can cause weakness or altered feeling in the arm and hand.
Learn moreWhen the Joint Is the Problem
Not Every Shoulder Needs Replacing
Most shoulder conditions are treated without replacing the joint. When arthritis has worn away the joint surface, or a fracture has broken it beyond repair, replacement becomes the option that restores motion and relieves pain.
Which type of replacement is appropriate depends on what is still working — the joint surface, the rotator cuff, or neither.
Related Areas
Shoulder problems often travel down the arm alongside elbow and hand conditions.
Shoulder Pain That Limits Your Arm
If reaching, lifting or sleeping on your side has become difficult, an evaluation can identify the cause and what to do about it.