Common Shoulder Injuries Requiring Surgery

Key Takeaways:

Many shoulder conditions can improve with nonsurgical care, but certain injuries often require surgery to restore stability, strength and pain-free movement. Persistent symptoms such as chronic pain, loss of function, weakness, stiffness or recurrent instability are common indicators that surgical treatment may be necessary. Injuries frequently requiring surgery include rotator cuff tears, labral tears (including SLAP and Bankart lesions), shoulder impingement caused by tendon compression or bone spurs, frozen shoulder that does not improve with therapy, advanced arthritis that damages joint cartilage, severe fractures, and significant AC joint separations. When conservative treatments fail, surgical repair can realign structures, reduce inflammation and restore normal shoulder mechanics, helping patients return to work, sports and daily activities with greater comfort and mobility.

Your shoulder is one of the most complex joints in your body and is responsible for performing a wide range of motions. This makes the shoulder susceptible to a variety of injuries and conditions that can result in significant pain. Shoulder injuries are so common that millions of people seek medical treatment for them each year. Often, shoulder injuries can significantly impact your quality of life and prevent you from enjoying your favorite activities.

While many shoulder injuries can heal with nonsurgical treatments, there are some situations where surgery may be necessary to alleviate pain and restore proper function. Common signs you may need shoulder surgery include:

• You experience chronic shoulder pain that interferes with sleep, work or daily activities and hasn’t responded to nonsurgical treatments such as medications, physical therapy or activity modification
• You have ongoing shoulder weakness or loss of function that makes it hard to perform tasks that require lifting your arm or reaching overhead
• You experience consistent shoulder instability that results in a feeling like your shoulder might slip out of its socket
• You have advanced arthritis or joint damage that results in severe stiffness and pain

The following injuries often require surgery to restore a pain free life.

Rotator Cuff Tears

Rotator cuff tears are one of the most common reasons for shoulder surgery, with approximately 400,000 to 500,000 rotator cuff repair surgeries performed each year in the United States. The rotator cuff consists of a group of muscles and tendons that hold the bones in the shoulder joint together, providing stability when you lift your arm or reach overhead. Rotator cuff tears can be caused by a traumatic injury, repetitive stress from overuse, or wear and tear as part of the aging process.

You can experience partial or full tears of your rotator cuff. Symptoms include pain, weakness and limited range of motion. If nonsurgical treatment options aren’t able to alleviate your pain and restore proper function, surgery may be needed to repair the torn tendons in your rotator cuff.

Labral Tears

The labrum is a ring of cartilage surrounding the shoulder. It helps protect your upper arm bone and provides stability to the joint so that it remains properly in place within the shoulder socket. When this cartilage tears, it can result in deep pain, locking sensations in your shoulder and a feeling that your shoulder may slip out of its socket.

The two most common labral injuries are:

• SLAP Tears – A tear in the upper portion of the labrum
• Bankart Lesions – A pocket develops in your upper labrum which can result in repeated shoulder dislocations

When these injuries don’t respond to minimally invasive treatments, arthroscopic surgery may be performed to repair or remove the damaged cartilage.

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

When the tendons in the rotator cuff become inflamed, pinched or irritated, it results in a condition called shoulder impingement syndrome. Some potential causes of shoulder impingement syndrome include bone spurs, repetitive overhead activities such as tennis, or traumatic injuries. It results in chronic pain, limited mobility when lifting your arm upwards from the side of your body, and difficulty sleeping on the side with the injured shoulder.

If physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications fail to provide relief, arthroscopic surgery may be performed to relieve the pressure from inflammation and restore proper function.

Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder is a condition that occurs when the shoulder capsule becomes thick and tight around the joint. It results in stiffness, pain and limited mobility in the joint. Frozen shoulder often develops after your shoulder is immobile for an extended period of time, such as when your arm is in a cast or sling.

If physical therapy fails to restore mobility, arthroscopic surgery may be performed to release the tightness in the shoulder capsule.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a degenerative condition that occurs when the cartilage in your shoulder joint wears down. It can result in chronic pain, swelling and limited mobility in the shoulder. In its early stages, arthritis can typically be treated with medications and physical therapy. But once it becomes more advanced, shoulder replacement may be necessary to alleviate your pain and restore proper function of the shoulder joint.

Shoulder Fractures

Shoulder fractures can occur in a variety of locations, including the collarbone, shoulder blade or upper arm bone. These injuries are typically caused by accidents, sports injuries or falls. While some shoulder fractures may be able to heal on their own by keeping the joint immobilized for an extended period of time, severe fractures may require surgery to realign and stabilize the bones.

AC Joint Separation

The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the collarbone to the top of the shoulder blade. When the ligaments surrounding the AC joint become damaged, it can result in a separation of the joint. Mild AC joint separations may be able to heal with rest and physical therapy, but severe separations often require surgery to stabilize the joint and repair the ligaments.

Colorado Advanced Orthopedics Can Help

If you’re struggling with shoulder pain or reduced mobility of the joint, seeking treatment from an experienced orthopedic physician is critical to restoring a pain free life. At Colorado Advanced Orthopedics, our team of board-certified, fellowship trained orthopedic surgeons perform a wide range of surgical treatments to address just about any shoulder injury you may have.

Our shoulder surgery procedures are performed by Dr. Rhett Griggs. Dr. Griggs has undergone fellowship training in shoulder, elbow and hand surgery and has close to 20 years of experience performing a wide range of shoulder surgery procedures. This specialization has helped CAO raise the bar for shoulder surgery outcomes along the Western Slope.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment. Colorado Advanced Orthopedics serves patients in Meeker, the White River Valley, Grand Junction and throughout the Western Slope.