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Your shoulder is an extremely complex ball-and-socket joint that relies on a series of bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments that work in coordination to facilitate the many different types of motions your arm is capable of. Whether you’re scratching your back, reaching for a glass on the top shelf in your cabinet, throwing a ball, or performing just about any other motion with your arm, your shoulder will play an important role in providing the mobility and flexibility you need. Due to the varied functions your shoulder performs and the frequency with which it gets used every day, it should come as no surprise that shoulder injuries are extremely common.
While some shoulder injuries can be treated with nonsurgical remedies such as physical therapy, there are many instances where shoulder surgery will be required to restore proper function. At Colorado Advanced Orthopedics, our surgeons perform a wide range of shoulder surgery procedures to address just about any injury you may have. The list below is by no means exhaustive, but it covers the most common types of shoulder surgery we perform.
While not listed below, we also regularly perform shoulder replacement surgery.
Learn More About Shoulder ReplacementYour rotator cuff is comprised of a group of muscles and tendons that hold your shoulder joint together. The muscles in your rotator cuff play an important role in your ability to lift your arm and reach items over your head. Rotator cuff injuries can occur due to:
Rotator cuff repair surgery is one of the most common shoulder surgery procedures we perform, and it is often necessary if your injury doesn’t heal with nonsurgical treatments. During the procedure, any torn or damaged tendons will be surgically reattached to the bone to restore proper function. Depending on the severity of the injury, our shoulder surgeons will use one of the following techniques:
Recovery after rotator cuff repair can take several months, and you may need to wear a sling to keep your shoulder immobilized for the first few weeks after surgery. Physical therapy will play an important role in restoring full strength, function and range of motion after rotator cuff repair surgery. The exact recovery time will depend on the severity of the injury and the technique used. Arthroscopic procedures will generally allow for a shorter recovery time than open rotator cuff repair procedures.
A shoulder dislocation refers to an injury that occurs when the ball of the shoulder joint comes out of the socket. Common causes of a dislocated shoulder include trauma from a fall, accident or sports injury. There are several different types of shoulder dislocation injuries, including:
While mild shoulder dislocations may be able to heal with nonsurgical treatments, surgery may be required after a severe dislocation. In most instances, our shoulder surgeons will be able to perform the procedure using a minimally invasive arthroscopic technique that uses a small camera to view the interior of the joint, allowing our surgeons to visualize the region more easily. During the procedure, the ball of the shoulder joint will be placed back into the socket. If you’ve experienced recurring shoulder dislocations, our surgeons may also need to tighten the ligaments holding the joint in place.
Recovery after shoulder dislocation surgery typically takes several months. During the first four to six weeks, your arm will be immobilized in a sling to facilitate healing, and physical therapy will focus on improving range of motion. During the next six weeks of recovery, your physical therapy regimen will shift to emphasize strengthening exercises. You should regain most of your strength and mobility between three and six months after your procedure.
Schedule an appointment with our shoulder surgeons today.
Rotator cuff bursitis, also called impingement syndrome, develops when the fluid filled sac in the shoulder joint becomes inflamed. This inflammation causes the tendons in the rotator cuff to become trapped and compressed during movement. Impingement syndrome can be caused by trauma from an injury, calcium deposits in the shoulder joint or rotator cuff tendonitis. When left untreated, it can result in pain, muscle weakness and decreased range of motion in the shoulder.
In many instances, shoulder impingement can heal with minimally invasive treatment methods such as cortisone injections and physical therapy, but severe cases may require surgery. Our shoulder surgeons perform arthroscopic subacromial decompression surgery to correct impingement syndrome. The goal of the procedure is to create more space between the rotator cuff and the top of the shoulder so that the rotator cuff can glide freely without getting pinched by the adjoining bone.
Full recovery after shoulder impingement syndrome surgery can take between four and six months, but you will generally see significant pain reduction and improved shoulder function within the first two months after surgery. Your shoulder will need to be immobilized in a sling for the first two weeks after surgery, and physical therapy will begin to improve strength and range of motion once the sling is removed. You should expect to gradually return to normal activities as healing progresses, but it may take four months or longer before you can resume high-impact activities.
The labrum is a circular rim of cartilage that serves to deepen the shoulder socket and improve stability. A SLAP tear occurs when the labrum is torn at the point where it connects with the bicep tendons. This injury commonly occurs due to repetitive overhead actions such as throwing a ball, falling onto an outstretched hand or lifting heavy objects. SLAP tears result in pain in the back of the shoulder joint during overhead shoulder movements.
When nonsurgical treatments aren’t able to correct the injury, surgery may be required. Arthroscopic surgery to repair a SLAP tear involves repositioning the labrum in its proper location at the rim of the shoulder socket.
Recovery after arthroscopic SLAP repair surgery typically takes about three months, although the exact time will depend on the severity of the tear. During the initial phases of recovery, you’ll need to wear a sling to immobilize your shoulder. Once healing has progressed, physical therapy will help you restore proper strength and range of motion in the shoulder. You should be able to resume normal daily activities after about three months, but returning to strenuous activity may take longer.
Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that occurs when the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint becomes tight and contracted. It develops gradually and can result in pain and stiffness in the shoulder, particularly when trying to reach overhead. Frozen shoulder typically occurs in people between the ages of 40 and 60, with women more likely to develop it than men. In addition, individuals with diabetes, cardiac conditions or thyroid disease are at higher risk of developing frozen shoulder.
Physical therapy is typically the first treatment option recommended for frozen shoulder. However, surgery may be required in severe cases or if physical therapy is unable to correct the condition. Surgery is performed to cut the capsule surrounding the shoulder to loosen the contracted tissue, allowing the joint to move more freely.
You’ll need to wear a sling for the first week of recovery to ensure your shoulder remains immobilized. Physical therapy will be an important component of your recovery and will help you restore strength and range of motion. You should be able to resume normal activities within two to three months, but it may take up to six months before you can resume strenuous activities.
The Colorado Advanced Orthopedics team includes some of the finest board-certified, fellowship trained orthopedic surgeons on the Western Slope. Most of our shoulder surgery procedures are handled by Dr. Rhett Griggs. Dr. Griggs is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in orthopedic shoulder, elbow and hand surgery. Shoulder surgery is one of his areas of specialization, and he has extensive experience performing many of the procedures discussed above.
Our surgeons are committed to delivering the exceptional patient care you deserve. We use the latest techniques and most advanced technology to ensure you receive the best possible outcome with your shoulder surgery procedure. Colorado Advanced Orthopedics has been raising the bar for orthopedic care along the Western Slope since opening in 2020, and we’re proud to offer individuals in our rural area the same levels of care that are typically only found in major metropolitan areas.
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.