Shoulder Injuries and Disorders
The shoulder is one of the most complex and mobile joints in the human body, which makes it very susceptible to injuries and disorders. The shoulder is actually several joints combined with tendons and muscles to allow a wide range of upper extremity mobility. This extra mobility of the shoulder has increasing problems with instability or impingement of the soft tissue and bony structures.
Dr. Michael Boothby, a top-rated shoulder specialist, along with his staff at the Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute treats a wide spectrum of related shoulder conditions, using a variety of cutting edge treatments and, when necessary, surgeries to ensure our patients are out enjoying a pain-free lifestyle as soon as possible. Additionally, as a sports injury specialist, Dr. Boothby is known for his care for and treatment of the shoulder, as has performed hundreds of minimally invasive arthroscopic shoulder surgeries.
Anatomy of the Shoulder Joint
The shoulder is the most flexible joint in the entire human body is actually made up of two separate joints called the acromioclavicular (AC) joint and glenohumeral joint. These two shoulder joints are formed by the union of bones consisting of the scapula (shoulder blade), the clavicle (collarbone), and the humerus (upper arm bone). These joints allow for increased mobility by working together to allow the arm both to circumduct in a large circle and to rotate around its axis at the shoulder.
The shoulder acromioclavicular (AC) joint is at the top of the shoulder forming the junction between the clavicle and the acromion process of the scapula. The joint is flat and allows for gliding, giving the shoulder flexibility It is stabilized by three ligaments.
The shoulder glenohumeral joint is a ball and socket joint where the head of the humerus fits into the shallow cup-like depression of the scapula, called the glenoid fossa. The shallow socket of the glenoid fossa is made deeper by the addition of the glenoid labrum, the cartilaginous fibrous ring attached to the circumference of the cavity. The shoulder joint is surrounded by a network of soft tissue (ligaments, tendons, and muscles) called the shoulder capsule, which reinforces the structure and helps prevent dislocations, that is it keeps the arm bone in the shoulder socket. These components work together to produce shoulder movement.
Common Shoulder Injuries and Disorders
Orthopedic surgeons group shoulder problems into the following categories.
- Impingement: Shoulder impingement syndrome is a common cause of shoulder pain that occurs when the tendons or bursa are “pinched”
- Instability / rotator cuff:
Shoulder mobility comes at a price – instability. This instability leads the shoulder to be a common site of injuries and disorders including:
- Shoulder Dislocation and Separation (Acromioclavicular “AC” Joint Separation)
- Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
- Shoulder Impingement or Impingement Syndrome
- Shoulder Rotator Cuff Tears
- Shoulder Labrum Tear or Labral Tear
- Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
- Shoulder Strains and Sprains
- Shoulder Tendonitis and Bursitis
- Shoulder Arthritis or Osteoarthritis
- Shoulder Fractures
- Biceps Tendonitis
- Pitcher’s Shoulder, Swimmer’s Shoulder, Tennis Shoulder
At the Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute (OSMI), we treat a wide range of shoulder-related conditions, using cutting-edge treatments, as well as minimally invasive surgical techniques, to ensure our patients are enjoying a pain-free lifestyle as quickly as possible.
Dr. Michael Boothby and the shoulder specialists at OSMI utilize the most advanced diagnostic and treatment methods available to ensure that your orthopedic shoulder pain is treated as effectively and painlessly as possible. Our physicians and care specialists combine clinical orthopedic surgery, rehabilitative sports medicine, physical and occupational therapy, and clinical science research to provide unparalleled shoulder treatment in the DFW area. As with all of our services, we exhaust all options before any surgery is recommended as a treatment.
If you have a shoulder injury or even mild shoulder discomfort that you would like to relieve, contact the Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute today to see what our shoulder specialists can do for you. Please submit an online appointment request or contact our office at 817-529-1900.
