Shoulder Specialist Care

Arthritis of the shoulder is a common condition that causes inflammation and damage to the joints. Osteoarthritis of the shoulder can affect 32.8% of patients over the age of sixty. Although shoulder arthritis cannot be fully cured, it can be treated to reduce pain and discomfort while improving mobility.

At Boston Hand to Shoulder, our shoulder specialists can diagnose and treat any case of shoulder arthritis from moderate to severe.

Biceps tendinitis causes inflammation and irritation in the tendon that connects the bicep to the shoulder. Trauma, overuse, age-related degeneration, and even improper form during exercise are common causes of inflammation in this tendon. This overuse injury is common in athletes, especially baseball players and golfers.

Biceps tendinitis can often fully go away through appropriate treatment and rest. Our shoulder specialists can examine and diagnose biceps tendinitis to determine the best course of treatment for each unique case.

A biceps tendon tear is an injury in which the biceps tendon ruptures due to trauma, overuse, age-related degeneration, or shoulder impingement syndrome. For diagnosis, your doctor will conduct a physical examination, review medical history, and may request use of an X-ray or MRI to determine the seriousness of the tear.

Depending on the severity of the bicep injury, treatment may include rest, ice, medications, physical therapy, or surgery, in severe cases.

There are several types of shoulder dislocations: anteriorly dislocated shoulder, posterior dislocation, inferior dislocation, atraumatic dislocation, multidirectional dislocation, or subluxation (partial dislocation). Our doctors offer different types of dislocated shoulder treatments depending on the type and severity of dislocation.

A dislocated shoulder typically does not heal on its own. Without proper treatment, shoulder dislocations can lead to further complications like arthritis, nerve damage, and chronic pain. Medical attention is required for a dislocated shoulder to fully heal properly. If you suffer from a shoulder dislocation, contact Boston Hand to Shoulder to make an appointment with a shoulder specialist.

Adhesive Capsulitis of the shoulder, also called frozen shoulder, causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint caused by injury that limits shoulder movement from the shoulder joint capsule.

When the connective tissue, known as the shoulder joint capsule, becomes inflamed, it can get stiff. This joint contains the humeral head ligament that attaches the top of your upper arm bone to the glenoid, or shoulder socket, also called the ball-and-socket joint. While some cases of a frozen shoulder can heal on their own, it’s important to seek a proper diagnosis and treatment plan from a shoulder specialist to avoid risk of further complications.

Shoulder tendonitis is caused by inflammations in the shoulder tendons. Rotator cuff tendonitis, supraspinatus tendinitis, bicipital tendinitis, impingement syndrome, and calcific tendinitis are all types of tendonitis that impact the shoulder. Inflammation in the shoulder tendons is common with athletes who put repetitive and excessive stress on their tendons, often in sports where your arm frequently goes over your head – such as, baseball, volleyball, weightlifting, and swimming.

Shoulder tendonitis is not inherently permanent, especially with timely diagnosis and treatment. If left untreated, shoulder tendonitis can lead to complications like tendon degeneration and tears. Contact a shoulder doctor at Boston Hand to Shoulder to treat your shoulder tendonitis today.

A labral tear in the shoulder occurs when the labrum, or soft tissue, that lines the edge of the shoulder socket is injured or ruptured. Types of labral tears include: anterior labral tear, posterior labral tear, superior labrum anterior-posterior (SLAP) tear, and complex labral tear.

In some cases, a torn shoulder labrum can heal on its own. However, it’s always best to make an appointment with a shoulder specialist to ensure that you will not experience further complications depending on its severity. While they can sometimes heal on their own, the healing process may still require a level of rest or physical therapy for it to fully and properly heal.

The rotator cuff is a collective group of muscles and tendons holding the shoulder joint in place. Tears or injuries to the rotator cuff can cause a wide range of issues including pain, weakness, and limited range of motion. Most cases of rotator cuff injuries will not heal on their own and require medical attention.

There are several types of rotator cuffs: supraspinatus tear, infraspinatus tear, subscapularis tear, and teres minor tear. There are also different size tears: partial-thickness, full-thickness, and massive tear. Contact your doctor to make an appointment to diagnose and treat any issues relating to the rotator cuff.

A shoulder separation, also called an acromioclavicular (AC) joint separation, occurs when ligaments connecting the clavicle to the shoulder blade are stressed, torn, or stretched. Sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents, falls, and direct blows to the shoulder are the most common causes that can lead to shoulder separation.

While most shoulder separation can heal on its own, it still requires an examination from a shoulder doctor. Without proper treatment and healing, shoulder separation can lead to more serious complications that worsen over time. Your doctor can determine the best treatment for allowing a shoulder separation to experience a full recovery.