- Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists PC (ONS)

The Shoulder

The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the human body, capable of a nearly 360 degree range of motion. However, the complex mechanics of the shoulder make it vulnerable to injury. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 3.7 million people seek medical assistance for shoulder and upper arm strains and sprains each year.

Shoulder injuries, which affect people of all ages, can be caused by sports activities that involve overhead motion like swimming, tennis, pitching and weightlifting. People who do repetitive overhead movements in everyday life like painting, construction, and gardening are also susceptible to shoulder conditions ranging from sprains, strains and arthritis to tendonitis, bursitis, frozen shoulder and torn rotator cuffs.

The shoulder joint is made up of the clavicle (collarbone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the humerus (upper-arm bone). The shoulder joint, or glenohumeral joint, is a ball-and-socket joint that helps the shoulder move forward and backward and makes it possible for the arm to move in a circular motion and lift away from the body.

Shoulder pain is extremely common and can have many causes including:

Bursitis/Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

Patients with shoulder pain are most often diagnosed with bursitis or tendonitis of the rotator cuff. ..read more

Shoulder Replacement Surgery

For patients with severe arthritis of the shoulder who have not achieved pain relief from non-operative treatments, or who have had a severe fracture, a total shoulder replacement is often an option. ..read more

Frozen Shoulder

Also known as adhesive capsulitis, a frozen shoulder is a common condition that leads to stiffness and a loss of joint mobility. Frozen shoulder causes the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint to contract and form scar tissue. ..read more

Rotator Cuff Tear

The shoulder rotator cuff is comprised of four muscles and their tendons that control the function of the shoulder and connects the upper arm bone (humerus) with the shoulder blade (scapula). ..read more

Reverse Shoulder Replacement

In severe cases, where the rotator cuff tendons are degenerated or torn beyond repair and the patient has a drastic loss of mobility and severe pain, a reverse shoulder replacement may be an option. ..read more

llustrations are reproduced with permission from Fischer S, (interm ed): Your Orthopaedic Connection. Rosemont, IL, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Available at http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/.

The Elbow

The elbow joint is where the upper arm bone (humerus) meets the two bones of the lower arm (ulna and radius). The elbow joint allows the arm to work like a door on a hinge as well as twist and rotate. The elbow is made up of several muscles, nerves and tendons that connect the tissues between muscles and bones.

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is a degenerative condition of the tendon fibers that are responsible for anchoring the arm muscles that extend or lift the wrist and hand. ..read more

Throwing Injury

As with many orthopaedic injuries, repetitive motion like throwing can create an excessively strong pull on elbow tendons and ligaments. ..read more

For more information on shoulder and elbow injuries, visit the American Association of Orthopeadic Surgeons website at the following links:

Shoulder: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/category.cfm?topcategory=Shoulder
Elbow: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/category.cfm?topcategory=Arm