Shoulders

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Common Shoulder Problems
After age 25, most problems are caused by the effect of repeated overhead motions for a long period of time. Weekend athletes and do-it-yourselfers are especially vulnerable to overuse problems in the shoulder. The leading causes of shoulder pain are:

• Bursitis- The bursa is a fluid-filled sac that cushions the rotator cuff tendons from the shoulder bone. An irritated bursa is caused by an inflamed rotator cuff. When irritated, the bursa produces extra fluid, the sac expands and the pressure creates pain.
• Tendonitis- Deep in the shoulder are a group of tendons and muscles called a rotator cuff. They help stabilize the upper arm bone in the shoulder joint and rotate the arm. When the arm is raised repeatedly over the head, the tendons rub against the underside of the shoulder bone and become irritated. The tendons swell, leaving even less space between tendons and bone.
• Irritated rotator cuff- Excessive wear on the rotator cuff can lead to severe irritation, roughening, and eventually ulceration and tearing of the cuff. An irritated rotator cuff is felt as a clicking or popping in the shoulder from a ragged piece of the cuff sliding under the shoulder bone, and arm weakness. Occasionally, injuries or infections can lead to arthritis, although arthritis in the shoulder is less common than in the knee or hip. Arthritis in the shoulder causes a roughening of the joint from worn cartilage and loose fragments of bone.

Click here to download a brochure on common shoulder problems.

Click here to see a web streaming video on shoulder surgery, featuring Dr. Lupo.

Shoulder replacement
A shoulder replacement is a surgical procedure in which parts of an arthritic or damaged joint are removed and replaced with a metal and plastic covering called a prosthesis or artificial joint. The artificial joint replaces cartilage that has worn away over the years. Shoulder replacement can eliminate pain and allow artificial joints to function just like normal, healthy joints.

During shoulder replacement, replacement parts made up of a titanium shaft and a chrome cobalt alloy head are placed in the upper arm bone. The socket side is replaced with a heating surface made from high-density plastic.

Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that allows your doctor to look at the inside of a joint in your body through a thin viewing instrument called an arthroscope. It allows your doctor to look at the joint surfaces and the surrounding ligaments and cartilage through three tiny incisions closed with one stitch each. This procedure can be used to diagnose a joint problem, perform a surgery that repairs a joint problem, remove a loose or foreign body, or monitor a disease or the effectiveness of a treatment. Arthroscopy is commonly performed on the knee, shoulder and ankle. It can also be done on the hip, wrist and elbow. Problems that can be treated through arthroscopy include:

• Impingement syndrome
• Irritated rotator cuff
• Torn cartilage
• Unstable joint

Click here to see a web streaming video on arthroscopy, featuring Dr. Mason.

Click on one of the brochures below to download additional information.
Hip Replacement	Knee Replacement	Shoulder Problems	Osteoarthritis

For more information about the Saint Vincent Advanced Orthopedic Center, please call 814/452-5500 or 800/326-8080.