Snapping shoulder Shoulder snapping or popping is a very common issue— it is so common that this is one of the most frequently searched topics on my website.  I see between 5-10 patients a week who are simply in my office because the want to know – Why my  shoulder snaps and pops? The shoulder… Read More

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain; Shoulder pain is extremely common across all age spectrums.  Different *problems* arise in different age groups.  As we age, our tissues change. In children the cartilage of the shoulder  is weaker than the rotator cuff of the shoulder.  Therefore children rarely  suffer rotator cuff injuries.  In adults the rotator cuff… Read More

Rotator cuff tendinosis is a degenerative (genetic, age or activity related) change that occurs in our rotator cuff tendons over time. Rotator cuff tendinosis is exceptionally common.  Many, many people have tendinosis of the rotator cuff and do not even know it.  Why rotator cuff tendinosis bothers some people and doesn’t bothers others is currently… Read More

Proper structure and function of the rotator cuff is important for the shoulder.  Fraying of the rotator cuff tendon surface, partial thickness tears, and full thickness rotator cuff tears are all quite common.  How do Orthopedists figure out which one you have and how does that effect our treatment strategies?   Rotator Cuff Tears: Before… Read More

Does rotator cuff tendinosis progress? Since rotator cuff tendinosis represents a(n) (age related, genetic or post-traumatic) degenerative condition, and degenerative conditions by definition usually progress, the unfortunate answer is yes.  However, that does not always correlate with worsening of your pain or symptoms.  Some people can have severe tendinosis and insignificant pain.  Also, the rate of progression… Read More

Usually not. Many tears in people over 50 are simply the result of aging. We call these attritional tears, where the tissue simply wears out from use. Just like the front of your knee on your favorite pair of jeans — sometimes the rotator cuff tendon simply wears out. An acute, traumatic tear in a young patient… Read More

The arthroscope is a fiber optic camera inserted into the shoulder through a small stab wound. This serves as our eyes within the joint. With the advent of a multitude of arthroscopic instruments, we can now repair your rotator cuff, labral tear, or ligament tear using this approach. This eliminates the need for an open incision… Read More

What is the Labrum? The glenoid labrum is a cartilage disc attached to the socket of the shoulder that aids in maintaining stability of the shoulder — so that it stays in its proper place. The labrum is firmly attached to the socket, and the ligaments which connect the bones of the shoulder together insert… Read More