Shoulder Problems & Treatments
About the Shoulder
The shoulder is similar to the hip in that it is also a ball and socket joint. The humeral head comprises the ball and the glenoid, part of the shoulder blade, makes up the socket. The socket portion of the joint is much more shallow which allows greater range of motion through the joint but also puts much greater stress on the soft tissues. These include the static stabilizers of the joint which insert onto the labrum and the dynamic stabilizers such as the rotator cuff. Shoulder pain can be a result of injury to any of these structures or even injuries to other areas around the shoulder such as the acromioclavicular (AC) joint, bicep or pectoralis tendon. The clinical examination is crucial in identifying the problem areas in the joint. Often they respond to conservative treatment such as physical therapy and injections but may require surgical intervention. Dr. Andrachuk, an Atlanta-based orthopedic surgeon, has extensive experience in the treatment of shoulder pathology using the latest arthroscopic and minimally invasive techniques.
Common Conditions We Treat
Shoulder Instability
When the structures around the shoulder joint stop working properly, it’s known as shoulder instability. This type of injury causes the ball to be loose inside the socket. When this happens, the ball might slide partially out of place, which is called shoulder subluxation. If the ball comes all the way out of the socket, it’s called a shoulder dislocation.
Shoulder Impingement
A very common cause of shoulder pain, shoulder impingement is also known as swimmer’s shoulder. It’s common in swimmers and other athletes, especially softball and baseball players.
Rotator Cuff Tears
The rotator cuff is the muscles and tendons found around the shoulder joint. These muscles and tendons help to ensure the upper arm bone stays firmly in the shoulder socket. Rotator cuff tears are common as you get older. Any tear to the muscle or tendon within this group is classified as a rotator cuff tear.
AC Joint Arthritis
When you suffer from arthritis in this area of the body, it’s known as AC joint arthritis. It’s the most common type of arthritis found in the shoulder and typically starts with gradual pain and tenderness. The most common type of AC joint arthritis is osteoarthritis, but it can come in several forms.
Distal Clavicle Osteolysis
Also known as weight lifter’s shoulder, distal clavicle osteolysis is a shoulder injury. It affects the acromioclavicular or AC joint. Distal clavicle osteolysis is most common in contact sports, such as football or rugby.
Other Conditions We Treat
- Bicep tendinitis
- Shoulder separations
- Labral tears
- Little leaguer’s shoulder
- Pec tendon tears
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
- Clavicle fractures
- Proximal humerus fractures
Commonly Performed Procedures
- Shoulder arthroscopy
- Bankart repairs
- Labral repairs
- Remplissage
- Bicep tenodesis
- Rotator cuff repairs
- Pec tendon repairs
- Distal clavicle resection
- Subacromial decompression
- Coracoclavicular (CC) ligament reconstructions
- Clavicle ORIF
- Proximal humerus ORIF
- PRP
- Stem Cell injections
Schedule An Appointment
If you’d like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Andrachuk’s Atlanta offices, please fill out the form below or call us at (404) 847-4210.
Telemedicine appointments available.