SPARTANBURG • DUNCAN • GREENVILLE, SC

Shoulder Specialist

Orthopedic Shoulder Treatment in South Carolina
Expert Shoulder Physicians

OVERVIEW

Comprehensive Shoulder Treatment & Rehabilitation

The Shoulder Center at Carolina Orthopaedics & Neurosurgical Associates is home to the most highly-trained physicians who are experienced in the treatments of the shoulders. Our specially-trained physicians provide advanced treatment for problems related to the shoulder–from chronic pain related to arthritis or other athletic injuries.

There are a variety of conditions and disorders that affect the shoulder. If you do not see a condition below, please contact our office and we will answer any questions you may have.
The shoulder is a ball and socket joint made up of three bones. It allows a wide range of motion and is very susceptible to injuries. The shoulder joint is more prone to dislocation than any other joint.

Most shoulder problems often occur from injuries, trauma, overuse, degeneration, arthritis, accident, and age-related wear and tear. Shoulder damage causes pain and a poor range of motion. The pain can cause difficulties in performing your daily activities.

There are a variety of shoulder conditions and injuries that our specialists treat. Please contact our office, if you do not see the condition below.

When Should I Have Shoulder Surgery?

Most shoulder problems can be relieved with nonsurgical treatments such as rest, physical therapy, medications, injections, and other conservative treatments. But your shoulder condition may not improve after these treatments and may worsen.

You may need shoulder surgery when nonsurgical treatments are not helping you. Shoulder surgery repairs a damaged, degenerated, or diseased shoulder joint. It helps relieve pain and restore a free range of motion and function.

Living in pain and discomfort is not worth it when you can get long-term relief with surgery and return to doing the things you love.

The Shoulder Center at Carolina Orthopaedic & Neurosurgical Associates has highly-trained physicians who are experienced in the treatments of the shoulder. Our specially-trained physicians provide advanced treatment,

Shoulder surgery is suggested only when all other options have been exhausted. Our Shoulder Center Team is dedicated to treating patients with the most effective course of treatment available.

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TREATMENT OPTIONS

Common Shoulder Treatments

Shoulder Surgery

Shoulder surgery treats a variety of shoulder injuries and conditions that nonsurgical treatment options cannot treat.

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Rotator Cuff Surgery

Rotator cuff injuries are perhaps the most common types of shoulder injuries.

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Rotator Cuff Repair

A rotator cuff repair is a minimally invasive procedure that treats a partially or completely torn rotator cuff.

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Shoulder Stabilization

Shoulder destabilization injuries are common because the shoulder is the body’s most mobile joint.

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Reverse Shoulder Replacement

A reverse total shoulder replacement is a surgical treatment option for a movement-related shoulder arthritis pain.

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Shoulder Joint Replacement

A shoulder joint replacement treats an arthritic shoulder joint.

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Symptoms of Shoulder Problems

The symptoms of shoulder problems may include:

Swelling
Numbness
Severe pain
Stiffness
Arm weakness
Poor sleep quality
Deformity of the shoulder
Difficulty moving your shoulder
Discoloration, bruising, or redness

The Shoulder Center at Carolina Orthopaedic & Neurosurgical Associates has highly-trained physicians who are experienced in the treatments of the shoulder. Our specially-trained physicians provide advanced treatment,

Shoulder surgery is suggested only when all other options have been exhausted. Our Shoulder Center Team is dedicated to treating patients with the most effective course of treatment available.

CONDITIONS

Common Shoulder Conditions

Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is a common condition that affects many patient populations. Shoulder pain and associated symptoms can make upper extremity movements difficult and everyday activities difficult, or even impossible to perform. Shoulder pain patients should make an appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) shoulder specialist as soon as possible. Early treatment reduces pain and preventative measures ensure pain does not return.

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Shoulder Fracture

The collar bone, upper arm bone and shoulder blade are the three shoulder bones. A shoulder fracture occurs when one or more of the bones break, usually after a serious accident or injury. A Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) should see a shoulder fracture as soon as possible. An effective treatment plan is prescribed so the bone(s) can heal as quickly as possible.

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Rotator Cuff Tear

The rotator cuff is a group of tendons that stabilize and move the shoulder. A rotator cuff tear occurs when one or more of the tendons are partially or completely torn. Patients who injure their shoulder and experience rotator cuff tear symptoms should make an appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) shoulder specialist as soon as possible. Delaying treatment may make the injury and its symptoms worse.

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Separated Shoulder

A separated shoulder occurs when the acromion and clavicle bone separate. Normally, the two bones articulate to form the shoulder stabilizing and protecting AC joint. A Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) should see a separated shoulder as soon as possible. Delaying diagnosis and treatment may make the separation and associated symptoms worse.

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Broken Clavicle (Collar Bone)

The clavicle or collar bone is one of the main shoulder bones. A clavicle break is a serious injury that requires medical treatment. An appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) shoulder specialist should be made as soon as possible.

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Shoulder Dislocation

A shoulder dislocation occurs when the shoulder pops out of the socket. Immediate medical attention may be needed to put the shoulder back in place in some cases. In others, the shoulder may easily put itself back in place. Regardless, an appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) shoulder specialist should be made after a shoulder dislocation. Delaying a diagnosis and treatment greatly increases the chances of another dislocation.

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Shoulder Bursitis

Bursitis in the shoulder is caused by swelling in the bursa. The bursae are sacs that are filled with fluid and are part of the skeletal system. They fill the space between bones and connective tissue with cushioning, which lets muscles, tendons, and bones move together smoothly. An appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) shoulder specialist should be made if you are experiencing bursitis symptoms in the shoulder.

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Labral Tear

A labral tear is a tear of the shoulder labrum, a rim of soft cartilage that helps stabilize the shoulder. A unique type of labral tear is a SLAP tear. The acronym SLAP stands for “superior labrum tear from anterior to posterior”. As its name indicates, a SLAP tear is a serious injury that requires as soon as possible medical attention. An appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) shoulder specialist should be made at the first sign of symptoms.
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Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder is severe shoulder stiffness. When left untreated, frozen shoulder becomes worse and decreases the quality of life. A Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) shoulder specialist’s customized treatment plan quickly reduces symptoms and improves shoulder mobility.

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Shoulder Impingement

Shoulder impingement occurs when the shoulder bones impinge or press on the rotator cuff tendons. Because the rotator cuff helps move and stabilize the shoulder, shoulder impingement and associated symptoms can be problematic. Mild cases can be uncomfortable, aggravating and annoying. Moderate and severe cases can make day-to-day living activities difficult or impossible. Early diagnosis and treatment are always best—symptoms are reduced and the shoulder impingement is treated before it gets worse.

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OUR SPECIALISTS

Meet the Team That Gets You Moving Again

Our shoulder specialists diagnose and treat injuries, pain, and conditions to restore strength, stability, mobility, and function.

ORTHOPAEDIC SPORTS MEDICINE SURGEON

Mikhail Alexeev, MD

Board-Certified Orthopedic Sports Medicine Specialist

Minimally Invasive Sports Medicine

Shoulder, Hip & Knee Injuries

Sports Injury Care

Spartanburg Duncan Greenville

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HAND & UPPER EXTREMITY ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON

David Brown, MD

Fellowship-Trained Hand & Upper Extremity Specialist

Hand & Wrist Conditions

Shoulder Injuries

Minimally Invasive Procedures

Spartanburg Duncan Greenville

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HAND, SHOULDER & ELBOW ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON

Tyler Luthringer, MD

Fellowship-Trained Upper Extremity Specialist

Shoulder Replacement

Shoulder & Elbow Arthroscopy

Hand & Wrist Surgery

Spartanburg Greenville

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ORTHOPAEDIC SPORTS MEDICINE SURGEON

Ian Gao, MD

Fellowship-Trained Sports Medicine Specialist

Sports Injuries

Arthroscopic Shoulder & Knee Surgery

ACL & Rotator Cuff Injuries

Spartanburg Greenville

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Shoulder FAQs

What are the most common shoulder conditions treated at CONA?

CONA's Shoulder Center treats a wide range of conditions including rotator cuff tears, shoulder impingement, frozen shoulder, shoulder dislocation, labral and SLAP tears, shoulder bursitis, shoulder fractures, separated shoulder, and arthritis. If you're experiencing shoulder pain or limited range of motion, our board-certified specialists can diagnose the cause and recommend the most effective treatment.

How do I know if my shoulder problem requires surgery?

Most shoulder conditions respond well to nonsurgical treatments such as rest, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and corticosteroid injections. Surgery is recommended only when these conservative approaches have not provided adequate relief, or when there is structural damage — such as a complete rotator cuff tear or recurrent dislocation — that is unlikely to heal on its own. Your CONA shoulder specialist will guide you through this decision.

What is a rotator cuff tear, and how is it treated?

The rotator cuff is a group of four tendons that stabilize and move the shoulder joint. A rotator cuff tear occurs when one or more of these tendons are partially or completely torn, often from injury or gradual wear. Partial tears may be treated with physical therapy and injections, while complete tears often require surgical repair. CONA offers minimally invasive rotator cuff repair for faster recovery and less post-operative discomfort.

What is the difference between a shoulder replacement and a reverse shoulder replacement?

A standard shoulder joint replacement recreates the natural ball-and-socket structure of the shoulder and is typically used for arthritis when the rotator cuff is still intact. A reverse shoulder replacement switches the ball and socket positions — placing the ball on the shoulder blade side and the socket on the arm bone — and is designed for patients whose rotator cuff is severely damaged or irreparable. Your surgeon will recommend the approach best suited to your anatomy and condition.

What symptoms indicate I should see a shoulder specialist?

You should schedule an appointment if you have persistent shoulder pain, significant swelling or bruising, difficulty lifting your arm, a feeling of instability or the shoulder 'giving way,' numbness or weakness in the arm, or pain that disrupts your sleep. Early evaluation leads to better outcomes and may prevent a minor issue from becoming a more serious injury.

How long is recovery after shoulder surgery?

Recovery time depends on the type of procedure. A rotator cuff repair typically involves a sling for several weeks followed by several months of physical therapy, with most patients returning to full activity within four to six months. Shoulder replacement recovery generally takes three to six months. Your CONA care team will provide a personalized recovery plan and timeline based on your specific surgery and health.