The shoulders are complex, strong, and flexible joints that provide athletes with the range of motion they need to pitch, pass, stroke, and more. Unfortunately, the hardworking and complex nature of the shoulders is also the reason why they're prone to injury, especially during athletic activity. Most of these conditions are progressive, so they may not present any symptoms or pain at first. However, as they worsen, they can severely limit an athlete's ability to compete and participate in their favorite sports.
At Sports Medicine & Joint Replacement Specialists, our team of sports medicine specialists is proud to have provided patients with state-of-the-art shoulder treatment for a combined 40 years and counting. We’re committed to offering patients the least invasive, most conservative treatments available, ensuring that your recovery is as quick, effective, and affordable as possible. When you receive care from Sports Medicine & Joint Replacement Specialists, you’re not just another patient – you’re a member of our family.
Whether you need the best treatment for arthritis available or support for a rotator cuff injury, we’re here to help. If you’re ready to receive care from the top orthopedic surgeons Pittsburgh, PA has to offer, don’t wait – schedule an appointment with Sports Medicine & Joint Replacement Specialists today.
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint, which means that the rounded end of the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into a shallow socket in the shoulder blade. This design gives the shoulder a wide range of motion, but it also makes it susceptible to instability and injury. Most athletes sustain shoulder injuries when the joint is forced beyond its normal range of motion, causing the ligaments and tendons around the shoulder to stretch or tear.
Some of the most common types of shoulder injury we treat at Sports Medicine & Joint Replacement Specialists Include:
If you're struggling with chronic shoulder pain or instability due to a sports injury or long-term condition, the team at Sports Medicine & Joint Replacement Specialists can help. We offer a wide range of nonsurgical and surgical treatment options for shoulder pain, and no matter the cause or severity, we'll work with you to find the best possible solution.
If you're dealing with acute shoulder pain, there are a few things you can do at home to find relief. First, try using ice for 20 minutes at a time several times a day. You can also take over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help manage the pain. If these conservative measures don't provide relief, or if your pain is severe, it's important to see a doctor.
At Sports Medicine & Joint Replacement Specialists, our team of shoulder specialists can provide you with a comprehensive evaluation to determine the cause of your pain. From there, we'll develop a treatment plan that works for you.
The shoulder is a weight-bearing joint, which means that the bones and cartilage within the joint are constantly under stress. This stress can eventually lead to the development of arthritis, a degenerative joint condition. Arthritis most commonly affects the rotator cuff, the group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint and hold the humerus in place.
Athletes are especially susceptible to shoulder arthritis because of the repetitive motions often involved in sports. These motions can put additional stress on the shoulder joint, speeding up the development of arthritis.
Yes! Sports Medicine & Joint Replacement Specialists is proud to accept a wide variety of insurances across Western PA, Ohio, and West Virginia. For patients in the Pittsburgh area, we accept both Highmark and UPMC. View our Insurance page to see our list of providers, and if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our knowledgeable and friendly staff.
The team at Sports Medicine & Joint Replacement Specialists is passionate about making our care as easy to access as possible for all of our future patients. If you’re ready to schedule an appointment, just use our Online Tool to select a time that works best for you.