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Shoulder

Our specialty-trained shoulder doctors at North Louisiana Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Clinic are experts in providing experienced care for patients’ shoulder injuries and conditions.

Shoulder doctors are experts at understanding shoulder problems and the joint itself, which is both flexible and unstable at the same time. Because of this, the shoulder can be damaged and injured in numerous ways. For instance, shoulder doctors often treat people who play sports, such as tennis or baseball, since these activities require heavy use of the shoulder. The solutions shoulder doctors develop must take into account the inner workings of the shoulder joint, as well as the soft tissues surrounding it, like the muscles, tendons, and nerves.

The shoulder blade and rotator cuff are components of the shoulder that can become damaged and cause pain. Shoulder doctors also understand how the shoulder blade and rotator cuff interact with the shoulder joint and know how to offer treatment solutions that will benefit the entire shoulder area.

Shoulder doctors often work with people who have arthritis and need the medical insights and counsel a shoulder doctor can offer. With the help of a shoulder doctor, patients like these and others dealing with shoulder pain can often find relief and a better quality of life.

When It’s Time to Seek Shoulder Care

Take note of the symptoms you are experiencing and communicate those to your doctor so they will have a better understanding of what may be happening. Here are just some of the symptoms that people with shoulder problems typically have:

  • Aching
  • Cracking or snapping sounds when moving the shoulder
  • Decreased range of motion
  • Pain that increases at night
  • Pain when trying to lie on the shoulder and elbow
  • Shoulder looks deformed
  • Tender to the touch
  • Unable to reach above the head
  • Upper arm and elbow pain
  • Weakness in the shoulder or arm

If any of these symptoms describe your shoulder issue, it’s possible that you may have one of these shoulder conditions or injuries:

  • Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)
  • Clavicle (collarbone) fracture
  • Impingement
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rotator cuff tear
  • Scapula (shoulder blade) fracture
  • Scapula syndrome
  • Subacromial bursitis
  • Subacromial impingement (swimmer’s shoulder)
  • Tendonitis
  • Tendon or ligament tear

Shoulder pain can have a negative effect on your life, leaving you unable to complete everyday tasks. If shoulder pain and the underlying condition remain untreated, there is a risk of further injury or damage occurring, which is why it’s imperative to contact one of our shoulder specialists and set up a consultation. Call us today at (318) 362-4411 to schedule an appointment or request an appointment online. We have clinics in Monroe, Ruston, and West Monroe, and we also offer rehabilitation services at our Monroe Rehab and West Monroe Rehab facilities.

Our doctors understand that some injuries require immediate attention. If your shoulder injury can’t wait, visit our Orthopaedic After Hours Clinic at our main location in Monroe. Walk-ins are welcome, and no appointment is necessary.

Expert Shoulder Care You Can Trust

Since 1951, our doctors have remained dedicated to providing specialized bone, joint, and muscle care to the communities of northeast Louisiana. They are backed by a knowledgeable and professional staff and are equipped with the latest resources, technology, and tools they need to deliver the very best orthopaedic care to all patients.

At North Louisiana Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Clinic, our board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons, Dr. R. Brian Bulloch, Dr. Jeffrey CountsDr. Grant DonaDr. Martin deGravelle Jr., Dr. White “Sol” Graves, Dr. Kristopher SirmonDr. Timothy “Daven” Spires Jr., and Dr. David Trettin, are experts at understanding the multitude of shoulder issues that exist and the most appropriate ways to treat them. Our surgeons believe in exhausting all conservative treatments first, such as physical therapy or injections, before considering a medical procedure or shoulder surgery. However, if our surgeons diagnose your damage as severe, they may recommend surgery, like a rotator cuff repair or shoulder replacement, and will educate you about the process, which includes what you need to consider, how you can prepare for shoulder surgery, and what you can expect during recovery.

Our specialty-trained occupational therapists work closely with our shoulder surgeons to provide each patient with a personalized treatment plan. Our expert therapists are dedicated to helping all patients return to their daily activities quickly and safely, combining specific activities and exercises in ensuring that patients can restore joint and muscular function, strength, and range of motion.

If you have concerns about your shoulder, schedule an appointment to talk through your options with one of our expertly trained shoulder surgeons by calling us at (318) 362-4411 or requesting an appointment online.

Cameron M. Best, M.D.

Fellowship-Trained: Hand & Upper Extremity

Jeffrey R. Counts, D.O.

Fellowship-Trained: Sports Medicine

Martin J. deGravelle Jr, M.D.

Fellowship-Trained: Hand & Upper Extremity

Grant A. Dona, M.D.

Fellowship-Trained: Foot & Ankle

W. Patrick Ensminger, M.D.

Fellowship-Trained: Sports Medicine and Shoulder

White “Sol” Graves, IV, M.D.

Fellowship-Trained: Sports Medicine

Conditions

Rotator Cuff Injuries

The rotator cuff muscles and tendons hold your upper arm bone in your shoulder socket. A hard fall, repetitive arm motions or problems with the structure of your shoulder can injure the rotator cuff.



Treatments

Rotator Cuff Repair (Arthroscopic)

This surgery repairs a tear of the rotator cuff in your shoulder. The rotator cuff is group of muscles and tendons. It holds the head of the humerus in the shoulder socket.



Rotator Cuff Repair
(Mini-Open, Supraspinatus Tendon-to-Bone Insertion)

This surgical procedure is used to repair a torn supraspinatus tendon, one of the tendons that forms the rotator cuff of the shoulder. During this procedure, the tendon is reattached firmly to the head of the humerus.



Total Shoulder Replacement)

This surgery replaces the damaged or diseased head of the humerus (also called the ball) and cartilage from the shoulder joint with a metal and plastic joint.