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Shoulder Surgery

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The shoulder has the highest range of motion and can move in nearly a 360-degree rotation, making it more susceptible to injury than other joints. Shoulder injuries and conditions that cause pain can make it extremely difficult to complete your normal daily activities and unfortunately, sometimes conservative treatment methods aren’t enough to relieve pain. If this is the case for you, shoulder arthroscopic surgery may be necessary. Whether your shoulder pain results from a sports-related injury or degenerative disease, Mark Miller, MD, is here to help. Our orthopedic surgeons can determine if shoulder surgery is right for you — make an appointment with Mark Miller, MD, today!

Why Choose Our Chesterfield Orthopedic Surgeons

With years of training and knowledge, Dr. Mark Miller is a leading shoulder orthopedic surgeon in the St. Louis. He has managed countless patients’ shoulder problems, from common to complex. You can have peace of mind knowing that your shoulder surgery is performed by a skilled orthopedic surgeon who is highly experienced in shoulder arthroscopy.

What is Shoulder Arthroscopy?

The arthroscope is a fiber-optic instrument (narrower than a pen) that is put into the shoulder joint through small incisions. A camera is attached to the arthroscope and the image is viewed on a TV monitor. The arthroscope allows me to fully evaluate the entire shoulder joint, including the ligaments, the rotator cuff, the biceps tendon, the joint lining, and the cartilage surface. Small instruments ranging from 3-5 millimeters in size are inserted through additional incisions to enable the surgeon to feel the joint structures for any damage, diagnose the injury, and then repair, reconstruct, or remove the damaged tissue. Before the development of arthroscopy, large incisions had to be made over the shoulder joint to treat or diagnose injuries. Today’s arthroscopic techniques allow more complete evaluations of the shoulder joint while accelerating the rehabilitation process.

To learn more, read our shoulder arthroscopy FAQs.

Different Types of Shoulder Surgery

As the most mobile joint in the body, you can injure your shoulder by playing sports or performing manual labor; you can even sustain a shoulder injury simply by repetitive movement. Depending on the severity of the injury, our expert staff will determine the best treatment option for a labrum injury. Shoulder arthroscopy allows the surgeon to view the inside of the shoulder joint, and perform a variety of surgeries, for example on the rotator cuff and labrum. Procedures range from minimally invasive options to open surgeries.

Types of shoulder surgery procedures include:

  • A complete evaluation of the joint (diagnostic arthroscopy)
  • Subacromial Decompression (in cases of rotator cuff impingement)
  • Repair of a damaged or torn biceps tendon (SLAP repair or biceps tenodesis)
  • Evaluation and repair of the rotator cuff (in cases of rotator cuff tendonitis or tears)
  • Removal of the end of the clavicle (in cases of AC joint arthritis)
  • Repair of torn or damaged cartilage or ligaments of the shoulder in cases of shoulder instability

Signs You Need Shoulder Surgery

We will attempt nonsurgical treatment options (such as physical therapy exercises, ice and heat, shoulder stretches, and anti-inflammatory medications) first before recommending surgery; however, in some cases, shoulder arthroscopic surgery may be necessary.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, especially if the shoulder pain does not get better with rest, medication, or other conservative treatment methods, contact us for an appointment with our orthopedic surgeon.

  • Numbness
  • Stiffness
  • Throbbing
  • Intense swelling
  • Lack of strength
  • Inability to rotate your shoulder joint normally
  • Pain radiating down into the elbow
  • Feeling like your shoulder is popping or sliding out of place

Shoulder Orthopedic Surgeon Chesterfield

Let us help treat your shoulder injury and pain so you can get back to your normal range of motion and lifestyle. Contact our shoulder surgeons in the St. Louis area today or schedule an appointment!

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