Rotator cuff tears that are not full–thickness are often treated with conservative intervention such as described above for impingement syndrome. Even some full–thickness tears are treated in this manner, if , for instance the patient is considered poor candidate for surgical intervention.

If a patient does require surgery for a rotator cuff tear, it is often an arthroscopic procedure that can be performed as an outpatient. The rotator cuff may only require debridement (removing partially torn or dysfunctional tissue), or can require a repair of the rotator cuff. Repair of the rotator cuff is often performed with sutures and anchors to reattach the rotator cuff tendon to the bone of the upper arm (humerus). These procedures are typically performed in an outpatient setting without an overnight hospital stay. Rehabilitation however can require several months of physical therapy and requires a skilled physical therapist to help regain motion and strength without causing re–injury. Rotator cuff repairs heal slowly for a number of reasons, but poor blood supply at the area where the tendon attaches to the humerus is the main reason for this delay. Medical conditions such as diabetes or smoking can negatively effect blood flow, and also contribute to poor healing.
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The labrum is a cartilage tissue which is responsible for providing stability to the ball and socket portion of the shoulder. It is the attachment point of the shoulder ligaments to the socket (glenoid). When a shoulder dislocates, usually due to a significant trauma, the labrum is often the site of injury. When the labrum remains detached, the shoulder becomes unstable and the ball can continue to slip out of the socket resulting in pain and disability.

Treatment of labrum tears involves rest, physical therapy, and arthroscopic surgery. The labrum is repaired to the socket with sutures, allowing patients to return to the activities they enjoy. If you have suffered a dislocation of your shoulder, recently, or many years ago, have your shoulder evaluated by one of our shoulder specialists.
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The shoulder is the most mobile joint of the body. The head of the humerus (arm bone) and glenoid cavity of the scapula (shoulder blade) form the ball and socket joint. The joint is held in place by the rotator cuff tendons and the soft tissue glenoid labrum. A tear in either can cause the shoulder to partially or completely dislocate. Symptoms of a shoulder dislocation include pain, swelling and bruising, and inability to move the arm and shoulder. A visible anatomical deformity is usually seen. Common causes of a shoulder dislocation are sports injuries, traumatic accidents, and falls. Patients who experience a shoulder dislocation should make an appointment with an Orthopaedic Institute Brielle Orthopaedics Orthopaedic Institute Brielle Orthopaedics specialist as soon as possible. Delaying treatment increases the chances of another dislocation.
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The shoulder is one of the most important joints. Shoulder fractures, breaks, and sprains can limit a patient’s ability to perform movements required for day-to-day living and fun activities. Common causes of shoulder fractures, breaks, and sprains are:

• Traumatic accidents
• Sports injuries
• Falls
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis

Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. In some cases, an anatomical deformity may be seen. Orthopaedic Institute Brielle Orthopaedics Orthopaedic Institute Brielle Orthopaedics specialists are fellowship trained and board-certified. They use a step-by-step approach to accurately diagnose shoulder fractures, breaks, and sprains. First, a complete medical history that includes the cause of the injury and a history of symptoms is obtained. Next, a physical examination is performed. Last, medical imaging studies (X-rays and possibly an MRI) are ordered, performed, and analyzed. A customized treatment plan is prescribed after a diagnosis is made.
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Shoulder tendonitis is the inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons. The tendons stabilize the shoulder and help it move. They become irritated and inflamed when overused. Symptoms of shoulder tendonitis include:

• Shoulder pain at rest
• Shoulder pain triggered by movement
• Stiffness
• Decreased range of motion

Activities and movements that cause shoulder tendonitis include throwing sports, swimming, weightlifting, and overhead lifting (manual labor). The cause of shoulder tendonitis is very important for treatment. Orthopaedic Institute Brielle Orthopaedics Orthopaedic Institute Brielle Orthopaedics specialists perform a medical history review to determine the exact cause of shoulder tendonitis. A physical examination is performed to check for symptoms and if needed medical imaging studies (X-rays and MRIs) are ordered to rule out the possibility of a tendon tear.

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Impingement Syndrome is a condition where the patients have often pain related to inflammation around the rotator cuff tendon and bursa, which may be caused by poor shoulder mechanics or an abnormal anatomy, which puts them at risk for this condition. It is often treated with oral anti-inflammatories (Motrin, Aleve), steroid injections, physical therapy and/or arthroscopic surgery. Many times mechanics can be restored through a combination of inflammatory-relieving medications/injections and physical therapy. Shoulder surgery is reserved for those patients who do not respond to these conservative treatments.