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Shoulder · Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Rotator Cuff Tear

A tear in one of the four tendons that hold the shoulder in its socket and lift the arm. Common after fifty, and after a fall or hard pull at any age.

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Shoulder · Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Shoulder Impingement

Pinching of the rotator cuff and bursa between the ball of the shoulder and the bony roof above it, causing pain with reaching and overhead activity.

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Shoulder · Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Shoulder Instability

A shoulder that dislocates or slips partly out of the socket, usually after a first dislocation stretched the ligaments and tore the labrum.

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Shoulder · Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Shoulder Arthritis

Wear of the smooth cartilage lining the ball and socket of the shoulder, producing deep pain, grinding and progressive stiffness.

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Shoulder · Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Frozen Shoulder

Adhesive capsulitis: thickening and tightening of the joint capsule that stiffens the shoulder and causes months of pain, often with no injury at all.

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Shoulder · Shoulder and Sports Medicine

SLAP Tear

A tear of the top of the labrum where the biceps tendon anchors, common in throwers and after a fall on an outstretched arm.

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Shoulder · Shoulder and Sports Medicine

AC Joint Injury

A sprain or separation of the joint where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade, usually from a fall onto the point of the shoulder.

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Shoulder · Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Biceps Tendon Injury

Inflammation, fraying or tearing of the biceps tendon where it anchors inside the shoulder, often alongside rotator cuff or labral problems.

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Shoulder · Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Shoulder Bursitis

Inflammation of the fluid-filled cushion between the rotator cuff and the bony roof of the shoulder, causing pain with reaching and lying on that side.

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Shoulder · Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Shoulder Fractures

Breaks of the collarbone, the upper arm bone at the shoulder, or the shoulder blade, from falls and collisions. Many heal in a sling; some need fixation or replacement.

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Shoulder · Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Shoulder Cartilage Injury

Damage to the smooth cartilage surface of the ball or socket, from a dislocation, an injury or early wear, that causes pain, catching and the start of arthritis.

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Shoulder · Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Throwing Injuries

Overuse injuries of the shoulder and elbow in baseball, softball and other overhead athletes: labral tears, internal impingement, biceps problems and elbow ligament strain.

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What it is

Shoulder Impingement

Impingement is irritation of the rotator cuff tendons and the bursa above them as they pass under the acromion, the bony roof of the shoulder.

The tendons swell, the space narrows, and the pinch worsens with each reach.It is the most common cause of shoulder pain in adults and often the first stage before a cuff tear.

Treated by

J. Ryan Taylor, MD, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. TaylorShoulder and Sports Medicine

Kevin Christensen, MD, Knee, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. ChristensenKnee, Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Michael Carlson, MD, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. CarlsonShoulder and Sports Medicine

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or call801-640-0000

Shoulder Impingement

Symptoms

Pain on the front and outside of the shoulder reaching overhead, behind the back, or across the body.A painful arc lifting the arm between roughly sixty and one hundred twenty degrees. Night pain on that side.

Strength is usually preserved, which separates impingement from a full tear.

Common signs

Pain reaching overhead or across

Painful arc lifting the arm

Night pain on that side

Strength mostly preserved

See us sooner if

Weakness, not just pain

Pain after a specific injury

Shoulder Impingement

Causes

Repetitive overhead work or sport, posture that rolls the shoulders forward, weakness of the muscles that position the shoulder blade, and a hooked acromion shape some people are born with.Bone spurs on the underside of the acromion develop with age and add to the pinch.

Shoulder Impingement

How We Diagnose It

Exam reproduces the painful arc and specific impingement signs.X-rays show acromion shape and spurs. MRI or ultrasound evaluates the cuff for a tear when symptoms persist.A diagnostic injection into the bursa that relieves the pain confirms the diagnosis.Overhead workers and swimmers fill this diagnosis; most resolve with a Utah Valley physical therapy program and an injection. Dr. Taylor, Dr. Christensen and Dr. Carlson operate at Utah Valley Hospital and American Fork Hospital.

Shoulder Impingement

Treatment Options

Physical therapy focused on rotator cuff and shoulder blade strengthening resolves most cases over six to twelve weeks.

Anti-inflammatories and a corticosteroid injection help in the meantime.Arthroscopic subacromial decompression removes the spur and inflamed bursa for the minority that fail a real course of therapy.

Your options

Non-surgical

Cuff strengthening

Anti-inflammatories

Injection

Surgical

Decompression (scope)

Shoulder Arthroscopy

Rotator Cuff Repair

Shoulder Impingement

Procedures That Address It

Shoulder Arthroscopy

Rotator Cuff Repair

Shoulder Impingement

Surgeons Who Treat It

Dr. Taylor, MD

Dual fellowship trained in sports medicine and in shoulder and elbow surgery. Former Division I football player.

Dr. Christensen, MD

Andrews Institute sports medicine fellowship under Dr. James Andrews. Board certified in orthopedic surgery and orthopedic sports medicine. Fluent in Spanish.

Dr. Carlson, MD

Arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, elbow, knee, hip and ankle. Published sports medicine researcher. Fourteen years in practice.

Request an appointment

or call801-640-0000

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Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.

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Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104

Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330

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