Shoulder
At OrthoSC, the Grand Strand's largest and most comprehensive orthopedic practice, our specialty-trained doctors dedicated to providing world-class care for a variety of shoulder injuries and conditions.
When a patient sees a shoulder doctor, that specialist must examine the entire shoulder, including the rotator cuff, clavicle (collarbone), shoulder blade, and all of the other bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and soft tissue that comprise the shoulder region. Depending on the pain or injury sustained, the shoulder doctor may also examine the elbow as well.
Shoulder specialists often work with people who have arthritis, offering treatments that can reduce the shoulder pain that manifests in the shoulder's ball-and-socket joint. Examples of treatments that might be offered range from physical therapy and medications to shoulder surgery.
It is wise for a patient to find an experienced doctor who can advise them on everything from home treatments that might help reduce pain and inflammation to a doctor who can perform or recommend surgery if needed, such as shoulder replacement, reverse total shoulder replacement, or shoulder impingement surgery. If the problem is sports-related, such as a rotator cuff issue caused by throwing a baseball, it is a good idea to find a specialist who has dedicated experience in sports medicine treatments and techniques, such as rotator cuff repair and shoulder surgery on athletes.
When It's Time to Seek Shoulder Care
When you have shoulder pain, it's important to pay close attention to your symptoms so you can give your doctor a more detailed description of your pain when you go to your appointment, which in turn helps your doctor diagnose and treat you. Although every person experiences shoulder issues differently, here are examples of common shoulder symptoms you may be noticing:
- Aching pain
- Discomfort that travels down into the elbow
- Lingering sports-related problems, such as stiffness
- Muscle weakness in the arm, elbow, or hand
- Severe shoulder pain
- Swelling around the shoulder joint
- Tenderness
- Tingling
Having any of the symptoms above may indicate one of the following common shoulder problems or injuries:
- Bankart tear
- Bursitis
- Calcific tendonitis (rotator cuff calcium deposits)
- Cartilage degeneration
- Clavicle fracture
- Dislocation
- Fracture
- Frozen shoulder
- Labral tear
- Osteoarthritis
- Rotator cuff tear
- Shoulder arthritis
- Subacromial bursitis
- Tendon issue
Taking good care of yourself means seeing a shoulder specialist when you suspect a problem and taking action sooner rather than later. In doing so, you may be able to avoid further pain or the need for surgery. You may also reduce the risk of having your condition worsen or developing severe problems, for instance, if the damage advances over time and you begin to lose mobility in the affected joint. To discuss your options, schedule an appointment with one of our shoulder doctors by calling (843) 353-3460 or scheduling an appointment online.
When you need the right care, right now for bone, joint, and muscle needs, walk into our orthopedic Urgent Care in Market Common or North Myrtle Beach seven days a week to get immediate help.
At OrthoSC, we believe in partnership between patients and care providers. Our Patient Education Center is designed to provide you with the information you need to be an active participant in your healthcare journey. Our experts have put together convenient online guides for specialty care, surgical care programs, videos, articles, and more to guide you in recovery.
Our World-Class Shoulder Experts
Experience World-Class Shoulder Care at OrthoSC
At OrthoSC, our experts apply their medical knowledge and skills to treating you and your shoulder issue. They are dedicated to providing each patient with specialized orthopedic care and are equipped with the most advanced resources, which allows your doctor to focus exclusively on diagnosing and treating your shoulder pain.
Our specialty-trained shoulder surgeons, Dr. Brian Blair, Dr. J. Clark Butler, Dr. Thomas Chambers, Dr. Nathaniel Evans, Dr. J. Christopher Gayton, Dr. Max Gehrman, Dr. James Merritt, Dr. Edward Mikol, Dr. Andrew Putman, and Dr. Todd Tupis, are highly skilled in their respected field of evaluating and treating shoulder injuries and conditions. A core component of their care is ensuring that every patient is educated about the pain-relieving treatment options that are available to them. Our doctors also consult with their patients, offering suggestions, listening to questions, and helping them decide which course to take. Finally, be assured that our shoulder surgeons are committed to pursuing nonsurgical options first, such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, or injections. At the same time, our surgeons will recommend surgery if they believe that is the best option to restore proper function. Regardless of the treatment you ultimately receive for your shoulder pain, our doctors will make sure to educate you about your condition, treatment options, and what you can expect afterward.
Having questions or concerns about your shoulder issue is normal. Schedule an appointment with one of our experienced shoulder surgeons by scheduling an appointment online or by calling one of our convenient locations in Conway, Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach – Carolina Forest, Myrtle Beach – Market Common, or North Myrtle Beach at (843) 353-3460. We’re ready to help restore you to better health.