Texas Hill Country Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, P.A.
813 S Milam St
Fredericksburg, TX 78624
To Schedule An Appointment
Call 830-997-4043
Expert Shoulder Care
Shoulder Replacement
Anatomic/Reverse
The surgeons at Texas Hill Country Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine were the pioneers of shoulder surgery for the Texas Hill Country. We have the expertise and experience to tackle any and all types of shoulder pathology.
As we age, some people start to develop wearing of their shoulder joint referred to as degenerative joint disease or arthritis. This problem can contribute to both pain in the shoulder and loss of function. Arthritis can develop from wear-and-tear of the joint over time, or as a result of a rotator cuff tear that is untreated. As with other types of arthritis, our first priority is to relieve your pain and improve your function non-operatively. This usually involves using anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, and different types of injections. If this does not improve function or pain, then the patient my choose a shoulder replacement procedure designed to eliminate the pain caused by the worn out joint. If the joint has worn out from normal wear-and-tear, an anatomic total shoulder replacement may be a good option to help relieve pain and restore function. If the rotator cuff is torn and the patient’s activity level is appropriate, we can perform a reverse total shoulder replacement which is designed to eliminate the need for a rotator cuff and allow the shoulder to function off of the other muscles around the shoulder. Many patients who are unable to lift their arm because of a rotator cuff tear are able to regain function and maintain their independence after this procedure.
Shoulder Arthroscopy
Shoulder injuries are one of the most common reasons to seek out orthopedic care. The shoulder is a complex joint, and can involve fractures of bone or soft tissue injury. Younger patients with traumatic injuries can often injure the stabilizing structures, such as the ligaments, and labrum. As we mature, soft tissue pathology tends to involve the rotator cuff, and the bursa.
Rotator Cuff Tear
The rotator cuff is 4 muscles that live on the shoulder blade, and extend out towards the shoulder to stabilize the ball-and-socket joint. Often, a rotator cuff tear is the result of a fall or dislocation, however patients can develop slow degenerative tears that slowly worsen over time. Like the rest of the body, all of the structures can be injured at different levels of severity, and require multiple different treatments. The first step is to start with a physical examination and history from the patient, to determine the appropriate course of treatment. Our team is ready to help you with your shoulder problem!
Labrum Tear
The labrum is a ring of cartilage in your shoulder that helps make the shoulder socket deeper. It also helps hold the shoulder joint in place by connecting to ligaments and one of the tendons in your biceps muscle.
When the labrum tears, it can cause deep pain in your shoulder, especially when moving your arm. It can also make your shoulder feel loose or unstable and sometimes cause it to pop out of place.
Labrum tears can happen in different ways. Some happen when a person dislocates their shoulder. Others, especially tears near the biceps tendon, can happen in athletes from repeated stress on the shoulder. Labrum tears can also develop over time because of normal wear and tear or arthritis.
Not all labrum tears need surgery. However, if the tear causes ongoing pain or makes the shoulder unstable, surgery may help fix the problem and improve how the shoulder works. Our team has specialized training to be able to help you with all of your shoulder problems!
