Expert Orthopedic Surgery with Dr. Wiemann

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Each year, millions of people of all ages go to the doctor for shoulder problems, including inflammation, sprains and strains, arthritis, impingement, and fractures. 

Shoulder injuries are frequently caused by athletic activities that involve excessive, repetitive, overhead motion, such as swimming, tennis, pitching, and weightlifting. Injuries can also occur during everyday household activities such washing walls, hanging curtains, and gardening.

Most problems in the shoulder involve the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, rather than the bones. Sometimes, a person will suffer a fracture, or break, of the humerus (arm bone) or glenoid (shoulder socket) that involves the bones of the shoulder.

Athletes are especially at risk for shoulder problems. In athletes, shoulder problems can develop slowly through repetitive and intensive training routines that put stress on the various soft tissue structures (ligaments, tendons, and muscles) of the shoulder.

In general, a good rule to follow is that any discomfort that does not improve with a period of rest, icing, and anti-inflammatory medications may be a sign of a more serious injury.

The shoulder joint is a ball-on-socket joint. It can become unstable if the ball wants to fall off the socket due to being "loose-jointed" or an injury to the shoulder. This condition is called instability, and it can result in a dislocation of one of the joints in the shoulder. People with instability may experience pain with moving their arm or avoid motions that make the shoulder feel like it wants to slip out of place.  Dislocations often cause labral injuries that should be repaired. 

Impingement is caused by excessive rubbing of the shoulder muscles against the parts of the shoulder blade called the acromion and coracoid. 

Impingement problems can occur during activities that require excessive overhead arm motion. Seek medical care immediately for inflammation in the shoulder because it could eventually lead to a more serious injury. Repetitive rubbing of the muscles against the bone can lead to tendinitis, which is a form of inflammation, and even possibly lead to tears that may require surgery in the future. 

The rotator cuff is one of the most important components of the shoulder. It is made up of a group of muscles and tendons that hold the bones of the shoulder joint together. The rotator cuff muscles provide you with the ability to lift your arm and reach overhead.

A rotator cuff injury may occur from a direct trauma or from wear and tear over time, as it is a normal part of aging.

When the rotator cuff is injured, people sometimes do not recover the full shoulder function needed to properly participate in an athletic activity. They may also have pain, loss of motion, or weakness that do not improve with non-surgical treatments. 

Dr. Wiemann is an expert in the arthroscopic treatment of shoulder injuries.  This involves inserting a small camera into the joint as well as several tools to be able to fix the shoulder.  Of of the most common conditions he treats is a tear of the shoulder labrum (the structure that keeps the shoulder in place).  When this causes recurrent instability, surgery is often required.  Dr. Wiemann works with each patient to develop a personalized plan for their treatment.