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Shoulder Conditions

There are many conditions that affect shoulder. Some problems develop chronically over time, while others occur as a result of an injury or accident. Dr. Bushnell has advanced training in the evaluation and management of both common and complex problems in the shoulder.

Shoulder Fractures

Fractures of the shoulder are an increasingly common problem, especially in older patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis – conditions which result in weakened bones. Sometimes these fractures will heal on their own without any intervention, but sometimes the fracture is bad enough to warrant fixation or replacement. Dr. Bushnell has extensive experience in shoulder fracture management, and he has presented numerous lectures about shoulder fractures at the national level.

For additional information about shoulder fractures, please visit:

Shoulder Fractures and Dislocations
Common Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder Blade Fractures

Frozen Shoulder

Also known as adhesive capsulitis, a “frozen shoulder” is an inflammatory condition in which the lining of the shoulder joint becomes so irritated and contracted that the shoulder has very limited range of motion. What little motion remains can be very painful. Frozen shoulder can develop rapidly, or it can have a more gradual onset over time. Usually, anti-inflammatory medications, a shoulder injection, and physical therapy will result in an improvement in pain and range of motion. Sometimes, however, a manipulation under anesthesia, or a forced moving of the joint, may be needed. In some cases, an arthroscopic lysis of adhesions, or surgical cleanout of the scar tissue, is required.

For more information about frozen shoulder, please visit:

Shoulder Arthroscopy
Shoulder Surgery

Rotator Cuff Tear

The rotator cuff is perhaps the most frequently injured tendon in the entire body. It is actually a collection of four tendons that help rotate and elevate the shoulder joint. Because the rotator cuff lies directly beneath the bone of the shoulder blade, it can rub against the bone and become inflamed – a condition known as impingement. Impingement can be made worse in the presence of bone spurs on the shoulder blade. The inflammation and mechanical stress can sometimes progress to gradual breakdown and tearing of the rotator cuff. While these chronic tears can often be successfully treated with injections, medications, or physical therapy, they do sometimes require surgery. The rotator cuff can also suffer an acute tear, in which the tendon is ripped off of the bone due to an injury. Acute Tears usually require surgical repair.

For more information about Rotator Cuff Tears, please visit:

Rotator Cuff Tears
Rotator Cuff Tears – FAQ
Rotator Cuff Surgical Treatment Options
Regenten Bioinductive Implant 

Shoulder Dislocation

A shoulder “dislocation” is when the ball (the humerus ) comes completely out of the socket (the glenoid). This is an emergency condition that must be treated immediately by putting the ball back in the socket. Sometimes this can be done by a first-responder or a paramedic, or even the patient. More often, however, the shoulder must be put back in place in an emergency room under sedation. After a shoulder dislocation, the patient may have shoulder instability, or recurrent full or partial dislocations. This is usually due to tearing of the labrum, or the “o-ring” around the socket – a condition that is often treated with surgery. Dr. Bushnell has advanced training in arthroscopic repair of the shoulder labrum.

For more information about shoulder dislocation, please visit:

Shoulder Dislocation
Shoulder Arthroscopy
Shoulder Surgery
Labrum Tear

Shoulder Labrum Tear

The labrum of the shoulder is a rubbery cartilage “o-ring” that goes all the way around the socket, or the glenoid. The labrum can be torn in various ways, including repetitive throwing as well as in shoulder dislocations. Sometimes the biceps tendon is also torn along with the labrum. You may hear the labrum tear called a “SLAP Tear” or a “Bankart Tear,” which involve different areas of the labrum. A tear of the labrum usually requires surgery to repair it. Surgery is usually done arthroscopically, and Dr. Bushnell has advanced training in arthroscopic shoulder surgery, as well as extensive experience in research and presentation on this topic at the highest levels.

For more information about shoulder labrum tears, please visit:

Labrum Tear
SLAP Tear
Shoulder Injuries in the Throwing Athlete

Biceps Tendon Tear

The biceps tendon can tear at its insertion in the shoulder. Many times, this injury is also associated with a tear of the rotator cuff – since the two tendons are right next to each other in the shoulder. While a biceps tendon tear rarely needs surgery to fix it, a traumatic tear of the rotator cuff usually does need surgical treatment. The biceps tendon can also tear at its insertion at the elbow, and this problem usually needs surgical fixation.  Any injury of the biceps tendon at the shoulder or the elbow should be evaluated thoroughly by a specialist such as Dr. Bushnell.

For more information about biceps tendon tears, please visit:

Biceps Tendon Tear (Shoulder)
Biceps Tendon Tear (Elbow)

Shoulder Separation

A shoulder “separation” is when the collar bone (the clavicle) is completely torn away from its normal position next to the top of the shoulder blade (the acromion). The degree of separation is variable, and less severe cases usually only need medication. More significant separations, however, usually require surgical reconstruction. Many techniques exist for reconstruction of a separated shoulder, and Dr. Bushnell can discuss all of these options with you.

For more information about shoulder separation, please visit:

Shoulder Separation
Shoulder Arthroscopy
Shoulder Surgery

Shoulder Arthritis

Arthritis is inflammation and breakdown of the joints. There are several forms of arthritis. The most common is osteoarthritis or “wear and tear,” as well as other forms such as rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis. In the shoulder, arthritis can be very painful and can dramatically affect a person’s ability to sleep, do activities of everyday living, and engage in work or recreational activities. In many cases, the pain of shoulder arthritis can be managed with anti-inflammatory medications, exercises, and injections. In some cases, an arthroscopic debridement or “clean out” may be needed. In more advanced cases, however, a shoulder replacement may be required to obtain definitive improvements in pain relief, motion, strength, and function. Dr. Bushnell has extensive experience in shoulder replacement surgery with a history of excellent outcomes.

For more information about specific shoulder conditions, please visit the following topics:

Arthritis and Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Shoulder Arthroscopy
Shoulder Surgery
Shoulder Replacement

Shoulder Tendinitis

There are several tendons in the shoulder, and any of them can become inflamed – a condition known as tendinitis. The severity of tendinitis can range from annoying to crippling. Usually, anti-inflammatory medication, rest, ice, and activity modification will improve the symptoms of tendinitis. In resistant cases, an injection near the tendon will usually fix the problem. Surgery is rarely required. For more information about shoulder tendinitis, please visit:

Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
Shoulder Injuries in the Throwing Athlete

Shoulder Impingement

One of the most common conditions affecting the shoulder is subacromical impingement. The rotator cuff rubs up against the undersurface of the acromion, or the shoulder blade, and can become very inflamed. As this condition progresses, the rotator cuff can become frayed or partially torn. Bone spurs or osteophytes can form on the shoulder blade, which make this condition worse. In some cases, an arthroscopic decompression, or “clean out” may be needed. In most cases, however, Dr. Bushnell is able to treat impingement successfully with medication, injections, and physical therapy.

For more information about shoulder impingement, please visit:

Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder Injuries in the Throwing Athlete
Shoulder Arthroscopy
Shoulder Surgery

Shoulder Instability

The shoulder ball (humerus) can sometimes be unstable in the socket (glenoid). This instability can be due to a previous injury or to having loose ligaments. The shoulder may feel like it is “slipping out of place” slightly, or it may actually come all the way out of place and require a procedure to put it back in place. This condition of instability can be very debilitating, as patients often never know when their next “slip” may occur. Dr. Bushnell has specialized training in shoulder arthroscopy with labral repair – the surgical method of restoring the stability of your shoulder. He has even done research and presentations on the international level regarding this topic.

For more information about shoulder instability, please visit:

Shoulder Instability
Labrum Tear