Shoulder Conditions

Rotator Cuff Repair

Many patients have shoulder pain due to a tear in the group of muscles (the rotator cuff) which help to control the shoulder. These tears can lead to significant discomfort and disability. Dr. Master has learned minimally invasive techniques to identify and repair these tears utilizing shoulder arthroscopy (looking inside the shoulder joint with a small camera). The benefit of this technique is that patients may have less pain with a minimally invasive repair technique than with a formal open technique.

Shoulder and Arm Fracture Treatment

When patients fall onto their shoulder or arm, they may break their upper arm bone (the humerus). Some of these injuries can be managed successfully without surgery; however, more difficult fractures often require formal open surgery. Dr. Master has learned a variety of techniques to realign the broken pieces of bone in the shoulder and arm and hold them in place with special screws and plates (open reduction and internal fixation). The benefit of this technique is that it ensures that the bone heals in the correct position, and it often allows patients to begin moving their arm earlier than without surgery.

Shoulder Hemiarthroplasty (Half of a Shoulder Replacement)

For older patients with very severe shoulder fractures, it may not be possible to repair the broken bone. In these cases, Dr. Master has gained experience in replacing a portion of the upper arm bone (the humeral head). This technique is a form of joint replacement where half of the shoulder joint is replaced by a metal component. The portion of the upper arm bone which is severely broken and cannot be fixed is removed and replaced with a metal component. The benefit of this technique is that it can alleviate the pain caused by the injury and may allow the patient to begin moving their arm sooner than without the surgery.

Total Shoulder Replacement (Full Shoulder Replacement)

Older patients often develop pain in their shoulders slowly over time due to the development of arthritis. Arthritis leads to a breakdown in the smooth covering on the inside of the shoulder joint. As a result, the shoulder joint stops functioning properly and becomes very painful. Dr. Master has learned several techniques to treat shoulder joint arthritis with joint replacement. The benefit of this technique is that it removes the diseased bone and cartilage in the shoulder and often eliminates the pain associated with arthritis.