March 18 2026
The shoulder is one of the most remarkable joints in the human body. It offers a greater range of motion than any other joint, allowing you to pitch a baseball, reach for a the top shelf, or simply wave hello. However, this incredible flexibility comes at a cost: stability. Because the shoulder moves in so many directions, it is susceptible to injury, instability, and wear over time.
Whether you are a weekend warrior, a dedicated athlete, or someone who simply enjoys an active job, shoulder pain can be a major disruption. It changes how you sleep, how you work, and how you play. At Sagewell Orthopaedics, we believe that understanding your injury is the first step toward overcoming it.
We explore common shoulder issues, how Dr. Scott Strasburger and our team diagnose them, and the spectrum of treatment options designed to help you return to the lifestyle you love:
The Usual Suspects: Common Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder pain often feels like a vague ache, but the underlying causes are usually quite specific. The shoulder is a complex interplay of bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. When one part of this system is compromised, the whole joint suffers.
Rotator Cuff Tears
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, keeping the head of your upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder. Tears here are common, especially as we age. They can occur suddenly from a fall or lifting something heavy, but more often, they develop slowly due to repetitive stress. A tear can make it difficult to comb your hair or reach behind your back, and night pain is a frequent complaint.
Shoulder Impingement
Impingement occurs when the top of the shoulder blade (acromion) puts pressure on the underlying soft tissues when you lift your arm away from your body. As the arm is lifted, the acromion rubs, or "impinges" on, the rotator cuff tendons and bursa. This can lead to bursitis and tendinitis, causing pain and limiting movement.
Osteoarthritis
While often associated with knees and hips, arthritis also affects the shoulder. This "wear and tear" condition occurs when the smooth cartilage that covers the ends of the bones wears away. As the bones rub against each other, the shoulder becomes stiff and painful. You might notice a grinding sensation or a loss of range of motion over time.
Instability and Dislocation
Because the shoulder socket is shallow, the ball of the upper arm can slip out partially (subluxation) or completely (dislocation). This is common in younger athletes but can happen to anyone. Once a shoulder has dislocated, the ligaments may remain loose, leading to chronic instability and a feeling that the shoulder might "pop out" again.
The Path to Diagnosis: Where Wisdom Meets Wellness
Diagnosing a shoulder injury requires more than just looking at an X-ray. It requires a comprehensive understanding of your history, your daily activities, and your goals. At Sagewell Orthopaedics, our diagnostic process is thorough and patient-centered.
The Physical Evaluation
Dr. Scott Strasburger begins with a detailed physical examination. This is often the most critical part of the diagnosis. By moving your arm in specific ways, checking for tenderness, and assessing your strength and range of motion, we can often pinpoint which specific tendon or ligament is causing the issue. We listen to your story; when the pain started, what makes it worse, and what it stops you from doing.
Advanced Imaging
To confirm a diagnosis and see the extent of the damage, imaging is often necessary.
- X-rays: These are excellent for showing bone spurs, arthritis, and the alignment of the joint.
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): This is often the gold standard for soft tissue injuries. An MRI allows us to see the rotator cuff tendons, ligaments, and cartilage in great detail, helping us determine if a tear is partial or complete.
The Treatment Spectrum: Options tailored to You
Once we have a clear diagnosis, we build a treatment plan. Our philosophy is to start with the least invasive options that are likely to be effective. Many shoulder conditions improve significantly without surgery.
Non-Surgical Therapies
For many patients, the road to recovery begins with conservative care.
- Physical Therapy: This is often the cornerstone of shoulder treatment. Strengthening the muscles around the shoulder blade and rotator cuff can help stabilize the joint and reduce pressure on injured tendons.
- Activity Modification: Sometimes, the shoulder simply needs a break from the specific motion causing the irritation. We work with you to modify your routine to allow for healing.
- Anti-Inflammatory Medication: Over-the-counter medications may help manage pain and inflammation during the initial recovery phase.
- Injections: Corticosteroid injections can provide powerful, temporary relief from inflammation, allowing you to participate more fully in physical therapy. In some cases, we may also discuss biological options like PRP therapy to support tissue health.
Advanced Surgical Solutions
If conservative measures do not provide relief, or if the injury, such as a large acute tear, requires it, surgery may be the best path forward. Dr. Strasburger utilizes advanced techniques designed to minimize trauma and speed recovery.
- Arthroscopy: Many shoulder surgeries, including rotator cuff repairs and labral repairs, can be performed arthroscopically. This involves using a small camera and tiny instruments inserted through small incisions. This minimally invasive approach may lead to less pain and faster healing compared to open surgery.
- Shoulder Replacement: For severe arthritis where the cartilage is worn away, shoulder replacement can be life-changing. This may involve replacing just the ball (hemiarthroplasty) or both the ball and socket (total shoulder arthroplasty).
- Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement: In cases where the rotator cuff is also torn and cannot be fixed, a reverse total shoulder replacement may be recommended. This unique implant relies on the deltoid muscle, rather than the rotator cuff, to power the arm, allowing patients to regain function they thought was lost.
Recovery: Boosting Your Active Lifestyle
Surgery or treatment is just the beginning. The true work and reward come during recovery. Recovery timelines vary widely depending on the injury and the treatment. A minor sprain might need a few weeks of rest, while a rotator cuff repair or replacement will require several months of dedicated rehabilitation.
We work closely with you to set realistic goals. Whether your aim is to throw a baseball again, swim laps, or simply sleep through the night without pain, your recovery plan is designed with those goals in mind. We emphasize:
- Early Motion: Getting the joint moving safely to prevent stiffness.
- Progressive Strengthening: Slowly building back muscle to support the joint.
- Functional Training: Retraining the shoulder for the specific movements you do in your daily life or sport.
Don't Shrug Off Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain has a way of shrinking your world. You stop reaching for things, you stop playing the sports you love, and you compromise your quality of life. But you don't have to accept pain as a new normal.
Modern orthopaedic care offers a wide range of solutions, and early diagnosis often leads to simpler, more effective treatments. Dr. Scott Strasburger and the team at Sagewell Orthopaedics are here to help you navigate your options with expertise and compassion.
If your shoulder is holding you back, let’s find out why and fix it.
Schedule a consultation to learn more about shoulder care and start your journey back to an active lifestyle.
