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Related News Articles

Effect of Workers' Compensation on Outcome of Rotator Cuff Repair

Patients Respond Well to Either Surgical or Conservative Treatment of Shoulder Nerve Compression Syndrome

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Training For Sports Climbing

Unique Features of Anterosuperior Rotator Cuff Tears

Treatment of Massive Rotator Cuff Tears

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A Review of Weight-Lifter's Shoulder

Rotator Cuff Repair in Older Athletes

Treating Rotator Cuff Tears in a Stiff Shoulder

Three Tests for Diagnosing Complete Rupture of the Rotator Cuff

Treatment for SLAP Injuries Depends on Diagnostic Accuracy

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When to Use Cortisone Injections in the Shoulder

Return To Pitching After Shoulder Surgery Not As Good As Expected

Using Quality of Life to Measure Results of Rotator Cuff Repair

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Key Difference Between Open Versus Arthroscopic Shoulder Stabilization

Rehab Program After Humeral Resurfacing Hemiarthroplasty

Comparing Suture Techniques in Repairs of the Rotator Cuff

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Upper Arm Fracture After Shoulder Replacement

Treatment of Posterior Shoulder Instability Remains a Challenge

New Cause of Shoulder Pain in Overhead Throwing Athletes

When To Use Corticosteroid Injections for the Shoulder

Testing for SLAP Lesions of the Shoulder

Shoulder Surgery For Patients Over Age 50

Glenohumeral Arthrodesis May Benefit Patients After Failed Prosthetic Shoulder Arthroplasty

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Delayed Union of a Scapular Fracture in an Adoloscent

Arthroscopy for Acute Shoulder Dislocation

Position of Greater Tuberosity Important After Shoulder Fracture

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Easy Arthroscopic Access to the Shoulder Labrum

Faster and Better Recovery of Muscle Strength After Bankart Repair

New Classification for Rare But Serious Shoulder Injury

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Who Should Have Surgery to Prevent Shoulder Re-Dislocation?

Surgery for Subscapularis Tear Should Include Biceps Tendon Repair

The Value of MRI in Diagnosing Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Reverse Shoulder Prosthesis May Be Good for Several Shoulder Injuries

Update on the Treatment of AC Shoulder Separations

Three Surgical Methods Compared for Rotator Cuff Tears

Scapular Dyskinesia in Athletes

Large Rotator Cuff Tears Can Lead to Arthropathy

Results of Double-Row Rotator Cuff Repair

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Shoulder Injuries Caused By Force and Stress

New X-ray Technique for Disabled Patients

Current Management of Type III AC Separation

Biology of Frozen Shoulder

Factors Affecting Surgery for Rotator Cuff Tear

Most Reliable Method to Classify Rotator Cuff Tears

Problems Reported After Electrothermal Shoulder Stabilization

Report of Results After Compaction Bone-Grafting in Shoulder Replacements

Little Benefit of Steroid Injection for Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

Laxity Testing of the Shoulder

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Diagnosing Shoulder Problems with MRI

Surgical Treatment of SLAP Lesions

Open or Arthroscopic Stabilization of the Shoulder: Does It Matter?

Nerve Injuries From Heavy Backpacks in Soldiers

Review of Treatment for Rotator Cuff Tears

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Review of Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears

Predicting Size of Subscapularis Tears

Details on the New Reverse Shoulder Prosthesis

When the Shoulder Problem Isn't in the Shoulder

Arthroscopic Treatment of Septic Arthritis of the Shoulder

Tests to Measure Shoulder Function

Review of Rare Floating Shoulder Injury

Benefit of Thermal Capsulorrhaphy for Shoulder Questioned

Shoulder Instability: Incorrect, Delayed, and Missed Diagnoses

Results of Shoulder Replacement Revision Operations

The Milch Method of Easy Shoulder Reduction

Value of Three Tests for Shoulder Instability

Advances in Shoulder Arthroscopy

Results From Bankart Repair of Shoulder

Predicting Rotator Cuff Tears

Long-Term Results of Shoulder Surgery

Results of Arthroscopic Bankart Repair for Shoulder Dislocation

Two Surgical Methods of Acromioclavicular Resection Compared

Shoulder Problems in Overhead Throwing Athletes

Rare Case of Voluntary Poterior Shoulder Dislocation Followed By Trauma

More Men At Risk for Pectoralis Major Ruptures

Healing of Rotator Cuff Reruptures is Possible

Review of Humeral Shaft Fractures with Radial Nerve Injury

Labral Tears of the Shoulder Are Not Age Dependent

Surgeons Give Thumbs Down to Treatment for Massive Rotator Cuff Tears

Review of Total Shoulder Replacements

Shoulder Fusion: When and How It's Used

Rare But Dangerous Collar Bone Dislocation

Pain Location Does Not Help Identify Rotator Cuff Tears

Results of Treatment for Isolated SLAP II Injury

Changes in Shoulder Rotation for Elite Baseball Pitchers

Ultrasound Used to Review Results of Shoulder Surgery

Review of the Shoulder: Evaluation and Diagnosis

Doctors Review Use of Anchors and Tacks

Shoulder Capsule Tears on First Dislocation

What's New in Shoulder Surgery? Review of New Sutures

Four Methods of Rotator Cuff Tear Repair Compared

Surgeons Test New Method to Repair Torn AC Joint

Optimal Fixation Method for Rotator Cuff Repair

MRI or MRA? Which is Better For Assessing Rotator Cuff Tears?

New Activity Scale for Shoulder

Which is Better for the Patient: Partial or Total Shoulder Replacement?

Shoulder Surgery: Cost Comparison Between Open and Closed Method

New Way to Treat Bone Spurs

Long-Term Results of Mini-Open Method of Rotator Cuff Repair

Analysis of Data Favors Total Shoulder Over Partial Replacement

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Surgery for Shoulder Dislocation: It's not an Open and Closed Case

Acupuncture or Ultrasound: Which Works Better for Shoulder Impingement?

Sounds like a Rotator Cuff Tear

Nitroglycerine Helps Heal Shoulder Tendons

Case Closed for Open Rotator Cuff Repair?

Weight Gain after Shoulder Surgery

Skip the Shrink Wrap Treatment for Shoulder Instability

The Problematic Sternoclavicular Joint

Results of Arthroscopic Repair for SLAP Injury in Overhead Athletes

Four Cases of Rare Rotator Cuff Tear in Adolescents

Selecting Tests to Diagnose Shoulder Pain

No Holes Barred with New Anchor for Shoulder Surgery

Volume Weighs Heavily on Results of Total Shoulder Replacements

To Slouch or Not to Slouch

Results of Shoulder Surgery for High-Risk Athletes

Hand Injury and Shoulder Weakness: Connecting the Dots

Mayo Clinic Releases Results of Rotator Cuff Repair in Younger Patients

Research Cools Use of Thermal Heat Treatment for Shoulder Instability

Rapid Return to Sports after Shoulder Dislocation without Surgery

A New Look at Shoulder Pain in Overhand Athletes

Looking for Clues to Results of Shoulder Treatment

Trail of Treatment for Frozen Shoulder

Case Series Offers Insights into Rotator Cuff Repair

Shoulder Replacement Improves Function and Comfort

Choosing Exercises to Fit the Sport

Mapping Stress Points in Injured Shoulders

The Form and Function of the Serratus Anterior Muscle

Five Cases of Misplaced Screws

The Heat Is on Ultrasound for Shoulder Problems

Choosing between Ultrasound and MRI to Find a Torn Rotator Cuff

Obesity and Rotator Cuff Problems

Testing the Tests for Shoulder Pain Caused by the AC Joint

Rare Shoulder Fracture in 15-Year-Old Pitcher

Doctors Put Shoulder Tests to the Test

Translating a Stuck Shoulder into One That Moves

Loose Shoulders with Injury on the Inside

The More the Better When It Comes to Shoulder Arthroplasty

Push-up Exercises Keep Patients From "Winging It"

Joint Position Sense Regained after Shoulder Surgery

The Negative Impact of Comorbidities on Shoulder Pain

It Sounds Like a Torn Shoulder Tendon

Looking at Results after Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

Shrinking Long-Term Results after Thermal Shrinkage

Shrink-to-Fit Shoulder Surgery Isn't for Everyone

The Reality of Shoulder Dislocations in Children and Teens

What to Make of Abnormal MRI Findings in Overhead Athletes' Shoulders

Help for Shoulders in a Pinch

Comparing Treatments for Calcium Deposits in Shoulder Tendons

Should a Sling Be Used after Shoulder Surgery?

Expert Advice on Partial Rotator Cuff Tears

Results of Shoulder Joint Replacement in Young Adults

Adhesive Capsulitis, a Half Century Later

Scoping Out the Results of Large Rotator Cuff Tears

Shoulder Replacement after Dislocation

Surgical Solution to Snapping Scapula

Taking a Closer Look at Repairing Large Rotator Cuff Tears

Technical Study for Improving Shoulder Surgery

Predicting Results of Hemiarthroplasty after Shoulder Fracture

Shocking the Shoulder Back to Health

Shoulder Muscle Imbalance: Cause or Consequence of Impingement?

The Deltoid Muscle: A Mover and a Stabilizer

Shockingly Good Results for Calcific Tendonitis of the Shoulder

Getting the Shoulder Blade Back on Track

Working Hard to Compare the Results of Acromioplasty

Difficulties in Studying Rotator Cuff Tears

Shoulder Instability after Shoulder Joint Replacement

Considerations for Shoulder Joint Replacement after Shoulder Joint Infection

Patients Find Satisfaction in Surgical Breakthroughs for the Rotator Cuff

Arthroscopic Release of Frozen Shoulder: Don't Shrug It Off

Shoulder Joint Replacement with a "Swivel"

Seeing the Full Scope and Benefits of Shoulder Arthroscopy

The Best Way to Exercise the Shoulder--Hands Down!

Shoulder Status Matters before Joint Replacement

Shouldering the Complexities of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Blaming the Shoulder Blade for Shoulder Pain

Shrink to Fit Shoulders are Not for Everyone

Double-Bladed Exercises for the Shoulder

Narrowing the Options for Shoulder Impingement Surgery Enlarges the Results

Minimizing Shoulder Incisions to Maximize Results

Problems That May Surround a New Shoulder Joint

Putting a Dislocated Shoulder Back in Place--The Easy Way

Fore . . . a Better Golf Swing

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Seeking Thorough Choices for Partial Rotator Cuff Tears

Making Sense of Thermal Surgery for Injured Shoulders

Locating Best Treatments for Shoulder Dislocation

Open or Closed Case of Shoulder Repair?

Dis 'n Dat Treatment for Dislocated Shoulders

Having a Ball and Socket after Getting a New Shoulder Joint

Shoulder Motion in 3-D

Tennis in the Middle Ages

Surgery Advised for First-Time Shoulder Dislocation

Melting the Factors That Slow Recovery from Frozen Shoulder

Underhanded Results for Overhead Athletes

All the Right Shoulder Moves

Popeye's Torn Biceps Tendon

Shoulder Research Revisited

Volleyball Serves Up a Case of Shoulder Weakness

Tackling Shoulder Instability in Football Players

Rotator Cuff Tears: Should You Operate?

Hottest Techniques in Shoulder Surgery

Treating Minor Rotator Cuff Tears: When Less Is More

Tennis Anyone? Served with or without Pain?

The Incredible Shrinking Shoulder

Want Strong Shoulders? Don't Slouch

Buttoning Up a Torn Rotator Cuff

Inside the Shoulder: A New Look at an Old Problem

Swapping Activities for a Stable Shoulder: The Slippery Slope of Shoulder Dislocation

Nonsurgical Treatment Makes the Grade for Shoulder Separation

New Treatment for Shoulder Cysts: A Case Report

Rotator Cuff Repair--Again

Unusual Muscle Tear in a Recreational Athlete

Pop Goes the Shoulder: Better Treatments for Dislocations

Open Surgery to Stabilize the Shoulder: It's Not a Closed Book

Cadets Salute Arthroscopy for the Treatment of Dislocated Shoulders

Scoping Out Surgery for Torn Rotator Cuff Tendons

Reaching toward Effective Treatments for "Frozen Shoulder"

Will Rotator Cuff Surgery Give You the Cold Shoulder? A Ten-Year Check-Up

Good News for Shoulder Arthroplasty Patients: A Bone Graft May Help

Shoulder Dislocation: Surgery or Sling?

One Plus One Equals Relief of Shoulder Pain

Rotator Cuff Surgery Passes the Test of Time

Rotator Cuff Surgery Not a Handicap for Golfers

A+ Results Long after Rotator Cuff Repair

Putting the Squeeze on the Rotator Cuff

Ultrasound Gaining Acceptance in Diagnosing Shoulder Problems

Honey, I Shrunk the Joint Capsule

FAQs

I am a pitcher in a AA pro baseball league. My coach had me bump up my training schedule to get ready for the upcoming season. Now I'm starting to feel pain and popping in the bottom tip of my shoulder blade, especially when I wind up and start to throw. What could be causing this?

Why do I sometimes feel popping and snapping in my shoulder when I move my arm?

What is snapping scapula syndrome?

I broke my shoulder blade a few years ago. Now I'm starting to feel and hear it thump when I raise my arm. Is my old injury related to this thumping?

My doctor suggested that I see a physical or occupational therapist for my problem with snapping scapula. How can this type of therapy help my problem?

I'm working with a physical therapist to help with my snapping scapula. She's having me do these funky push-ups where I have to hunch my shoulders forward at the end of each one. How does an exercise like this help people with problems from snapping scapula?

I am having part of my shoulder blade removed because of chronic problems with snapping scapula. My doctor said I have to wait at least six to eight weeks afterward before doing any kind of active exercise. This seems like an awfully long time. Why will I have to wait so long?

I am fed up with the popping and grating under my shoulder blade. My doctor diagnosed me with snapping scapula. He wants me to try a couple different treatments to see if I'll get better. But after all I've put up with, shouldn't I just go ahead and have a surgery to fix it?

I injured a nerve to my shoulder blade when my arm was jerked in a waterskiing accident a few months ago. For a while afterwards, my shoulder blade really tilted out. This seems to be better, but now I'm getting a lot of popping and snapping under shoulder blade. Is it from my injury? What can I do to correct the snapping problem?

What's the most likely thing to go wrong with a total shoulder arthroplasty?

Can a bone graft help with total shoulder replacement?

One of my rugby buddies is going to have surgery for a shoulder dislocation. My shoulder has dislocated three times since I first injured it last season. I haven't had surgery and don't even know if I was given the option. Should I have surgery?

While skiing recently, I dislocated my right shoulder. This is the second time in less than a year for this shoulder. I'm in a sling, like last time. If I keep it in the sling longer, will it lessen the chances of this happening a third time?

I recently dislocated my shoulder. I've heard about a new surgery available to fix it. Does that mean I won't need to go through physical therapy? Frankly, I don't have the time.

I am a collegiate baseball pitcher. Since the beginning of baseball season, the vague soreness in my shoulder has become centered in the back part of my shoulder, especially when I wind up to throw. The stiffness in my shoulder used to go away with a good warm up, but now even a warm up doesn't seem to help. What could be wrong with my shoulder? Will my problem just keep getting worse?

In baseball, what kinds of injuries are the most likely to keep players from the game?

The arthrogram for my shoulder showed no tear in the rotator cuff. But when I went for an MRI, it showed a complete tear. Why didn't the arthrogram show the tear?

I've been going to physical therapy for my frozen shoulder. The shoulder hurts a lot and doesn't seem to be improving. What are my options for treatment?

My doctor diagnosed my tight shoulder as "adhesive capsulitis." What is this, and how did it happen?

I hurt my shoulder in a water-skiing accident last summer. It's starting to dislocate more often, even with mild activity. Do I need surgery for this problem?

I have a very large tear in my rotator cuff, and I'm going to have surgery to fix it. Does the size of the tear make a difference in whether the results of surgery will last?

I am 55 and had surgery to repair a tear in my rotator cuff last year. My recovery's been good so far. Can I expect these results to last?

My 60-year-old mother tore her rotator cuff. Now even the simplest activities are hard for her to do. Will surgery decrease her disability?

My 72-year-old mother fell. Now she needs an operation to repair a torn rotator cuff. What can we expect after the operation?

I recently fell and hurt my shoulder. The doctor told me that I have a rotator cuff tear. What is the rotator cuff, and what part is usually torn?

I am going to have an operation to repair the torn rotator cuff tendon in my shoulder. What can go wrong with this kind of surgery?

I read an article in a sports magazine that gave some safety guidelines for young pitchers. How can I get my 12-year-old son's baseball coach to use some of these?

My 10-year-old daughter is pitching for her Little League team. What can she do to prevent an injury from using her arm too much?

I've been diagnosed with a ganglion cyst on the nerve above my shoulder blade. My shoulder is painful, but I'd prefer not to have surgery. Are there any other treatment options?

I've played tennis for years. Lately, I've had pain in my shoulder when I serve. What could be causing this?

I have a frozen shoulder. My doctor says arthroscopic surgery can give me more movement in the shoulder. But surgery's the thing that made it stiff in the first place. Can I expect good results from this procedure?

I've heard that a frozen shoulder can be released arthroscopically, without making big incisions in the skin. What kind of benefits can I expect from this treatment? Do the benefits depend on the reason the stiffness started in the first place?

I have a frozen shoulder. I've tried physical therapy. My doctor's even tried to manipulate the shoulder while I was asleep under anesthesia. Nothing's worked. What's next?

I've had two months of physical therapy for my frozen shoulder. I'm still in a lot of pain, and it doesn't seem like the movement is improving. Will the problem go away by itself if I just stop treatment altogether?

I dislocated my shoulder playing football last week. I'm 18 and have my whole sports career ahead of me. What are the chances I'll dislocate my shoulder again?

I'm just getting over a dislocated shoulder. What can I do to prevent this kind of injury from happening again?

I dislocated my shoulder. Should I have surgery?

My doctor says the pain in my shoulder is from a cyst pressing on the a nerve over the shoulder blade. How is this treated?

I've had a few shoulder injuries from sports. Now my doctor says I need surgery to stabilize my shoulder. I don't want to wind up with a stiff shoulder. What type of surgery's best for me?

I've dislocated my shoulder a couple of times. My doctor wants me to try surgery. He says I can choose between regular open surgery and an arthroscopic kind of surgery. Which works better?

My doctor repaired the rotator cuff tendon in my shoulder 10 years ago. Now I've started losing motion in that shoulder, and it is very painful. I can still lift my arm over my head, but I am worried about having another surgery. What should I do?

After carrying my 20-pound baby over my arm, I started having terrible shoulder pain. The doctor thinks I may have rubbed the tendon of my rotator cuff against the bone enough to tear the tendon. What is the rotator cuff, and what does it do?

At 69 years old, I'm in relatively good health. But ever since I was in my mid-40s, I have noticed increased joint stiffness, and now I can't lift my arms fully over my head. Is this normal? What's preventing me from having full motion?

I started a weight-lifting program at home two weeks ago. When I increased to 20 pounds for shoulder movements, I felt a pop in my left shoulder. There was a twinge of pain at the time, and the next day I had extreme shoulder pain. I went to see the doctor, and she said I tore the supraspinatus tendon. There were no X-rays or other tests done. Shouldn't I have X-rays or MRI?

I am a 50-year-old male in pretty good shape. I would like to start a weight-training program at home. About five years ago, I had a motorcycle accident and hurt my shoulder. No treatment was necessary, and I gradually got better. I still have some shoulder pain off and on, but it doesn't keep me from doing what I want to do. Should I have some kind of formal testing done on my shoulder before starting with weights? I don't want to wind up with an injury.

I tore one of the rotator cuff tendons in my left shoulder six months ago. I faithfully went to physical therapy and did my exercise program for the first two months. Once the pain was gone and I could move the arm freely, I stopped doing the exercises. Is it safe now to sign up for tennis lessons?

I am on my high-school swim team. I have been swimming competitively since I was eight years old. Last season, I started to get shoulder pain doing freestyle. The pain is the worst when my hand goes into the water. Is there any kind of stretching or exercise program I can do for this?

My shoulder hurts when I lift my arm to fix my hair in the morning. After trying anti-inflammatories with no improvement, I had an MRI. This didn't show anything. Now my doctor is recommending surgery to look inside the joint. If the MRI is negative, is there any point in going any further?

I am 35 years old, an avid golfer, and unable to golf because of shoulder pain. The pain came on gradually over the last month. It gets really bad when I reach my arm forward in front of my face, and it's especially bothersome at night. What could be causing this?

I recently had a rotator cuff repair done with a button anchor. Now I am in a rehabilitation program, and I'm worried the device will break or come unbuttoned. What are the chances of this happening?

I am having surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in my shoulder. The doctor has described using an anchor to "button down" the torn tendon. How does this work?

My 16-year-old daughter separated her shoulder playing volleyball. She was treated with a sling, ice, and gentle movement until the pain went away. Now she has full motion without pain, but there is an ugly bump on her collarbone. She is a model for the local mall and wants to have this bump removed. Will this affect her shoulder motion?

My teenage son separated his shoulder in a football game. The doctor has advised surgery. The doctor explained that my son could get better on his own without surgery, but there is no way to decide this ahead of time. What could happen if my son doesn't have surgery?

I recently separated my shoulder in a car accident. Can you explain what exactly this means?

I dislocated my shoulder some time ago. I went to physical therapy for rehab, but now I have been discharged. I notice that when my arm is at my side and my elbow is bent, I can move my hand away from my body much further on the injured side compared to the other side. Why is this?

Is there a certain age when the risk of shoulder dislocation is the highest?

How often do people dislocate their shoulders more than once?

I had surgery for a shoulder problem last month. I was in and out of the hospital the same day. Even though I was feeling fine, the nursing staff wouldn't let me go home until I had met certain goals. Wasn't this a waste of time and money?

Before having shoulder surgery next week, I met with the nursing staff at the hospital. They carefully explained all of the steps before, during, and after surgery. They mentioned that I will be able to use morphine whenever I want for pain. I am worried about becoming addicted to this drug. Can't I go without pain medication?

I am going to have surgery to repair the rotator cuff tendons in my shoulder. The doctor has offered me the choice between two different types of anesthesia: general and regional. What are the advantages and disadvantages of these?

I have a moderate rotator cuff tear. I haven't had relief from physical therapy and medications. Now we're talking about surgery. My doctor says there are a couple of ways to approach surgery for tears like mine. What type of surgery is best?

What is acromioplasty? How will it help my shoulder?

I have a fairly minor rotator cuff tear. My doctor is ordering a type of surgery called acromioplasty to "decompress" the tendons in the shoulder area. Will this take away the pain in my shoulder? And can I expect the results to last?

I had a rotator cuff repair a year ago. The doctor used four metal anchors to hold the torn tendon in place. I am planning to fly overseas next month. Will the metal anchors set off the security system?

My husband had a total shoulder joint replacement. During the operation, his upper arm bone fractured. How do they take care of this?

I'm going to have my left shoulder joint replaced because of severe arthritis. The doctor told me that he might only replace half the joint. What is this decision based on?

The doctor says I have advanced stage of shoulder arthritis. What does this mean?

I was just told that I have rheumatoid arthritis. I'm only 36 years old. So far, only my hands are affected. What other joints will develop symptoms?

I have a painful right shoulder from rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Everyone tells me not to have cortisone injections. When is this recommended?

I have arthritis in several joints. My doctor has suggested surgery to replace my shoulder and my knee joints. Which one should be done first?

When exercising, what is a "kinetic chain"?

I am a competitive swimmer. I know it's good to strengthen my abdominal muscles, but why?

I've heard there's a way to treat shoulder dislocation with laser. Can anyone get this?

One of my shoulders dislocates anytime I reach overhead and pull down with my arm. The doctor has suggested doing a shrink-wrap operation to tighten it up. How do they keep from melting the cartilage?

I just had both shoulders treated with heat waves to shrink the tissue around the joint. How long will it be before I see any results?

Twenty years ago I fell and tore my rotator cuff. I'm finally going to have it repaired now. Can it possibly hold up another 20 years?

I turned 50 years old this year and joined a new group called the Red Hat Society. This is a group of women over 50 out to have fun. Most are 60 or older. Many of them say they've had a rotator cuff repair between ages 50 and 60. Why is this so common?

I found out my shoulder pain is from a torn rotator cuff tendon, along with compression of the bone that passes over the area. The doctor wants to remove part of the bone and repair the torn tendon. Do I really need all that? Won't the tendon grow back if the pressure is taken off?

My mother seems to be losing her ability to move. She can't raise her arms overhead to get dressed in the morning. Do older people lose the sense of where their joints are or is this a sign of early Alzheimer's?

I injured my left shoulder in a hang gliding accident. It's odd, but I feel as if my right shoulder is affected by my left shoulder problems. Is this possible? The right shoulder just doesn't seem to move as smoothly as before the accident.

I'm reading a report by my physical therapist about my shoulder rehab program. It mentions working on regaining joint proprioception. What is this?

My doctor wants to use ultrasound to look for tears in the rotator cuff around the shoulder. Can they see if there's any arthritis in there too?

When I was pregnant, the doctor took ultrasound pictures of the baby. Now I've torn the rotator cuff in my shoulder. They are going to use ultrasound to look for the tear. Is this the same test?

I'm 66-years old and have a lifelong fear of closed-in spaces. I need an MRI of my shoulder, but I'm afraid to get inside the machine. Is there any other way to get the same information without an MRI?

There were two employees in our office who had surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in the shoulder. One person had a great result and has come back to work already. The other worker is still off with pain, depression, and loss of function. How do you account for the differences?

I went to the shoulder doctor for a torn rotator cuff. They had me fill out all sorts of papers asking lots of questions. Do I have this problem? Do I have that problem? What's with all the questions? Why do they want to know all this for a shoulder injury?

Whenever I reach overhead with my right arm, the shoulder on that side automatically lifts up as if I'm shrugging. This doesn't happen on the left. What could be causing this to happen?

I saw an exercise video that shows a series of push-up exercises. One is supposed to be easier than the others. One is the hardest and two are in-between. I can't do any of them and can't tell where to start. What do you advise?

What is the "drive-through sign?" I read the surgeon's report after shoulder surgery and this is listed.

I am the coach of a high school baseball team. Two of my best pitchers are out with injuries. One has a Hill-Sachs lesion. The other has a SLAP tear. What's the difference between these two problems?

What is an "interscalene brachial plexus block?" I'm having a shoulder manipulation. This was written in the doctor's orders.

My doctor wants to manipulate my shoulder because it's "frozen" and won't move. Can't I just work on this myself and get the motion back slowly?

I have two separate problems: a frozen shoulder and a pinched nerve in my neck. If I have the shoulder manipulated, it could make the nerve problem worse. What can I do?

I've had shoulder pain from an AC injury that occurred last month. The doctor wants to inject the joint. Should I do this?

I fell forward off my bike and hurt my shoulder. The doctor who examined me poked, pushed, twisted, and pulled my arm to find out what was wrong. Isn't there any easier way to diagnose a problem like this?

My 17-year old daughter had a freak accident at the bowling alley. She was standing next to a shelf when a heavy box fell and landed on her shoulder. She's having surgery now to repair a shoulder separation. What is this exactly?

What is the "Paxinos test" for the shoulder? I work with athletes who have injuries, but I've never heard of this test.

I thought I had a shoulder problem. The doctor says it's the AC joint. My shoulder still hurts. What's the difference between these two problems?

I live in a rural part of Wyoming. I need an MRI of my rotator cuff. We have a local hospital with an MRI machine, but my doctor wants me to travel to a larger city with a newer MRI. Does it really make a difference?

My doctor wants me to have an MRI for my shoulder before doing surgery. I suffer from claustrophobia and can't go inside a tube like that. What can you tell me about the new open MRI?

I went to a physical therapist for a shoulder problem. Ultrasound was used to heat the tissue before stretching and exercise. I was told it's a form of heat, but I didn't feel any heat. Can you explain this?

I was being treated for a shoulder problem with ultrasound. At first I got better but then I got much worse. The doctor finally figured out my problem was really a bleeding ulcer from taking medications for my arthritis. Why would the ultrasound help if the problem wasn't really in the shoulder?

I work in heavy construction and tore my biceps tendon last year. Despite a good rehab program, the results aren't good enough to go back to work full-time. I still have weakness and I can't lift the heavy loads required by my job. Is there anything else that can be done?

I'm going to have a biceps tendon repair next week. What kind of recovery and rehab should I expect?

My mother had a total shoulder replacement six months ago. Six weeks later she started having all kinds of problems with that arm. The doctor says it's a condition called CRPS. Can you tell me what this is and what causes it?

My 16-year old daughter had a bike accident and hurt her shoulder. The doctor must have done 20 tests before deciding what was wrong with her. Is it really that hard to pinpoint a problem in the shoulder?

I thought I had a shoulder problem. The doctor says it's the AC joint. My shoulder still hurts. What's the difference between these two problems?

My doctor wants me to have an MRI for my shoulder before doing surgery. I suffer from claustrophobia and can't go inside a tube like that. What can you tell me about the new open MRI?

I've been diagnosed with shoulder tendonitis. The doctor has given me several treatment options. I can try drugs, steroid injections, or physical therapy. Which one works the best?

What is an "apprehension sign?" I saw in my medical report that I have a positive apprehension sign. I'm not usually an anxious person so I don't understand why the doctor wrote this in the report.

I just had surgery on my shoulder 10 days ago. An X-ray shows the screw holding the cartilage in place is poking into the joint causing problems. I really don't want to have another operation. Will this get better on its own?

I tore the rim of cartilage in my shoulder and had surgery to repair it. It's only been two weeks but I'm having sharp pain with some motions. Sometimes the shoulder "clunks" so loudly, my wife can hear it. What could be causing this?

I have an unstable shoulder joint after a bad fall. The doctor thinks a special CT scan will help diagnose the exact problem. What can this tell that can't be seen by a regular X-ray?

What is "shoulder instability?"

I recently had surgery for an unstable shoulder. The doctor commented that the socket was tear-shaped. Is this normal? Did it contribute to the constant dislocations I was having?

I had rotator cuff surgery three weeks ago. I'm still in an immobilizer and with a special pillow under my arm. I'm not supposed to move my shoulder unless the physical therapist does it for me. I'm really worried about getting a frozen shoulder. What are the chances of this happening?

I'm 78-years old and have been diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear and osteoporosis. I've been told the osteoporosis puts me at risk for a failed rotator cuff repair. If the muscle is the problem, what difference does it make if the bones are brittle?

I tore the rotator cuff of my left shoulder last year. I tried treating it with drugs and physical therapy but it didn't get better. Now I have to have an operation. Did I do the wrong thing by waiting to have surgery?

Does it make any difference what age you are when having a shoulder replacement? I'm 82 but still going strong except for the arthritis in my left shoulder. At my age is it worth it to go ahead with this kind of operation?

I need part of my shoulder replaced (the ball portion but not the socket). Will I just develop arthritis in the socket later and need to have it replaced eventually? Maybe I should just have the whole shoulder replaced now. What do you think?

My doctor is advising me to have a partial shoulder joint replacement. I just can't decide. What if it doesn't work? What if I'm worse off than I am now? At least now I can get along, even if I can't do a lot of things I'd like to do.

I went with my fourth grade son on a field trip to the local museum of natural science. I noticed the skeleton on my display had a very small shoulder socket. The round part of the upper arm barely fit. Is that normal? What holds it together?

As a mother of two boys on a high school baseball team, I notice there are a lot of shoulder injuries. Most seem to occur with overhead throwing. What causes this to happen?

I hurt my left shoulder playing soccer and went to see the doctor for some tests. One of the tests was just like hurting it all over again. This can't be good for the injury. Why do they do that?

My wife is a dental hygienist and uses her hands and arms all day long. Three weeks ago she fell onto her outstretched arm. Since then she's had severe, sharp pain in the shoulder on that side. At her age (48) the doctor thinks she'll need an operation. An MRI has been ordered, but the insurance company has to approve it first. Will this delay make the problem worse?

I've heard there are braces that can be worn during sports play for an unstable shoulder. What can you tell me about these?

I just started playing women's softball at the college level and now I've dislocated my shoulder. Can I keep playing and get it treated during the off-season?

I'm a college-level football player with a dislocated (and reduced) shoulder. My ability to stay in school depends on a football scholarship. I can't afford to sit out the rest of the season. If I do everything the physical therapist tells me, how soon can I expect to get back out on the field?

I had a heat treatment to shrink my shoulder about five years ago. It was pretty experimental then. I had a good result. Is this treatment still being used?

I just had a special heat treatment to tighten up an unstable shoulder joint. Now I'm worried that the joint won't be able to relax. How do they shrink the capsule but still keep the motion? I'm in a sling so I can't move it just yet anyway.

Six weeks ago I had thermal shrinking of my shoulder done. I'm supposed to be able to take my sling off and increase the use of my arm but my neck keeps going into painful spasms. Is this normal?

I watched an exercise program on TV at home. One of the exercises was to reach the hand behind the back and move the fingers up as close to the neck as possible. I noticed my right arm couldn't go nearly as far as my left. Is this normal?

My neighbor's been complaining of shoulder pain off and on for years now. Seems like most people I know with shoulder pain have it for a few days and it goes away. Could there be something seriously wrong with my friend?

My 77-year old mother is going to have therapy for shoulder pain from a fall she took at home. The X-ray showed it wasn't broken, but there's a lot of arthritis in the joint. Can therapy really help someone like this?

I'm going to have an arthroscopic release of a frozen shoulder next week. Can you tell me what is done during this operation?

I was in the cardiac intensive care unit for three weeks after a very severe heart attack. Ever since then I haven't been able to move my arm over head. The doctor says it's a "frozen shoulder." Nothing shows on the X-ray, so what's frozen?

What is a resistant frozen shoulder? I thought a frozen shoulder is stuck and won't move. Isn't this just calling it a frozen frozen shoulder?

What's an acromioplasty? My sister is having one next month. I'm supposed to go help take care of her after the operation.

I'm 48 years old with an old rotator cuff tear. I've tried rehab and I've done exercises for five years. I can't seem to reduce the pain or get any increase in motion so I've decided to have surgery to repair the torn rotator cuff. Will this really take care of the problem?

I went to the Mayo Clinic for shoulder surgery 10 years ago. It turned out fine but they keep sending me letters asking me questions about my pain and motion. I keep telling them I'm fine. Is there any way to get off their mailing list?

My 17-year-old son injured a nerve in his shoulder from lifting a heavy container overhead. As a result, his shoulder blade sticks out all the time. Will he always be like this?

I had a sudden onset of shoulder pain that sent me to the doctor's office in a hurry. I couldn't remember any kind of injury or recent illness. The bill I received describes the treatment as a "diagnostic injection." What does that mean exactly?

I'm a 48-year old woman and I had a mastectomy for breast cancer three months ago. Now that I'm back to swimming, I notice I'm having trouble with my stroke. My husband says when I reach forward to stroke the shoulder blade pops out noticeably. Could this be caused by the mastectomy?

My 18-year old son dislocated his shoulder in a bike accident over the weekend. The emergency room doctor put it back in. We were sent to an orthopedic surgeon for a follow-up appointment today. The doctor did a test that nearly dislocated the arm again. It was very painful for my son. Was this test really needed?

Three years ago I dislocated my left shoulder. They called it a Bankart lesion. Now I've dislocated the shoulder again with even more damage. This one's called a Hill-Sachs lesion. How is that different from the first dislocation?

I am a college-level volleyball player on a sports scholarship. I have a dislocating shoulder with a tear in the labrum. The doctors here want to do a special repair. It's called a Bankart repair with some kind of suture anchor. What I really need to know is: will I get the motion back I need to serve and spike the ball?

I'm a construction worker. I tore my right biceps muscle lifting a heavy cement block. Can the muscle heal by itself?

I'm going to have a rotator cuff tear repaired using a new kind of suture to hold it down. It's made of bone, has a sharp pointed end, and goes directly into the bone. I've been told I have thick bones. What if they can't get it to go in? Or what if it breaks when the surgeon is trying to put it in?

My son is going to have a rotator cuff tear repaired surgically. The doctor described a special anchor suture that will be used to hold the tendon in place until it heals. What kind of problems can come from using these anchors?

What is a bone button? My doctor is going to use something like this to repair my torn rotator cuff.

I've heard that if you're going to have a joint replacement it's best to go to a hospital or center where they do a lot of these operations. How many is enough to be safe?

I found it really pays to shop around before having surgery. I live in New York City. I priced the cost of a total shoulder replacement in and out of the city. The cost of the operation is much higher in the City compared to upstate New York. Any idea how they can get away with this?

I saw a report that joint replacements have better results when done by a surgeon with lots of experience with that operation. That makes sense. Is this the whole story or is there more to it?

I'm an avid golfer in my retirement years. After having some shoulder pain for months I saw my doctor. The problem I have is called subacromial impingement syndrome. I've never heard of it. Is it a rare condition?

Every time I raise my right arm up overhead, I feel and hear a sound like the bone is rubbing against something. There's no pain when I do it. What could be causing this?

I've been diagnosed with a shoulder impingement problem. It comes and goes, but seems to be staying longer when it comes. I've tried all the usual treatments such as drugs, acupuncture, exercise, and rest. What else is there?

I'm going to have surgery for a shoulder impingement problem. How long will it be before I can return to work as a manual laborer?

I am a 53-year old business executive. As part of my job, Ive been observing various divisions of our company. During the last rotation, I helped lift some heavy pipes. I felt a snap in my right shoulder with sudden pain. I dont want to file for workers comp. What should I do?

I have been doing push-ups as part of my regular exercise routine. Does it really matter whether my elbows are out or in?

My shoulder kept dislocating after an injury. I had arthroscopic surgery to tighten up the joint. The doctor used laser therapy. Its only been three months and my shoulder is dislocating again. Should I have the laser treatment again?

Sometimes, I wake up in the middle of the night and my arm is cold and stiff. My hand is blue and it looks like Ive lost the blood supply to my hand. What causes this?

I heard there's a new laser heat treatment for loose shoulders. Will this work for arthritis?

I had some shoulder surgery three weeks ago. I am doing my exercises faithfully, but theres still quite a bit of pain. Is this normal?

I had a steroid injection into my shoulder for a problem with bursitis. I got immediate relief that lasted about a week. Now my symptoms are starting to come back. How long do steroid injections usually work?

The doctor and physical therapist told me I have