Shoulder Injuries

Overview

Massachusetts General Hospital’s Sports Medicine specialists diagnose and treat the full spectrum of shoulder injuries, from the common to the complex. We offer a range of non-surgical and surgical treatment options.

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Experts in Shoulder Repair

Mass General, part of the Mass General Brigham integrated health system, is the premier sports medicine provider in New England, with a proven track record of expertise and innovation in orthopedic care. Our nationally recognized sports medicine experts will treat your shoulder pain, and help you regain the mobility and strength you had before you were sidelined. We focus on getting you back to your active lifestyle as quickly and safely as possible.

A Team Approach to Treating Athletes

Our multidisciplinary team of sports medicine doctors are experts in treating athletes who participate in all sports. We partner with you to develop a customized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs and goals, and we will provide you with comprehensive care every step of the way—from diagnosis and treatment to rehabilitation and recovery. We develop sport-specific plans to optimize your recovery, restore performance and prevent further injury.

At Mass General, our specialists work together to ensure the best possible outcome. Our orthopaedic surgeons work closely with physiatrists, physical therapists, sports trainers, nutritionists, psychologists, coaches and other wellness experts to ensure we are treating the whole athlete rather than simply focusing on a temporary fix.

Our physicians drive breakthroughs in sports medicine research, technology and treatment. This means our patients receive the most advanced care, have access to an array of shoulder treatment options and experience safe, fast recoveries.

Common Shoulder Injuries

We treat every kind of shoulder injury that an athlete might experience, including:

• Arthritis
• Bursitis
• Cartilage tears
• Clavicle injury/fracture
• Dislocations
• Frozen shoulder (stiffness)
• Impingement
• Instability
• Ligament tears
• Rotator cuff tears/injuries
• Pain/swelling
• Separated shoulder
• SLAP (superior labrum anterior and posterior) tears
• Sprains
• Tendonitis
• Throwing injuries
• Torn ligaments

Video: Mark Price, MD, PhD on Caring for Athletic Shoulder Injuries

Options for Treating Shoulder Injuries

Treatment options for shoulder injuries depend on your medical history, the nature and severity of your injury and pain, the condition of your upper body, your age and your overall health. Your treatment plan may involve one or more of the following approaches, based on their level of effectiveness:

Non-Surgical

• Modifying/limiting activity or avoiding high-impact activity
• Physical therapy exercises to strengthen the muscles of the back, arm and shoulder
• Steroid injections
• Wearing an upper arm brace, cast or splint
• Resting, icing or applying heat to the injured shoulder
• Over-the-counter pain medications

Surgical

• Arthroscopic surgery
• Bankart repair – anterior or posterior
• Biceps tenodesis (tendon surgery)
• Latarjet
• Minimally invasive surgery
• Proximal Humeral Fracture Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF)
• Reverse shoulder arthroplasty
• Shoulder replacement surgery (arthroplasty)
• SLAP repair (called SLAP Repair – Type II)
• Tendon Transfer Surgery
• Torn rotator cuff repair