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Shoulder

OSS doctors have helped thousands of patients with shoulder pain and injuries 

The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the human body.  In turn, it can also be one of the most unstable joints in the body. 

Our team of orthopaedic surgeons use the most cutting-edge clinical skills, diagnostic tools, and treatments to take care of the shoulder anatomy and its associated structures.

Meet the the orthopaedic surgeons who focus on the shoulder:

Non-Surgical Treatments

OSS doctors always start with the most conservative approach (in other words, the least invasive to your body and lifestyle) to help you ease the shoulder pain and improve how you move.  Our doctors  begin with the most conservative established proven approaches and progress to more advanced approaches as clinically necessary. 

Common Surgeries Performed

Shoulder Scope (Shoulder Arthroscopy)
Shoulder Scope surgery is a minimally invasive surgery that is made with small 2cm incisions to access the shoulder joint. The benefits of arthroscopic surgery include a faster recovery, minimal blood loss, less scarring, and reduced surgical complications.

An arthroscopic surgery is when your surgeon introduces several long, thin light instruments into the shoulder joint to see the shoulder with live video.  The surgeon then examines the rotator cuff to debride tears, anchor detached labrum for added shoulder support, and remove excessive bony protrusions of the Acromioclavicular (AC) joint.  Once the repair is made, the surgeon then closes the small wound with a couple of stitches or a bandage. 

Surgery types include:

  • Rotator cuff repair
  • Superior Labrum, Anterior to Posterior (SLAP) tear
  • AC joint bone spur removal
  • Bicep tendon repair (tenodesis)
  • Subacromial decompression (shoulder impingement)
  • Labrum repair
  • Shoulder joint stabilization 

Total Shoulder Replacement
One of the main reasons that the joint needs to be replaced is arthritis. Different types of shoulder arthritis can include osteoarthritis (wear from years of use), inflammatory arthritis (chronic joint disease), post-traumatic arthritis (fracture, broken bone in the shoulder joint), or rotator cuff arthropathy (injury to the rotator cuff).  OSS orthopaedic surgeons will replace your shoulder (the ball and the socket) by using an artificial joint called a prosthesis.  The benefits of shoulder replacement surgery include: relief from pain, and helps restore motion, strength, and function of the shoulder. 

OSS doctors do both Total Shoulder Replacement (TSR), or Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement (rTSR) surgeries. The major difference is that in a reverse shoulder replacement the ball and socket parts of the shoulder joint switch sides. This means their natural position is reversed. 
It may take anywhere between three to six months for the shoulder to heal. Regaining full strength and range of motion can take up to a year.

Repair a Shoulder Fracture
Often, broken (fractured) bones in the shoulder require surgery after a sudden or sporting injury.  All our doctors routinely take care of patients who have suddenly broken bones in their shoulder joint. 

The OSS doctors are well trained in trauma surgery for the shoulder. Typical trauma surgeries might include: 

  • Proximal Humeral
  • Humeral Shaft
  • Clavical
  • Scapular

Common Problems 

You may have one or more of these problems that is causing pain in your shoulder:

  • One or more of the bones becomes fractured, broken. A fractured bone is typically considered to be a sudden trauma.  
  • Injury from a sport or an activity which causes the shoulder to get dislocated, or cause the soft tissue (muscle, ligament, and tendon) around the shoulder to tear
  • Arthritis develops over time or from a previous injury in the shoulder

 

 

Complete Approach to Surgery 

OSS doctors use many techniques, so you stay safe in surgery.  The OSS team will also help you with your recovery.  Here is a preview of what our doctors and team do:

  • Use minimally invasive surgical techniques in the surgery.
  • Give you clear instructions on how to plan before and after your surgery so you are more at ease. 
  • Perform the procedures in well run, accredited surgery centers or in highly ranked hospitals. 
  • Work with physician anesthesiologists who are highly trained.  
  • Manage the after-surgery short-term discomfort safely.
  • Monitor your recovery in the office and virtually.  
  • Get you home sooner.  In fact, most surgeries for the shoulder are “same day” surgeries, allowing you to return home later in the day.  Of course, we offer the option of an overnight stay if you and your doctor determine it’s needed. 
  • Get you connected to our physical therapy team, so you rebuild your strength and mobility. Our doctors of physical therapy have excellent training and schooling.  
Book an appointment with an OSS Specialist

Read What Our Patients Say

  • “My hip replacement surgery was done by Dr. Shahan Yacoubian on 6/18/24. In the 6 week-post surgery, the improvement in my quality of life has been nothing short of transformative…A week prior to surgery, I attended a Zoom meeting given by Providence St. Joseph Hospital in which they explained what to expect and how to prepare for the procedure. Physical ... ”
    - Sonia M.
  • “(Dr. Korchek) was straight to the point in everything. You can tell he was experienced. He said…you have a torn labrum in the right shoulder. The surgery went well. The pain wasn't bad.. the team was friendly and fun. I was in and out in no time. ”
    - Jason B.
  • “Two years since I had both knees replaced and all is good! I believe I left a very positive review not long after, so this is basically a repeat of that. Dr Shahan Yacoubian does the knee replacements, and he knows what he is doing. His staff is great too and their physical therapy center next door is top notch! They were great! Didn't push too hard to ... ”
    - Marc S.
  • “I could not walk I had to hop, my hip was really bad and was in need of total hip replacement. I was sent to Shahan Yacoubian I have not felt so good in the last 5 years, Dr Yacoubian reassured me that / will be better, I have not be so happy in years, I personally recommend him with being a top Dr that I have ever had and I would go back to him in a ... ”
    - Sheila C.
  • “Shahan Yacoubian and his associate team of surgeons/specialists are top natch in their field. Not only are they extremely knowledgeable in what they do, they are assertive, friendly and understand the needs of each Individual patient. My hip joint replacement went like clockwork, and exactly as they proposed it would be. After suffering sciatica for ... ”
    - Justin S.
  • “Dr Shahan Yacoublan is one of the best doctors I've ever dealt with, he performed a hip replacement on me and everything went extremely wall. I was walking with a walker the same day, with a cane in two weeks and by the fourth week I was on my feat without any assistance. I recommend him if you are looking for an excellent surgeon that cares about his pa ... ”
    - Edward C.

    Trusted Medical Sources

    To find out more about shoulder injuries, please visit American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons:

    Description of The Shoulder

    The shoulder consists of the humerus, scapula, and the clavicle. These bones work in concert with a number of muscles, including the rotator cuff muscles, to effectively raise and lower the arm. The shoulder allows us to reach, throw, and support our own body weight as we move about our daily lives.