×

How can we help you?

Page Navigation

Treating Shoulder Pain in the Raleigh Area

Shoulder Injuries - Did You Know?

Shoulder injuries of the ligaments, muscles, and tendons are most commonly caused by activities that involve excessive and repetitive overhead motion. Shoulder pain is the most common symptom of a shoulder injury.

Expert Shoulder Specialists in Wake County

The shoulder specialists at Raleigh Orthopaedic provide comprehensive and specialized care for a wide variety of shoulder conditions such as treating tears, dislocations, and other shoulder injuries and conditions using the latest techniques. Our specialists, Dr. Robert Wyker, Dr. Hadley Callaway, Dr. William Isbell, Dr. Evan James, Dr. Matthew Boes, Dr. Joseph Barker, Dr. Edwin Cadet, and Dr. Dare, will diagnose the cause of your shoulder pain and offer treatment options to relieve your pain.  

Our shoulder specialists are available at all of our clinics in Wake County, NC.

Shoulder Treatments in Wake County

Prior to any suggested course of treatment, our shoulder specialists will get your medical history, complete a physical examination, and run any necessary medical tests to ensure proper diagnosis. Most shoulder injuries will not need surgery.

Nonsurgical Treatment for Your Shoulder Pain

For any patient that comes to Raleigh Orthopaedic with a shoulder concern, our shoulder specialists will likely opt for a more conservative treatment plan. Many common shoulder conditions do not require surgery, including:

  • Shoulder fractures
  • Shoulder bursitis
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Shoulder tendonitis
  • Mild or moderate osteoarthritis

For injuries where a conservative treatment plan is an option, our specialists will likely provide you with a plan that involves rest, limiting or restricting your shoulder’s movement, avoiding certain activities, non-narcotic pain relievers, cortisone injections or other rehabilitative injections, and possibly physical therapy.

Reasons for Shoulder surgery

Raleigh Orthopaedic shoulder surgeons may recommend surgery if you have one of the following conditions:

  • You shoulder pain continues despite nonsurgical treatments
  • You have a complete tear of your rotator cuff
  • Your shoulder dislocates recurrently or you are at risk of recurrent dislocations
  • You can no longer lift your arm
  • You can no longer perform daily activities
  • If you have advanced shoulder arthritis
  • If your injury or condition limits your athletic performance

Our shoulder surgeons are experts in several approaches to repairing your shoulder, including:

Depending on the severity of the tear to your rotator cuff, our shoulder surgeons may completely reattach a torn tendon to the upper arm bone, or they may trim or smooth the rotator cuff depending on a smaller, partial tear. For larger rotator cuff tears, your repair will be augmented with a tissue graft, which will strengthen and thicken the tendon. In worst-case scenarios, your surgeon may also decide to further restore function by using a nearby tendon to help move your shoulder.

Surgery for shoulder instability will depend on your age, activity level, and injury severity. Your surgical plan may restore tears to the labrum at the edge of the shoulder socket, fill in a dent in your shoulder’s ball joint – caused by dislocation, or in cases where the shoulder socket has been too worn, transfer bone and muscles from nearby to support the weakened area.

Depending on the type and severity of your shoulder condition, a shoulder replacement surgery will involve the upper arm bone and shoulder bone being separated and repaired, utilizing replacement ball and joint connections.

Shoulder Clinics in Wake County

Raleigh Orthopaedic provides treatment for shoulder injuries and conditions at six separate clinics in the Triangle Community. Our clinics can be found in Raleigh, North Raleigh, Cary, Garner, Holly Springs, and West Cary-Panther Creek. For those in need of shoulder surgery, we have two surgery centers in Raleigh and Panther Creek.

Additional Information for your Shoulder Appointment

  • Aetna / Coventry
  • Alignment HC
  • Blue Cross
  • Cigna
  • Humana
  • Humana Military/ Tricare East
  • MedCost
  • Medicaid
  • Medicare
  • Multiplan / PHCS
  • Prime Health
  • United Healthcare

 

Please come to your first appointment 30 minutes early with your photo ID, insurance card, and if applicable, any images or scans related to your visit. If your insurance plan has a copay, that will be collected at the time of check-in. At your first appointment with Raleigh Orthopaedic, you will be expected to complete new patient forms, including a medical history questionnaire. You can update your demographics and fill out your new patient forms prior to your appointment through our Patient Portal. These forms will be used to get a baseline overview of pre-existing conditions and a better initial understanding of where and how you’re experiencing pain or discomfort. Conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, anemia, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes may all impact both diagnosis and treatment plan options.

If you are in need of emergency medical care for your shoulder, please go to UNC Rex Hospital. Raleigh Orthopaedic specialists are on call for orthopedic trauma at all hours of the day.

Explore other Services Available at Raleigh Orthopaedic

Are you in need of care other than for your shoulder? Raleigh Orthopaedic also provides the following orthopedic services and specialties to the Triangle Community.

Related Content

Shoulder Pain Symptoms You Shouldn’t Avoid
How often have you experienced shoulder pain from everyday tasks such as putting on a shirt, fastening your seatbelt, or… Read More »
Proximal Humerus Fractures
Proximal Humerus Fractures: Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery A proximal humerus fracture occurs when the ball-shaped part of the upper arm… Read More »
Clavicle Fractures
The clavicle bone, or collarbone, connects the breastbone to the shoulder blade. It is also one of the most commonly… Read More »