Explore Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Shoulder
UConn Health’s Orthopedics & Sports Medicine brings together experienced orthopedic medicine specialists and physical therapists, ready to help you with shoulder pain, discomfort, and stiffness. We have earned the trust of Connecticut’s professional sports teams and organizations, such as the Amateur Athletic Association (AAU) basketball, professional boxing, mixed martial arts (MMA), and the U.S. Coast Guard. By providing top-notch care to world-class athletes, we are better equipped to care for you and your loved ones.
Shoulder Services & Specialties
We are leaders in world-class care for a variety of shoulder conditions. And our doctors have access to the latest advances in the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of shoulder injuries. We create a personalized treatment plan to increase mobility, diminish pain, improve function, and enhance your quality of life.
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint made up of the shoulder blade and arm bone. And it’s held in place by soft tissue like muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Unfortunately, the shoulder joint is also a common site for injuries such as sprains, strains, dislocations, and even arthritis.
Shoulder Conditions
- Shoulder Instability & Dislocation
- Shoulder Labral Tears
- Shoulder Pain
- Shoulder Separation
- SLAP Tear (Injury in the Shoulder Socket Lining)
Treatments for Shoulder Disorders
We offer a comprehensive range of care for disorders of the shoulder, including both surgical and non-surgical treatment.
Medications
If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, our doctors may suggest some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin and ibuprofen, along with corticosteroid medications. We may recommend using cold patches or immobilizing your arm for a short period of time to ease the pain. We're here to help you get back to feeling your best.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy may help you regain strength, improve your range of motion, and alleviate pain. One of our experienced physical therapists will first assess your condition and create a personalized treatment plan. Aside from a range of exercises, physical therapy treatment may include iontophoresis, electrical stimulation, heat, moist heat, cold therapy, and light therapy.
Surgery
With some types of shoulder injuries, you may need to have surgery. Our orthopedic surgeons perform both traditional and modern, minimally invasive techniques. We perform various procedures, including latarjet (shoulder stabilization), total shoulder replacement, reverse total shoulder replacement, superior capsular reconstruction, and many others.