Shoulder Injuries Specialist

James J. Reid, MD Our Services Shoulder Injuries
James J. Reid, MD - - Orthopedic Surgeon

James J. Reid, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon located in Culver City, Los Angeles, CA

Shoulder injuries can severely limit your ability to use your arm and hand. If you’ve suffered a shoulder injury, orthopedic surgeon James J. Reid, MD, in Los Angeles, California, can help. Dr. Reid is an expert in diagnosing and treating shoulder injuries of all kinds, including rotator cuff tears, dislocations, and fractures. To find out how you can benefit from his expertise in shoulder injuries, call Dr. Reid’s Culver City office today or book an appointment online.

Shoulder Injuries Q&A

What shoulder injuries might I get?

Common shoulder injuries include:

Rotator cuff tears

The tendons and muscles that cover your shoulder joint are called the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff gives your shoulder a wide range of motion while providing the joint with strength and stability.

Because your rotator cuff is so mobile, it tends to suffer injuries, particularly if you make a lot of overhead movements. You could also rupture the muscles and tendons in your rotator cuff.

Dislocations

Dislocation is where the ball at the top of your upper arm bone comes out of the socket in your shoulder blade. This often damages the rotator cuff and could tear the labrum, a ring of cartilage lining the socket.

Shoulder instability

Shoulder instability is where the joint feels loose and weak and dislocates easily. Repeated dislocations, rotator cuff tears, and labral tears can all lead to shoulder instability.

Shoulder impingement

If your rotator cuff rubs against the bone at the top of your shoulder (the acromion), it becomes irritated, causing shoulder impingement. This condition is also called rotator cuff tendinitis or swimmer’s shoulder.

Frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) results from connective tissues in the joints becoming stiff, limiting your range of motion. It usually develops after a fracture or surgery where your arm has been in a cast or sling.

How are shoulder injuries diagnosed?

Dr. Reid can find out a lot about your shoulder injury during your physical exam and is often able to make an accurate diagnosis based on your symptoms.

To confirm his findings and determine the extent of your shoulder injury, Dr. Reid might need to see X-rays of the joint or an MRI or CT scan.

If he needs to examine the inside of the joint to make a positive diagnosis, Dr. Reid does shoulder arthroscopy. This procedure involves using a tiny camera that fits inside the joint to view the damage in detail. Dr. Reid might be able to treat your shoulder injury using arthroscopic techniques as well.

How are shoulder injuries treated?

How your shoulder injury is treated will depend on the nature of the injury and how serious the damage is but could include:

  • Sling or cast
  • Anti-inflammatory medicine
  • Ice and heat
  • Physical therapy
  • Steroid injections

Severe shoulder injuries can require surgery. Dr. Reid can do labral, muscle, and tendon repairs and reconstructive surgery for injuries like rotator cuff tears. He can also do full, partial, or reverse joint replacement surgeries on joints that can’t be saved.

Call James J. Reid, MD, today or book an appointment online to get the right treatment for your shoulder injury.

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