Shoulder pain can take a serious toll on your day-to-day life, whether it’s keeping you from tossing a ball, reaching overhead or sleeping comfortably. When medications and physical therapy don’t bring relief, surgery might be the next step toward getting your mobility and comfort back.
At Riverside Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists, our sub-specialized team of shoulder and elbow specialists perform a wide range of minimally invasive and open shoulder surgeries designed to relieve pain, repair damage and restore strength. Learning about the various shoulder surgery options can help you better understand your care choices and what to expect during recovery.
“After shoulder surgery, many of our patients experience full pain relief,” says Paul B. McLendon, M.D., a fellowship-trained, board-certified shoulder and elbow surgeon at Riverside. “They also see improved strength in their shoulder, though their full strength might not return.”
Let’s walk through some of the most common shoulder procedures, what they treat and how they help patients get back to what they love.
Rotator Cuff Repair: A Common Fix for a Common Injury
The rotator cuff is made up of muscles and tendons that support shoulder stability and enable movement in many directions. Tears in these tendons can result from repetitive use, injury or the natural aging process.
During arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, a surgeon uses small incisions to guide a camera and instruments into the joint to reattach the torn tendon to the bone.
Why it’s done: To relieve pain and restore shoulder strength and function
Recovery: Most patients wear a sling for 4-6 weeks, followed by physical therapy. Full recovery can take 4-6 months, depending on the size of the tear and commitment to rehab.
Superior Capsular Reconstruction: Support for Irreparable Tears
When a rotator cuff tear is too large to repair directly, your surgeon may recommend a superior capsular reconstruction (SCR). This advanced arthroscopic technique uses donor tissue to help stabilize the shoulder joint and prevent further damage.
Why it’s done: For patients with massive rotator cuff tears that can’t be stitched back together
Benefit: Restores motion and reduces pain when traditional rotator cuff repair isn’t an option
Acromioplasty: Making Space in the Shoulder
Sometimes, shoulder pain comes from bone spurs or inflamed tissue rubbing against the rotator cuff. A procedure called acromioplasty (also known as subacromial decompression) removes these problem areas.
Why it’s done: To relieve impingement syndrome, a condition where shoulder movement is painful due to narrowing in the joint
Bonus: Often performed at the same time as other arthroscopic shoulder procedures
Biceps Tenodesis: Relieving Pain from a Torn Biceps Tendon
If the biceps tendon that connects your arm to your shoulder is frayed or torn, it can cause aching or sharp pain in the front of your shoulder. During arthroscopic biceps tenodesis, the damaged portion is detached from the shoulder and reattached to the upper arm bone.
Why it’s done: To relieve pain and prevent further tearing in the long head of the biceps
Fun fact: This technique helps maintain arm contour and function, especially for active patients
Total Shoulder Replacement: A Solution for Severe Arthritis
If you’re living with advanced shoulder arthritis that limits your movement and causes chronic pain, a total (anatomic) shoulder replacement could offer relief. Surgeons replace the damaged ball of your upper arm with a metal one, and the worn-out socket with a smooth plastic liner.
Why it’s done: To restore joint function and reduce pain when nonsurgical treatments no longer work
Ideal candidate: Someone with intact rotator cuff muscles and significant joint damage
Reverse Shoulder Replacement: A Game Changer for Rotator Cuff Damage
In patients with a torn rotator cuff that can’t be repaired, reverse shoulder replacement surgery may be the best option. It switches the placement of the ball and socket in the joint, allowing the deltoid muscle to take over for the damaged rotator cuff.
Why it’s done: For patients with cuff tear arthropathy or failed prior shoulder surgeries
Great for: Older adults or those with complex shoulder conditions
Distal Clavicle Excision: Relief for AC Joint Pain
Pain at the acromioclavicular (AC) joint, where your collarbone meets your shoulder, can happen due to arthritis or repetitive stress. A distal clavicle excision removes a small portion of the collarbone to relieve pressure.
Why it’s done: To relieve pain caused by bone-on-bone contact in the AC joint
Recovery tip: Most patients can return to full function in just a few weeks
Distal Biceps and Triceps Repairs: Restoring Arm Strength
Tendon injuries don’t always happen at the shoulder – they can occur near the elbow too.
- Distal biceps repair involves reattaching the torn biceps tendon back to the forearm, restoring elbow strength and rotation.
- Triceps repair reattaches the back-of-arm tendon to the bone when it’s torn.
These procedures are often recommended for athletes or active individuals and can significantly improve arm function.
Is Shoulder Surgery Right for You?
If you’ve been dealing with chronic shoulder pain or weakness that hasn’t improved with therapy or medications, minimally invasive shoulder surgery may help restore your function and quality of life.
“With today’s techniques, we can often perform shoulder surgery through small incisions, leading to faster recovery and less pain,” says Dr. McLendon.
Every patient is different, so your care plan should be customized based on your injury, lifestyle, and goals.
When to See an Orthopedic Specialist
At Riverside Health, our board-certified orthopedic surgeons specialize in advanced shoulder and elbow care. Whether you need rotator cuff surgery, shoulder replacement or tendon repair, we’re here to help you heal and return to the activities you enjoy. Early treatment can reduce the risk of chronic pain, arthritis and long-term joint damage, so don’t wait.
Schedule an appointment online so you can be evaluated right away.
Riverside OrthoConnect, our Orthopedic urgent care option, has next business day appointment availability in most cases.
