man carrying heave sack

Shoulder & Elbow

Treatment of shoulder and elbow conditions

Shoulder and elbow joints allow us to bend, flex, reach, and rotate our arms. However, repetitive overhead movements commonly used in our everyday life overstress the elbow and shoulder joints resulting in injury. Thus, immediate and proper care of shoulder and elbow conditions derived from overuse, trauma, or disease is necessary to avoid further damage and help restore movement.

  Conditions We Treat

Shoulder

Elbow

woman holding elbow in pain

  Your Care Team Each provider may treat different conditions. Click on a profile to see their areas of specialty.

 Frequently Asked Questions.

Why should I choose a fellowship trained Shoulder & Elbow Surgeon?

Fellowship trained orthopedic surgeons take additional steps to become experts in a subspecialty of their choice by training for an additional year following four years of medical school and five years of residency. The extra year allows them to gain more experience and exposure to complex cases, differentiate their skills and become an expert in their chosen focus due to the concentrated training components of surgical and clinical experience as well as research. Patients under the care of our fellowship trained Shoulder & Elbow orthopedic surgeon are receiving diagnosis and treatment from a highly qualified provider specifically dedicated to the shoulder & elbow subspecialty. Our Shoulder & Elbow specialist is also a member of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) society, an indication of research, clinical expertise, and advanced training in the field.

What should I expect during my visit?

The initial visit will include a comprehensive medical history evaluation and full examination of the area concerned by one of our fellowship trained orthopedic surgeons. Additional diagnostic imaging such an X-ray or MRI may be necessary to assist in determining a diagnosis. Once a diagnosis has been determined, your surgeon will develop a treatment plan that may include medication, injections, physical therapy, or surgery.

What if surgery is recommended? What should I expect?

If surgery is recommended by our orthopedic surgeons, pre-operative instructions, details about your operation and recovery treatment plan will be discussed in depth with your physician prior to your operation. Generally, procedures for the shoulder and elbow require day surgery and do not require an overnight stay at the hospital. Upon discharge, assistive devices such as a brace, sling, or splint to immobilize the joint, will be provided by our UTMB staff. Also, conveniently located at our Galveston, League City, and Clear Lake campuses are outpatient pharmacies prepared to fill any post-operative pain management medications you are prescribed upon discharge.

What if I am not ready for surgery?

If surgery is not for you at this time, non-surgical options such as rest, pain management prescriptions, injections, and physical therapy are available to address your injury. Our League City, Clear Lake, and Galveston campuses include both convenient outpatient pharmacies prepared to dispense medication and feature physical therapy facilities to help you regain strength and mobility in the affected area.

  Our Locations