A female swimming across a swimming pool lane

Shoulder

Advanced solutions for shoulder pain and injuries

At UTMB Health, our orthopedic shoulder specialists provide comprehensive care for a wide range of shoulder conditions, including sports injuries, rotator cuff tears, and dislocations. We use the latest diagnostic tools and advanced treatment options to help you recover strength and restore function. We’re committed to helping you get back to the activities you love, free of shoulder pain or discomfort, with compassionate care you can trust.

  Conditions We Treat

Rotator Cuff Disorders

Arthritis

Other Conditions

Dislocations & Instability Conditions

Fractures & Soft Tissue Injuries

Man grimacing in pain as he touches his injured shoulder while playing tennis outdoors, holding racket in other hand

  Additional Services & Procedures

We've highlighted some of the most common services—please explore the conditions list for treatments by condition.

Famel nurse or physical therapist helping female patient holding a dumbbell extend her arm after a shoulder injury at UTMB Health.

Can’t find what you're looking for? Contact the care team at the clinic for assistance.

  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 complete an additional year of specialized training after medical school and residency, focusing on complex cases in their chosen subspecialty. This concentrated training enhances their surgical, clinical, and research skills, making them experts in areas like shoulder and elbow care. Our fellowship-trained shoulder and elbow surgeon at UTMB provides highly specialized diagnosis and treatment and is a member of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), reflecting advanced expertise 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.
  • When should I see a shoulder specialist?

    If you have persistent pain, weakness, limited motion, or recurrent dislocations that don’t improve with rest or initial treatments, it’s time to consult a specialist.
Male doctor or nurse with clipboard in medical office speaking with male patient who’s touching his shoulder after an injury

  Our Locations

blue rectangle with gold-outlined pentagon shape that has the words "healthgrades specialty excellence awards 2025" written in white inside the gold frame

UTMB recognized with specialty excellence clinical achievements from Healthgrades

The University of Texas Medical Branch announced today that it has achieved numerous accolades for clinical excellence from Healthgrades.

Among UTMB’s distinctions are for Specialty Excellence Awards, placing the hospital among the nation’s top 10% for pulmonary care, gastrointestinal surgery and critical care. UTMB was also rated five stars for eight services, including treatment of heart failure, pacemaker procedures, spinal fusion surgery, treatment of pneumonia, colorectal surgeries, upper GI surgeries, treatment of sepsis and treatment of respiratory failure.

“At UTMB, our commitment to delivering high-quality specialty care is reflected not only in our clinical outcomes but also in the prestigious awards and ratings from Healthgrades,” said Dr. Jochen Reiser, President of UTMB and CEO of the UTMB Health System. “These recognitions are a testament to our dedicated team’s relentless pursuit of excellence and our promise to provide patients with the highest standard of care."

UTMB’s achievements are based solely on patient outcomes, according to Healthgrades. As part of its 2025 hospital assessment, Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates for over 30 of the most common conditions and procedures at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide to determine the top performers in specialty care.

“Healthgrades commends UTMB for their clear commitment to delivering consistently superior patient outcomes in critical service areas, including treatment of heart failure, pacemaker procedures, spinal fusion surgery, treatment of pneumonia, colorectal surgeries, upper GI surgeries, treatment of sepsis and treatment of respiratory failure,” said Brad Bowman, MD, chief medical officer and head of data science at Healthgrades. “UTMB’s leadership, expertise, and unwavering dedication to clinical excellence set a high mark for specialty care in Texas and nationwide.”

For more on how Healthgrades measures hospital quality, visit healthgrades.com. A patient-friendly overview of how Healthgrades rates hospitals and why quality matters is available online.

See our 5 Star Awards

Treatment of Pneumonia
Healthgrades 2025 5 star award for treatment of pneumonia

Spinal Fusion Surgery
Healthgrades 2025 5 star award for spinal fusion surgery

Colorectal Surgeries
Healthgrades 2025 5 star award for colorectal surgeries

Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery
Healthgrades 2025 5 star award for upper gastrointestinal surgery

Treatment of Heart Failure
Healthgrades 2025 5 star award for treatment of heart failure

Pacemaker Procedures
Healthgrades 2025 5 star award for pacemaker procedures

Treatment of Sepsis
Healthgrades 2025 5 star award for Treatment of Sepsis

Treatment of Respiratory Failure
Healthgrades 2025 5 star award for Treatment of Respiratory Failure

*Statistics are based on Healthgrades analysis of MedPAR data for years 2021 through 2023 and represent three-year estimates for Medicare patients only. View the complete 2025 Specialty Awards and Ratings Methodology online.