Shoulder Conditions

The University of Michigan Health System diagnoses and treats all types of shoulder conditions, from acute injuries such as sprains to long-term degenerative issues. And we offer a variety of innovative surgical and non-surgical treatments that will be individualized for your specific needs. 

Some of the Shoulder Conditions We Treat

At University of Michigan, our integrated, multidisciplinary approach to treating shoulder conditions enables us to provide our patients with efficient and effective care. 

We treat all acute and chronic shoulder conditions, including:

Our main goal is to improve your quality of life. 

Diagnosing Shoulder Conditions

To make our diagnosis, we start with your clinical exam, conduct a thorough health history, talk with you about your pattern of symptoms and take X-rays. Depending on what your X-rays show, further imaging, such as a CT scan, MRI, ultrasound or arthrogram, may be required. Our Radiology Services are state of the art and will help us determine how to treat your condition. 

Treating Shoulder Injuries and Conditions

Note: If you have suffered any shoulder trauma, seek treatment right away. Failure to do so risks further complications, such as chronic instability, weakness, pain or malunion (where a fracture heals in a bad position that is difficult to undo). Getting that diagnosis quickly means we can treat you while the injury is simpler to treat. But, even if a problem has been misdiagnosed or is a long-term issue, we can still help.

Treatment varies widely, depending on the problem. 

Surgery for Shoulder Conditions

If we are able to effectively treat you without surgery, we will. But if you’ve already been treated without a good outcome, or you have a severe issue, we will discuss your surgical options and help you decide which option is best for you.

We perform hundreds of shoulder surgeries each year, ranging from simple bunion and toe procedures to the most complex hindfoot reconstructions. We are on the forefront of orthopaedic technology, offering the most advanced techniques and developing new procedures for difficult problems. 

Throughout all of our services, we collaborate with areas such as radiology, sports medicine, plastic surgery, emergency medicine, rheumatology, and physical medicine and rehabilitation. Our team approach enables us to pool together all of our knowledge and experience to better care for our patients.

Some of the shoulder surgery solutions we offer include:

  • Arthroscopic repair - Your surgeon will insert a small camera called an arthroscope, or scope, into your shoulder joint to see the damage and then use small surgical instruments to make the repair.
  • Fusion surgery – Fusion is an excellent pain-relieving procedure for arthritic joints. It involves removing the cartilage from a joint so it grows into one bone, eliminating the pain of bones rubbing against each other.
  • Mini-open repair - Where your surgeon inserts the arthroscope to see the rotator cuff and then makes a larger incision to perform the surgery. 
  • Open repair - A traditional open surgical incision if the tear is large or complex. 
  • Revision surgery - Patches and muscle transfers for complex cases
  • Shoulder joint replacement – Using bone and cartilage from deceased donors to sculpt a new shoulder joint. The University of Michigan is one of the few hospitals in the area to offer shoulder joint replacement.
  • Shoulder replacement – Your surgeon will use plastic and metal parts to provide you with a new shoulder, alleviating pain and giving you a better range of motion again. 

Our Approach to Care

As part of the University of Michigan Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Center, we collaborate closely with areas such as:

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Radiology
  • Rheumatology
  • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Our integrated, multidisciplinary approach to patient care enables us to develop an individualized plan for your treatment. 

Contact Us / Make an Appointment

  • MedSport, 877-877-9333, or 734-930-7400
  • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR), 734-936-7175

You're about to make an important decision, and we want to help you make a good one. Visit our Contact Us page to see a list of Musculoskeletal Call Centers. Our staff will be glad to talk with you about your options and how we can help.