Shoulder Doctor

The shoulder is a remarkable part of the human body— it’s highly flexible and has an impressive range of motion. However, the shoulder is also prone to stress and overuse, especially the rotator cuff. Consider, for example, the toll certain sports can take on the shoulder, like a tennis player hitting a serve, or a golfer swinging continuously. 

While sports injuries are a common cause of shoulder pain, there are also many other reasons why shoulder pain can occur. Arthritis is one of the most common causes of joint pain, including shoulder pain, but also the normal wear and tear of aging can cause the shoulder joints to degenerate and cause pain. The shoulder joint is also highly unstable, which makes the joint, its tendons, ligaments, and muscles susceptible to injury. Doctors who specialize in the shoulder understand these complexities and know how to expertly diagnose and treat shoulder pain, and if necessary perform surgery. If you're experiencing shoulder pain, it is important to seek out a skilled and knowledgeable shoulder specialist.

When You Should Visit a Shoulder Doctor Near You

Symptoms offer clues to your condition. If you are experiencing any of the following, you should make an appointment with a doctor to have them assessed:

• Bone against bone sensation when moving your shoulder
• Decreasing range of motion
• Intense shoulder pain that appears unexpectedly
• Pain radiating down to the elbow
• Pain when shrugging your shoulders
• Shoulder aches or is tender
• Shoulder joint inflammation or stiffness never completely subsides
• Weakness when trying to use your arm

If you are currently experiencing any of these issues, you may be suffering from one of the following injuries or conditions that can be treated with or without shoulder surgery by our expertly trained shoulder doctor or surgeon:

• Arthritis
• Clavicle injuries
• Fractures
• Joint instability
• Osteophyte (bone spur) in shoulder
• Pinched nerve in shoulder
• Rotator cuff tear or damage
• Shoulder bursitis
• Strained ligaments
• Shoulder separation or dislocation
• Tendonitis (medically referred to as tendinitis)

Experience Excellence at Southern California Orthopedic Institute

Deciding on the best doctor or surgeon to treat your shoulder pain is important, and there is much to consider when choosing a shoulder specialist for your shoulder care.

At Southern California Orthopedic Institute, you can be confident knowing our fellowship-trained and specialty-trained shoulder doctors are knowledgeable medical specialists with focused training and experience in shoulder problems and treatments, including surgery. With this advanced training and extensive knowledge, our shoulder specialists will treat your individual needs with the highest level of expertise.

Through our Shoulder Center, our doctors take a team approach in assessing, diagnosing, and treating our patients. From our pediatric orthopedic specialist and sports medicine doctors to our specialty-trained shoulder surgeons, our shoulder specialists are skilled in delivering a wide range of treatments, procedures, and surgical techniques for a number of conditions and injuries. To learn more about our Shoulder Center, its internationally renowned shoulder doctors, and the variety of conditions we manage at Southern California Orthopedic Institute, we invite you to review our patient education resources, our Athlete and Parent’s Online Guide to Sports Medicine on our website, or use the quick links below. 

If you are ready for an expert opinion on your shoulder issue and to discuss your nonsurgical and surgical treatment options with one of our shoulder doctors in our Shoulder Center, you can make an appointment online or call (818) 901-6600 or (661) 328-5565 for our Bakersfield location. We have convenient locations in Van Nuys, Bakersfield, Valencia, Simi Valley, Westlake, Beverly Hills, and Porter Ranch. You may use our My Choice resource to help select the right specialist for you.