Roper St. Francis

Shoulder treatments

Roper St. Francis Healthcare provides expert shoulder care to help you move with less pain. From injuries to chronic conditions, our orthopedic specialists offer personalized treatment and same- or next-day appointments, so you can get care without delay.

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Man with tennis racket grabs shoulder in pain

Solutions for your shoulder discomfort

Shoulder pain can range from a minor nuisance to a major discomfort that keeps you up at night and limits your everyday activities. We offer a full spectrum of care, from advanced diagnostic imaging and treatment options to physical therapy and rehabilitation services. Our shoulder specialists consider your condition, age, goals, activity level and other factors when personalizing your treatment plan. Whenever possible, we start with conservative treatments before recommending surgery. The goal is always to relieve your discomfort so you can return to the activities you enjoy.

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Shoulder conditions we treat

Injury, overuse and everyday wear and tear can cause shoulder pain that makes everyday movement difficult. Our orthopedic specialists evaluate your symptoms through a physical exam and, when needed, imaging, so you can get an accurate diagnosis and the right care plan.

Conditions we commonly treat include: 

doctor examining patient shoulder

Supporting your treatment and recovery

We offer comprehensive nonsurgical and surgical treatment options to support your recovery and help restore function, mobility and quality of life.

shoulder injection

In many cases, conservative therapies or sports medicine treatments improve symptoms of shoulder conditions. Things that may help include: 

  • Anti-inflammatory medications and injections: Many medications can reduce inflammation. We may give them by mouth, apply them to your skin or inject them directly into your shoulder.
  • Braces and support devices: Braces and slings can allow tissues to rest, provide compression and prevent movement that may interfere with healing.
  • Physical therapy and exercise: Physical therapy often focuses on therapeutic exercise to improve flexibility, range of motion and strength. Our experts may also use other modalities and offer tips that help you modify activities to reduce injury and pain.
Surgeons in operating room

When necessary, there are a variety of surgeries that may be helpful:

  • Arthroscopic procedures: These minimally invasive surgeries use small incisions and special instruments and typically result in quicker recovery than traditional open surgery. We can use arthroscopy for rotator cuff repairs, tendon and ligament problems, labral tears and more.
  • Fracture repair: Sometimes surgery is required to help broken shoulder bones heal.
  • Open surgery: In some cases, minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures aren’t possible. Then we rely on traditional surgery.
  • Shoulder replacement: The damaged shoulder joint is removed and replaced with metal and plastic components. We use of state of the art implants such as: ExactechGPS® system and Equinoxe® Humeral Reconstruction Prosthesis. These technologies provide a more stability in the shoulder joint replacement, especially in complex cases where you’ve had significant bone loss in your upper arm bone.
Gym at Berkeley

Healing is only part of the process. Our recovery and rehabilitation services are designed to help you rebuild strength, restore mobility and return to your normal activities with confidence. 

  • Coordinated care: Your therapists and orthopedic specialists stay connected throughout your recovery to ensure your care plan stays aligned as your needs change.
  • Personalized rehabilitation plans: Your recovery plan is tailored to your condition and goals. We work closely with you to build an approach that supports steady progress and long-term results.
  • Physical therapy: Through guided exercises and hands-on care, our therapists help you regain flexibility, improve strength and reduce pain.

Your shoulder treatment team

Here, we have board-certified orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists and others who are specially trained and experienced in shoulder care. Their combined expertise helps us address any issue you might encounter. 

Shoulder treatment locations

Our shoulder specialists offer care at convenient locations throughout the greater Charleston area. Same- and next-day appointments are often available to get you on the road to recovery sooner. 

People also ask

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3D Modeling for shoulder replacement

Orthopedic Surgeon Heather McIntosh, MD, explains how 3D imaging technology allows us to precisely fit artificial shoulder joints. 

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Orthopedic rehabilitation to regain strength and mobility

After an injury or surgery, your doctor may recommend physical therapy to help you minimize discomfort, promote healing and regain your strength. Ultimately, we help you get back to your regular daily activities.

Your rehab program may include: 

  • A custom recovery program based on your condition, your medical needs and your goals.
  • Balance and gait training to improve your stability and make walking easier.
  • Pain management techniques to control symptoms or pain related to your injury or surgery.
  • Return-to-activity planning to help you safely and gradually return to normal activities without setting back your recovery.
  • Stretching and strengthening exercises to reduce stiffness, improve range of motion and make it easier to do usual activities.

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Orthopedics

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