Category: Shoulder

An Unpleasant Complication of Reverse: Spontaneous Scapular Spine & Acromion Fracture

June 8, 2026

Reverse shoulder replacement is a great surgical procedure! Most patients experience pain relief and restoration of function after recovery from reverse shoulder replacement. However, as with any other surgery, complications can occur. The shoulder blade contains a thickening called “scapular spine”. Believe it or not, this bone can break spontaneously after otherwise successful reverse replacement … More An Unpleasant Complication of Reverse: Spontaneous Scapular Spine & Acromion Fracture

Personalized Reverse Baseplates: Perfect Fit for Each Shoulder!

December 20, 2025

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty is a great procedure that eliminates pain and improves motion. After years of suffering, many individuals are finally able to use their shoulders normally again, including the practice of sports. Reverse shoulder replacements combine several parts: (1) the humeral component, (2) a polyethylene liner, (3) the so-called “baseplate” -fixed to the shoulder … More Personalized Reverse Baseplates: Perfect Fit for Each Shoulder!

Why is the trapezius muscle so important, and what are the options for trapezius paralysis?

December 9, 2025

I am almost sure that most of you, when you hear the word “trapezius muscle”, or “trap”, think about “bodybuilders”, or “a stress ball”. Many bodybuilders develop very large “traps”, which provide a distinct visual cue associated with strength. On the other hand, stress, or siting at a desk for too long, can lead to … More Why is the trapezius muscle so important, and what are the options for trapezius paralysis?

Robot-Assisted Reverse Shoulder Replacement

March 28, 2025

Shoulder replacement has become a very successful procedure. If you have done some reading, or browsed content on this topic, you will have come across the fact that, currently, the most common type of shoulder replacement used is called reverse shoulder replacement. A reverse shoulder replacement contains several parts. Most commonly, a disc-like metallic part, … More Robot-Assisted Reverse Shoulder Replacement

My Surgeon Recommends a Stemless Shoulder Replacement: What is “Stemless” All About?

December 6, 2023

The field of shoulder replacement continues to advance. When a shoulder replacement is performed, components are implanted on the bone in the arm (humerus), and oftentimes also on the shoulder blade socket (glenoid). When only the humeral side of the joint is replaced, the term hemiarthroplasty (partial replacement) is used, whereas when both sides of … More My Surgeon Recommends a Stemless Shoulder Replacement: What is “Stemless” All About?

Tears of the Subscapularis: Hidden and Forgotten, No More!

August 8, 2018

Tears of the rotator cuff are a very common reason for shoulder pain, weakness and poor motion. The rotator cuff is a group of deep muscles all around the shoulder joint. They provide stability and power to the joint, and unfortunately, they are prone to both injuries and wear with overuse and aging. Some of … More Tears of the Subscapularis: Hidden and Forgotten, No More!

When Painful Snapping Around the Shoulder Blade Becomes Debilitating…: The Snapping Scapula Syndrome

January 31, 2018

The shoulder blade area and surrounding muscles may become irritated and painful for multiple reasons. Some of the most frustrated patients I have seen in my practice complain of years and years of painful snapping around the upper shoulder blade region. Oftentimes, these individuals have been told that physical therapy exercises are all they need … More When Painful Snapping Around the Shoulder Blade Becomes Debilitating…: The Snapping Scapula Syndrome

Fusing Together the Bones at the Shoulder Joint: A Reasonable Alternative for Selective Desperate Situations

June 23, 2017

The whole purpose of joints is to provide motion between segments of the skeleton. Why would we ever consider surgically eliminating motion at the shoulder joint? At first, it sounds a little crazy, doesn’t it? But believe it or not, in certain desperate situations, shoulder fusion is a very good alternative… What do we mean … More Fusing Together the Bones at the Shoulder Joint: A Reasonable Alternative for Selective Desperate Situations

Transfer of the Lower Trapezius: An Option to Consider for Bad Rotator Cuff Tears that Cannot Be Fixed

April 6, 2017

Tears of the rotator cuff represent a leading reason for shoulder pain worldwide. Surgery is oftentimes considered for those individuals with a torn rotator cuff when symptoms do not improve despite medications, injections, and physical therapy. Luckily, many rotator cuff tears can be repaired arthroscopically. This is particularly true when cuff tears are repaired right … More Transfer of the Lower Trapezius: An Option to Consider for Bad Rotator Cuff Tears that Cannot Be Fixed

A tiny nerve in the shoulder can create so much trouble! All you need to know about the suprascapular nerve

January 14, 2017

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons extremely important for the function of the shoulder. Tearing of the rotator cuff tendons represents one of the most common reasons of shoulder pain, weakness and poor function (Acute Tears of the Rotator Cuff: Why seek Help Immediately?; A Few Common Questions About Rotator Cuff Tears: … More A tiny nerve in the shoulder can create so much trouble! All you need to know about the suprascapular nerve