Shoulder and Elbow
Shoulder and elbow pain often creates debilitating discomfort that reduces flexibility and motion and limits your ability to perform a range of day-to-day activities, negatively impacting your quality of life.
NHRMC Orthopedic Hospital offers a full-service advanced facility dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, including subspeciality treatment in upper extremity care and joint replacement.
Orthopedic specialists offer a range of surgical and non-surgical treatments to eliminate shoulder and elbow pain and help patients return to normal, everyday activities.
Shoulder and Elbow Conditions
Shoulder and elbow pain may have several causes, including sports injuries, stress fractures, overuse problems like cartilage and muscle tears, osteoarthritis, damaged or inflamed tissues, trauma, sprains, strains, bone spurs and more.
Shoulder and elbow conditions orthopedic specialists treat include:
- Shoulder instability and dislocation
- Biceps tendon rupture
- Elbow strains
- Arthritis of the shoulder
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis
- Tennis and golf elbow
- Torn rotator cuff
- Rotator cuff tendonitis (also called impingement syndrome)
- Frozen shoulder
- Fractures
- Bone spurs and damaged or inflamed tissues
- Conditions caused by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
Diagnosing Shoulder and Elbow Conditions
Your physician may perform a physical, or order tests to help determine the cause of your shoulder and elbow pain.
NHRMC Health and Diagnostics offers advanced imaging services at New Hanover Regional Medical Center and the Orthopedic Hospital, as well as through outpatient locations around the region.
Diagnostic radiology services include CT scans, diagnostic x-rays, ultrasound, and MRI.
Treatment of Shoulder and Elbow Conditions
Many shoulder and elbow conditions can be treated non-surgically. Orthopedic specialists will first determine if there are ways to help reduce pain and restore function before recommending surgery.
Non-surgical treatments include physical therapy and exercise, prescription or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, injection therapy to help relieve pain and promote better function, bracing or slings, and lifestyle modification.
Symptoms often improve or go away with rest, exercise, lifestyle modification and other non-surgical treatments.
Surgical Treatment for Shoulder and Elbow Conditions
When shoulder and elbow pain becomes chronic, fails to respond to non-surgical remedies, and begins to interfere with life’s daily activities, surgical treatments may be required. Meeting with an orthopedic specialist will provide you with options that best meet your individual needs.
Surgical options for shoulder and elbow conditions include arthroscopic surgery, rotator cuff repair, tendon and ligament reconstruction or repair, arthroscopic stabilization for dislocations, operative fixation of fractures, tennis and golfer's elbow release, and total shoulder replacement.
NHRMC Orthopedic Specialty Hospital
Shoulder and elbow surgeries at NHRMC Orthopedic Hospital are performed in a stand-alone dedicated facility in which staff is entirely focused on your orthopedic care. The largest orthopedic program in Eastern North Carolina, NHRMC Orthopedic Specialty Hospital offers eight operating rooms and a pre-op clinic outfitted specifically for orthopedic care, advanced imaging and diagnostic equipment, surgical suites, and rehabilitation services.
Finding an Orthopedic Specialist
25 board-certified or board-eligible orthopedic surgeons are on the medical staff at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. The practices have office locations Wilmington, Burgaw, Jacksonville, Leland, Porters Neck, and Whiteville to better serve people throughout southeastern North Carolina.
Visit our Physician Directory to find an orthopedic physician who specializes in shoulder and elbow conditions and care.
Recovery
Our commitment to exceptional orthopedic care continues after surgery with specialized services to ensure a smooth transition to full recovery. Therapists with NHRMC Rehabilitation Services start working with patients before they leave the hospital and are available to assist with ongoing, outpatient therapy after discharge from the hospital.
If Home Care services are needed, NHRMC staff will work with you to set up visits with the home care agency of your choice, including NHRMC Home Care, an affiliate of New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
More Information on Shoulder and Elbow Conditions
For more information, please visit our Health Encyclopedia.
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