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Shoulder Surgery

Los Angeles Orthopaedic Center Our Services Shoulder Surgery
Los Angeles Orthopaedic Center - - Orthopedic Surgeon

Los Angeles Orthopaedic Center

Orthopedic Surgeons located in Downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

If you struggle with severe or ongoing shoulder pain, you don’t have to live with it. At Los Angeles Orthopaedic Center, located in Downtown Los Angeles, board-certified orthopaedic specialists Marc Samson, MD, Tae Shin, MD, and the expert team offer shoulder surgery using robotics and other advanced technology. Call the Los Angeles, California, office or schedule an appointment online today to find out if you’re a candidate for shoulder surgery.

Shoulder Surgery Q&A

What is shoulder surgery?

Shoulder surgery is a procedure in which your orthopaedic specialist repairs, removes, or replaces parts of your shoulder joint. This joint consists of bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage and connects your upper arm to the rest of your body. At the first sign of severe or ongoing shoulder pain, see the Los Angeles Orthopaedic Center team for an evaluation.

Why might I need shoulder surgery?

Your provider may recommend shoulder surgery if you experience:

  • Broken bones
  • Rotator cuff injuries
  • Severe pain
  • Ongoing discomfort
  • Arthritis joint degeneration
  • Severe sprains
  • Tendon ruptures
  • Torn cartilage 
  • Bone damage

You may be a candidate for shoulder surgery if conservative treatments, such as injections, regenerative medicine, and physical therapy haven't restored joint function or reduced pain.

Is shoulder surgery right for me?

To find out if shoulder surgery is right for you, your orthopaedic specialist reviews your symptoms and medical history. They examine your shoulder joint, look for signs of injury or disease, and assess pain levels, shoulder strength, and the joint’s range of motion. 

They may recommend you complete blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, or other imaging procedures. 

How should I prepare for shoulder surgery?

Follow your surgeon’s instructions prior to undergoing shoulder surgery. They may ask you to stop taking certain medications, avoid foods and drinks the morning of surgery, and arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home and stay with you after the procedure.

What happens during shoulder surgery?

Right before surgery, your provider gives you local or regional anesthesia with a sedative or general anesthesia that makes you fall asleep. They use robotics, arthroscopy, or other specialized surgical instruments to make a tiny incision in or near your shoulder joint. Your orthopaedic specialist repairs, removes, or replaces tissues (shoulder replacement) to restore the joint.

What should I expect after the procedure?

After shoulder surgery, you rest in a recovery area while the Los Angeles Orthopaedic Center medical team monitors you for a period of time. You might go home the same day or stay a night or two in the surgical center. 

Have someone drive you home and follow all of your post-surgery instructions. Wear a shoulder immobilizer or a sling to restrict arm and shoulder movement. Rest your shoulder joint, keep the surgical site clean and dry, take medications as directed, and ice the area to reduce swelling.

Attend follow-up appointments with your specialist to have staples or stitches removed and attend physical therapy sessions to regain shoulder strength, flexibility, and function. Avoid lifting or intense physical activity until your surgeon says it’s okay.

To find out if shoulder surgery is right for you, schedule an evaluation with Los Angeles Orthopaedic Center by phone or book online today.

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