Shoulder Pain and Injury

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For all other requests:: 1-800-777-8442

Is shoulder pain making daily activities difficult or keeping you awake at night?

University of Iowa Health Care shoulder specialists can help you find relief.

Iowa's leading shoulder surgeons and physical therapists are part of our orthopedics and sports medicine care teams.

These teams also treat Iowa Hawkeyes athletes and players from the U.S. Soccer Federation and USA Rugby.

Experts in the latest surgical and nonsurgical treatments, they'll create a personalized care plan for you.

Whether you have a common condition or a complex issue, you'll benefit from their years of experience and expertise. You may also be able to take part in research and clinical trials not available anywhere else in Iowa.

Your care team focuses on relieving your shoulder pain, helping you heal, and getting you back to the activities you love.

Customized treatment for your unique needs

With the right treatment, many people with shoulder pain don't need surgery.

UI Health Care offers the newest and most effective nonsurgical treatment options. Your care plan might include:

Medications

Anti-inflammatories, pain medications, and injectable steroids or joint lubricants can calm inflammation and relieve pain.

Physical Therapy

An experienced physical or occupational therapist will make a customized plan based on your goals and needs. Therapy can help reduce your pain, increase your strength, and restore your range of motion.

Regenerative Medicine

UI Health Care is home to a groundbreaking, evidence-based regenerative medicine program. This innovative treatment involves injecting cells from your own blood, fat tissue, or bone marrow to repair your shoulder joint and tissues.

The latest innovations in surgery

If surgery is the best way to treat your shoulder problem, you'll benefit from our team's surgical expertise and innovation.

UI Health Care orthopedic surgeons perform the most advanced shoulder procedures available for every type of shoulder injury.

For example, new ways to fix severe rotator cuff tears include biological "scaffolds" for stronger repairs and spacers that keep bone from rubbing on bone.

When possible, our team performs arthroscopic and minimally invasive surgeries. These procedures offer shorter hospital stays, less pain, and faster recovery.

High-Tech tool for personalized planning

Our surgeons are helping to pioneer state-of-the-art surgical planning software designed to ensure the best possible outcome for your surgery.

This tool helps your surgeon plan shoulder replacement surgery and other procedures down to the millimeter. It also creates implants and surgical tools customized for your body.

The UI Health Care team is the only one in the state using this leading-edge technology.

Shoulder pain and injury tests and treatments

AC joint reconstruction

Anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty

Anti-inflammatory medication

Arthroscopy

Biceps tendon repair

Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction study

Joint lubricant injection

Labral repair

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Occupational therapy

Pain medications

Partial shoulder arthroplasty (hemiarthroplasty)

Physical therapy

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections

Reconstructive shoulder surgery

Regenerative medicine

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty

Revision shoulder replacement 

Rotator cuff repair

Shoulder fracture repair 

Shoulder replacement (arthroplasty)

Shoulder stabilization (capsulorrhaphy)

Stem cell therapy

Steroid injection

Superior capsular reconstruction

Tendon repair

Tendon transfer

Shoulder pain and injury conditions treated

Acromioclavicular (AC) joint injury

AC joint separation

AC joint arthritis

Adhesive capsulitis

Bicep tendon disorders

Calcific tendinitis

Dislocated shoulder

Frozen shoulder

Glenoid labrum tear

Labral tear

Pectoralis tear

Proximal biceps injury

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rotator cuff tendonitis

Rotator cuff tears

Scapula disorders

Shoulder arthritis

Shoulder dislocation/separation

Shoulder impingement/bursitis

Shoulder instability

Superior labrum anterior to posterior (SLAP) tears 

Thrower’s shoulder

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Need relief from shoulder pain?

When you call, we'll connect you with a shoulder expert.

Call 1-319-356-2223