Brendan Patterson, MD, with simulated shoulder patient in the orthopedics clinic at UI Health Care Medical Center North Liberty on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

Shoulder Pain and Injury

Request an Appointment
For all requests:
1-319-356-2223
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 

Osteoarthritis 

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 

Our Care Team

Matthew J. Bollier, MD, FAOA portrait

Matthew J.
Bollier
MD, FAOA

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.59 out of 5 (1,434 ratings)
Joseph W. Galvin, DO portrait

Joseph W.
Galvin
DO

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.74 out of 5 (323 ratings)
James V. Nepola, MD portrait

James V.
Nepola
MD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.69 out of 5 (2,027 ratings)
Brendan Patterson, MD, MPH portrait

Brendan
Patterson
MD, MPH

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.80 out of 5 (2,295 ratings)
Michael S. Rocca, MD portrait

Michael S.
Rocca
MD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
Robert W. Westermann, MD portrait

Robert W.
Westermann
MD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.67 out of 5 (1,179 ratings)
Brian Wolf, MD, MS portrait

Brian
Wolf
MD, MS

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.71 out of 5 (1,011 ratings)
Timothy W. Thomsen, MD portrait

Timothy W.
Thomsen
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.79 out of 5 (658 ratings)
Terese Whipple, MD portrait

Terese
Whipple
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
Britt Marcussen, MD portrait

Britt
Marcussen
MD

  • Family Medicine
  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.63 out of 5 (1,072 ratings)
Tyler Slayman, MD portrait

Tyler
Slayman
MD

  • Family Medicine
  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.75 out of 5 (1,796 ratings)
Rahul M. Bijlani, MD portrait

Rahul M.
Bijlani
MD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.93 out of 5 (193 ratings)
Than Pham, DO, PharmD portrait

Than
Pham
DO, PharmD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.77 out of 5 (671 ratings)
Ashlee L. Enzinger, MD, FAAP, CAQSM portrait

Ashlee L.
Enzinger
MD, FAAP, CAQSM

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.59 out of 5 (517 ratings)
Andy Peterson, MD, MSPH portrait

Andy
Peterson
MD, MSPH

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.54 out of 5 (1,289 ratings)
Adeeb Oweidat, MD, DESAIC portrait

Adeeb
Oweidat
MD, DESAIC

  • Anesthesia
Lisa Woodroffe, MD, CAQSM portrait

Lisa
Woodroffe
MD, CAQSM

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.74 out of 5 (570 ratings)
Laura Conner, MPAS, PA-C, MA, ATC, LAT, CES portrait

Laura
Conner
MPAS, PA-C, MA, ATC, LAT, CES

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.90 out of 5 (657 ratings)
Damon Jordan, PA-C portrait

Damon
Jordan
PA-C

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
Laura Magrane, MPAS, PA-C, MAT portrait

Laura
Magrane
MPAS, PA-C, MAT

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.83 out of 5 (815 ratings)
Megan Pearson, MPAS, PA-C, RD portrait

Megan
Pearson
MPAS, PA-C, RD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.86 out of 5 (773 ratings)
Jordan Peterson, MPAS, PA-C portrait

Jordan
Peterson
MPAS, PA-C

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
Brenna Russell, MPAS, PA-C portrait

Brenna
Russell
MPAS, PA-C

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.83 out of 5 (542 ratings)
Courtney Seffker, MPAS, PA-C portrait

Courtney
Seffker
MPAS, PA-C

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.70 out of 5 (424 ratings)
Lance Shirley, MPAS, PA-C portrait

Lance
Shirley
MPAS, PA-C

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.77 out of 5 (591 ratings)
Michelle Connell, PT, DPT, ATC portrait

Michelle
Connell
PT, DPT, ATC

Tyler Johnston, PT, DPT, SCS portrait

Tyler
Johnston
PT, DPT, SCS

Michael Shaffer, PT, MSPT, OCS, ATC portrait

Michael
Shaffer
PT, MSPT, OCS, ATC

Kolleen Shields, PT, MA portrait

Kolleen
Shields
PT, MA

Barbara Van Gorp, DPT, PT, OCS, CSCS portrait

Barbara
Van Gorp
DPT, PT, OCS, CSCS

  • Rehabilitation Therapies
Jason Willer, PT, MPT portrait

Jason
Willer
PT, MPT

  • Rehabilitation Therapies
Elayne Pregon, MSN, ARNP, FNP-C portrait

Elayne
Pregon
MSN, ARNP, FNP-C

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.83 out of 5 (618 ratings)
Madisson Miller, MOT, OTR/L, CHT, CSCS portrait

Madisson
Miller
MOT, OTR/L, CHT, CSCS

  • Rehabilitation Therapies
Anna Allsup, PTA, ATC/L portrait

Anna
Allsup
PTA, ATC/L

Need relief from shoulder pain?

When you call, we'll connect you with a shoulder expert.
Call 1-319-356-2223

Locations and Offices

Orthopedic Clinic Floor 5
Elevator A, Level 5
1-319-356-2223
Clinic
MCNL Ortho Clinic 5th Floor
In Medical Center North Liberty
701 W. Forevergreen Road, North Liberty, IA 52317
Sports Medicine, Iowa City
Level 1
1-319-384-7070
Clinic
UI Health Care Sports Medicine facility exterior photo
In Iowa City, Prairie Meadow Drive
2701 Prairie Meadow Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242
Sports Medicine, North Liberty
Main entrance, level 1
1-319-356-2223
Clinic
Ortho walk in clinic MCNL
In Medical Center North Liberty
701 W. Forevergreen Road, North Liberty, IA 52317
Ortho Injury Walk-In Clinic
Main entrance, level 1
1-319-356-2223
Ortho Walk-In Clinic
Ortho walk in clinic MCNL
In Medical Center North Liberty
701 W. Forevergreen Road, North Liberty, IA 52317
Sports Medicine, Cedar Rapids
Suite 2300
1-319-731-1430
Clinic
Interior front desk of the new sports medicine location
In Cedar Rapids, 10th Street SE
411 10th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
Clinical Trials currently in progress
Browse all clinical trials in progress

Related Health Topics

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Patient Stories

New shoulder implant technology gives competitive bodybuilder a big lift—and a fresh perspective
July 15, 2025
UI Health Care orthopedic surgery team is the first in Iowa to use the pyrocarbon implant for patients with advanced shoulder arthritis. 
Michael Donahoo
UI Sports Medicine clinic helps CrossFit hopeful achieve her dreams
January 1, 2025
UI Sports Medicine is dedicated to helping athletes of all ages get back to doing what they love.
Deidre 3 CrossFit Games Dumbbell Highball Event, CrossFit Games Photo
Browse more patient stories

Related News

UI Hospitals & Clinics studies virtual physical therapy after shoulder replacement
October 4, 2022
Patients offered chance to do therapy at home 
Tim McHugh, shoulder surgery patient enjoys fishing

Educational Resources

Antibiotics after joint replacement
Shoulder replacement follow-ups and emergencies
Medicines to avoid before and after total shoulder arthroplasty
Care after total shoulder arthroplasty
Risks of total shoulder arthroplasty
Hospital stay after total shoulder arthroplasty
On the day of total shoulder arthroplasty
Before your total shoulder arthroplasty
Shoulder injuries and shoulder anatomy
Antibiotics and joint replacements