A caregiver examining a patient's shoulder pain.

Shoulder Surgery

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Sometimes shoulder pain goes away on its own. But when it doesn’t, surgery might be the way to go.

When treatments like rest, ice, medication and physical therapy don’t work, shoulder surgery can often relieve constant pain and help your shoulder move better again.

Cleveland Clinic’s team of expert orthopaedic providers will go over surgery options with you and let you know what to expect with recovery and follow-up. We’ll help you understand what it takes to move forward with treatment and get your shoulder working like it should again.

Why Choose Cleveland Clinic for Shoulder Surgery?

Personalized care:

Our skilled orthopaedic surgeons treat all types of shoulder conditions — from the simplest to the most complex. We work with you to make sure you get the best treatment and recovery plan for your needs. Meet our team.

Skilled collaborative providers:

Shoulder problems happen for many reasons. That means you may need to see providers from different specialties. At Cleveland Clinic, you’ll get the care you need from the providers you need. Your team works together to give you personalized, comprehensive treatment.

Minimally invasive options:

Our orthopaedic surgeons do minimally invasive procedures whenever possible. This can help you move and strengthen your shoulder sooner, so you may be able to recover faster.

Virtual visits:

Not all appointments need to be in person. For some follow-ups, you can meet with your provider one-on-one in a virtual visit. All you need is an internet connection and a smartphone, computer or tablet to get connected.

National recognition:

Cleveland Clinic is a trusted healthcare leader. We're recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for our expertise and care.

Shoulder Surgery Consultation at Cleveland Clinic

We try to treat most shoulder conditions without surgery. But sometimes it’s the best option. Shoulder surgery is a common way to repair damage from wear and tear or injuries, like:

What to expect at your first visit

When you come to see us about your shoulder pain, the first thing we’ll do is listen. Understanding your pain and how it’s affecting your life can help us decide if surgery is right for you. During your appointment, your provider will ask:

When did you first notice the pain?
What were you doing?
What’s your pain like (dull, stabbing or throbbing)?
What makes it better or worse?
What medications do you take?
Where and when do you get pain?
Have you tried other treatments?

You’ll also have a physical exam. Your provider will take a close look at your shoulder. They’ll check for bruising, pain, swelling and how well you can move your shoulder (range of motion). They may also do imaging tests to look for damage to your bones, joints, ligaments and tendons. These tests may include:

Meet Our Shoulder Surgery Team

There are many reasons why you may need shoulder surgery. So you may need to have providers from different specialties planning your treatment. At Cleveland Clinic, you’ll have a care team of providers who’ll work together to personalize your surgery and recovery to best fit your needs. Your team may include:

Providers Who Perform Shoulder Surgery

Locations

Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio, Florida and London.

Having Shoulder Surgery at Cleveland Clinic

If you and your providers decide surgery is the best way to treat your shoulder pain, we’ll talk about which type of surgery you should have. Your provider might recommend:

Shoulder arthroscopy

During minimally invasive shoulder arthroscopy, we make several small incisions (cuts) in your shoulder. We’ll repair and remove inflamed tissue using small tools. You may have general anesthesia, where you’ll be asleep and/or regional (local) anesthesia that’ll numb your shoulder and arm. With shoulder arthroscopy, you can usually go home the same day you have the procedure.

Open-shoulder surgery

We may recommend open-shoulder surgery if you have a more complex problem where we need to reach certain ligaments and tendons. We make one large incision in your shoulder and insert small instruments to repair your injury. You’ll be under general anesthesia, but we may also numb the area with regional anesthesia. Often, you can go home the same day, but sometimes you may need to stay overnight in the hospital.

Shoulder replacement surgery

We may recommend shoulder replacement surgery if you have serious pain from shoulder joint damage. We often use joint replacement surgery (arthroplasty) to treat conditions, like avascular necrosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, rotator cuff injuries or severe trauma from a shoulder fracture.

There are several different types of shoulder replacement surgeries. The kind you have will depend on how badly your shoulder is damaged and what caused the damage. Your provider will go over the options with you.

You’ll have general anesthesia during shoulder replacement surgery, and regional anesthesia, too. Depending on the type of surgery you have, you may need to stay in the hospital for one to three days, or you might be able to go home the same day.

Recovering from shoulder surgery

How fast you recover and can return to your daily activities depends on the type of surgery you have and how long it takes to regain strength in your shoulder. You may need to keep your arm in a sling for up to six weeks. And you’ll probably need to have physical therapy to strengthen your shoulder and help you move it comfortably again. It’s important to know that even though you may start regaining strength within a few months, full recovery can take up to a year or more.

Taking the Next Step

You don’t have to live with constant shoulder pain that keeps you from moving your arm or reaching over your head. If other treatments haven’t worked, shoulder surgery might be the answer. Cleveland Clinic’s experienced orthopaedic providers can walk you through all of your options for surgery and let you know what to expect during recovery.