Shoulder

Orthopaedic shoulder surgery in Naperville

Naperville Orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Zahab S. Ahsan specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of Shoulder conditions and injuries. Shoulder problems can be activity limiting and affect your quality of life. Dr. Ahsan offers state-of-the-art and comprehensive sports medicine care for patients of all ages and activity levels with shoulder pain and injuries. Ranging common shoulder injuries such as rotator cuff and labral tears, to complex arthroscopic reconstructive surgery and shoulder replacement, Dr. Ahsan can help.

An overview on shoulder anatomy

The human shoulder consists of many structures that allows the joint to perform many intricate movements and athletic maneuvers. Shoulder structures can become injured from sporting movements, overuse, or traumatic incidents.

The shoulder joint is the largest in the body and is composed of four major structures – bones, cartilage, ligaments and tendons.

Three bones connect to form the shoulder joint:

• Humerus (Arm bone)
• Scapula (Shoulder Blade)
• Clavicle (Collar bone)

The shoulder is composed of three individual joints:

• Acromioclavicular (AC) joint – is located between the scapula and the clavicle. The AC joint forms the highest point of the shoulder and is responsible for the lifting ability of the shoulder.
• Sternoclavicular (SC) joint – The joint located at the center of the chest. This joint is responsible for allowing clavicle movement.
• Glenohumeral (GH) joint – This is the main ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder that is created by the glenoid portion of the scapula and the head of the humerus. This joint is responsible for the range of motion of the shoulder including rotation, upward and downward movement (flexion), as well as inward and outward (abduction) movement.

Each of the joints of the shoulder are lined with articular cartilage, a smooth surface that eliminates friction and allows the bones to glide smoothly with motion. Important structures of the shoulder joint include soft tissues that help stabilize, move and cushion the joint. These include:

• Rotator Cuff – A group of 4 muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint. The rotator cuff is responsible for holding the head of the humerus securely within the shallow socket of the shoulder. This grouping contributes to shoulder strength and stability.
• Labrum – A flexible cuff of cartilage tissue that forms a cup to hold the humerus located in the joint. The labrum provides stability for the ball and socket joint and prevents the two bones from separating from one another. The labrum can become torn when the shoulder dislocates or shifts.
• Biceps Tendon – The long head of the biceps tendon travels in a groove at the front of the shoulder prior to traversing the glenohumeral joint and attaching to the superior labrum. It is a common source of anterior shoulder pain and may be injured along with the rotator cuff and / or labrum.

Common shoulder injuries

• Rotator Cuff Tears
• Shoulder dislocation
• Labral Tears
• Biceps Tendon Injuries
• Subacromial Impingement

Many of the common shoulder injuries can be treated by a non-surgical approach. If surgery is needed, Dr. Ahsan will determine the most minimally invasive surgical technique to alleviate pain, improve shoulder stability and return the anatomy of the shoulder to its proper condition.

If you would like more information on shoulder anatomy and common shoulder injuries, contact Dr. Zahab Ahsan, orthopaedic shoulder specialist in Naperville, IL.