Shoulder and Elbow Pain Treatment in New Jersey
Understanding the Shoulder Joint
The shoulder joint is a complex arrangement of bones, tendons, and muscles that connects the humerus (upper arm bone), scapula (shoulder blade), and clavicle (collarbone). Its stability and movement are primarily controlled by a group of muscles and their tendons.- Rotator cuff: wraps around the joint to keep the head of the humerus centered in its socket.
- Deltoid: the large muscle, which gives the shoulder its rounded shape, is the main muscle responsible for lifting the arm.
- Biceps: a muscle that also plays a role in shoulder stability.
To improve joint congruency, the labrum deepens the shallow socket of the scapula. All these structures allow the shoulder to rotate through a greater range of motion than any other joint in the body and provide stability and support.
What is Shoulder Replacement Surgery?
To understand the different types of shoulder replacement, it's important to know the two main parts of the joint. The shoulder is a "ball-and-socket" joint. The "ball" is the top of your upper arm bone (the humeral head) and the "socket" is a shallow, cup-like surface on your shoulder blade (the glenoid). Surgery is needed when the cartilage on the ball and/or the socket wears away, causing pain and stiffness.
Understanding the Elbow
The elbow is a hinge joint that connects the humerus (upper arm bone) with the two bones of the forearm, the radius and the ulna. Its stability and movement are primarily controlled by a group of muscles and their tendons. Its stability and movement are primarily controlled by a group of muscles and their tendons.- Biceps: The primary muscle on the front of the upper arm responsible for bending the elbow and rotating the forearm.
- Triceps: The large muscle on the back of the upper arm responsible for straightening the elbow.
- Forearm Muscles: A group of muscles that attach near the elbow and are responsible for wrist and hand movements.
Treatment Options for Shoulder and Elbow Pain
We regularly treat problems such as:
- Shoulder fractures
- Shoulder instability
- Frozen shoulder
- Labrum tears
- Tendonitis
- Rotator cuff
- SLAP lesions
- Tennis elbow
- Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) pain
Since many orthopedic problems have more than one treatment option, our surgeons work closely with specialists in other fields to ensure that every patient receives exactly the right kind of treatment for their pain and condition. Our goal is the same as yours — to restore your function and range of motion so you can get back to doing the things you enjoy free of shoulder and elbow pain.
We offer the following non-surgical and surgical treatments for shoulder and elbow pain:
Find A Shoulder and Elbow Specialist or Learn More About Our Orthopedic Expertise
Search our network of orthopedic experts, browse our care locations across New Jersey, or learn more about why you should choose Hackensack Meridian Health to diagnose and treat your shoulder and elbow pain.
Find A Shoulder and Elbow Expert
We have more than 30 shoulder and elbow experts available throughout New Jersey, many of whom are listed in New Jersey’s and New York’s “Top Doctors.”
Find A Shoulder and Elbow Care Location
Our team of expert orthopedic specialists have offices across New Jersey. Find a location close to home.
Excellence in Orthopedic Surgery
Hackensack University Medical Center is nationally ranked in Orthopedics, and several hospitals are named High Performing in Procedures and Conditions for Hip Fracture, Hip Replacement and Knee Replacement by U.S. News & World Report in 2024.
A Personalized Care Approach
Our board-certified specialists are nationally and internationally recognized as clinical and research leaders in orthopedics. With expertise in treating shoulder and elbow pain, our specialists perform more than 300 surgeries annually, achieving a low rate of complications or infections. This reflects the high-quality care we provide to patients seeking relief from pain and improved mobility.
To further support shoulder and elbow recovery, we offer a comprehensive rehabilitation program tailored to help reduce pain and restore function, including acute rehab, sub-acute rehab, home care, and outpatient therapy. With a team of surgeons who have extensive experience and are dedicated to helping patients manage pain and improve function.
Treatment for Sports-Related Shoulder and Elbow Injuries
The board-certified specialists within our Sports Medicine program are highly experienced in diagnosing and treating pain associated with a wide array of sports injuries, including those to the shoulder, elbow, ankle, knee and hip. We also provide a Sports Medicine and Pain Management Rehabilitation program.
24/7 Care for Traumatic Orthopedic Injuries
Our orthopedic trauma team has extensive experience treating pain from fractures and other musculoskeletal injuries such as ligament or tendon tears and joint dislocations. Every team member is dedicated to providing you with the most advanced service and treatment available to help alleviate your pain and heal your injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
Patient Resources
How to Relieve Shoulder Pain When Lifting Your Arm
What causes shoulder pain when you lift your arms, and how can you relieve that discomfort and pain? Our expert weighs in.
How Alignment Affects Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain? Dr. Mehta explains how misalignment causes discomfort. Learn how to improve posture and prevent future pain. Call 800-822-8905.
Retired Police Officer Finds Relief with Shoulder Replacement
Southern Ocean Medical Center’s orthopedic team helps a retired police officer with a third shoulder operation.
Shoulder Pain Without Injury: Top 6 Causes and How to Find Relief
Learn about common causes of shoulder pain without injury and how to find relief. Discover treatment options from experts at Hackensack Meridian Health.