Shoulder & Elbow Pain

Suffering from Shoulder or Elbow Pain?

At St. Elizabeth Healthcare, we are experts in all things joint-related, including shoulder and elbow. St. Elizabeth provides highly specialized, comprehensive treatment for patients of all ages suffering from shoulder and elbow pain. Our goal is to minimize pain and maximize function, helping you return to work and your daily life.

Common Causes of Shoulder & Elbow Pain

Shoulder

Your shoulder joint is made up of the upper arm bone (humerus), the shoulder blade (scapula), and the collarbone (clavicle). A ball on the top of your humerus fits into a socket (glenoid) in your shoulder blade. The rotator cuff, a combination of muscles and tendons, attaches the head of your humerus to your shoulder blade and keeps the joint stable.

Elbow

The elbow joint is made up of the two bones of the forearm—the radius on the thumb side of the arm and the ulna on the small finger side—and the upper arm bone, the humerus. Like all joints, it’s surrounded by ligaments, tendons and muscles that work with the bones to allow you to lift and twist your lower arm.

  • Arthritis — Inflammation caused by wear and tear (osteoarthritis), autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis), or injury (avascular necrosis).

  • Bursitis — Another overuse condition, when the protective sacs in the joint become inflamed.

  • Dislocation — Can happen with a fall on an outstretched hand.

  • Fracture — Occurs when one of your arm bones breaks due to sudden impact, such as with a fall or auto accident. It is recommended that you see an orthopaedic surgeon for any fracture.

  • Ligament injuries — Strains or tears that often occur with athletes.

  • Nerve conditions — Numbness, tingling or pain caused when nerves become pinched or entrapped, such as in carpal tunnel syndrome.

  • Osteochondritis dissecans — Caused when the bone under the cartilage dies and sometimes breaks loose.

  • Rotator cuff tear — A partial or full tear can be caused by a sudden injury, like a fall, or over time with overuse..

  • Tendinitis — The most common cause of elbow pain results in overuse, such as tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow.

Meet Your Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons

Ronald Auer, MD

Ronald Auer, MD

James Baker, MD

James Baker, MD

John Fritch, MD

John Fritch, MD

Michael Greiwe, MD

Michael Greiwe, MD

Bruce Holladay, MD

Bruce Holladay, MD

Brandon Kohrs, Do

Brandon Kohrs, DO

John Larkin, MD

John Larkin, MD

Adam Metzler, MD

Adam Metzler, MD

Robert Pettit, MD

Robert Pettit, MD

Jonathan Slaughter, MD

Jonathan Slaughter, MD

Brian Wissel, MD

Brian Wissel, MD

Meet Your Non-Surgical Orthopedic Doctors

Kevin Bonfield, MD

Kevin Bonfield, MD

Tyler Browning, MD

Tyler Browning, MD

Aloiya Kremer, MD

Aloiya Kremer, MD

Is your shoulder & elbow pain bothering you?

Schedule an appointment with Sports Medicine

Contact our Sports Medicine physicians for a treatment plan tailored to you. Call (859) 212-5600 to make an appointment.

Surgical Options

If surgery is necessary, our physicians can provide a referral to one of our affiliated orthopaedic surgeons. For more information on surgical options, please contact us at askortho@stelizabeth.com.