Shoulder & Elbow Treatment

At St. Elizabeth Healthcare, we are committed to finding a treatment that helps to relieve your elbow or shoulder pain, and the good news is you don’t always need surgery. There are some common pain signs that should lead you to see a doctor, which include:

  • Trouble sleeping due to pain.
  • A ripping or tearing sensation after a fall or when lifting.
  • Pain that radiates down the arm.
  • Weakness when lifting or holding an object with an outstretched arm.
  • No relief with anti-inflammatories.
  • Too painful to raise the arm above the shoulder level.

The St. Elizabeth Healthcare Orthopaedic team has the expertise and experience to diagnose the cause for your shoulder or elbow pain. We offer a wide range of treatments that allows for faster healing with less pain.

Nonsurgical Shoulder & Elbow Pain Treatments

Our specialists will talk through all of your care options including nonsurgical treatments. Your physician may prescribe a combination of exercises and physical therapy along with anti-inflammatory medicines to get the most effective combination of treatments.

  • RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) – You’ll get relief from pain for most conditions by taking time off and allowing the joint to heal. Ice packs wrapped in a towel and applied to the area for 20 minutes 4-8 times a day will help reduce inflammation caused by tendonitis, bursitis or rotator cuff issues. Compression with a wrap around the joint will help stabilize the joint and reduce swelling. Use a pillow to elevate the joint when you’re sleeping.

  • Anti-inflammatory medications – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) help relieve mild to moderate pain by reducing inflammation.

  • Exercise and physical therapy – improves muscle strength and flexibility; helps top reduce pain.

  • Injections – a corticosteroid (cortisone shot) can be given directly into the joint to reduce inflammation and pain.

  • Bracing or splinting – stabilizing the shoulder or elbow can help improve pain, especially when used with a combination of other non-surgical treatments.

A man with shoulder pain goes to the doctor, The doctor diagnoses the patient's arm pain and shoulder pain.

Learn More

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

Surgical Shoulder & Elbow Pain Treatments

Our affiliated surgeons have the expertise and experience you want when it comes to making the choice for shoulder or elbow surgery. Some conditions such tendon or muscle tears usually require surgery.

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

Contact Us

Is your shoulder or elbow pain bothering you?

Schedule an appointment with 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.