Recommended shoulder surgeons

What does a shoulder surgeon do?

A shoulder surgeon is an orthopedist specialized in the diagnosis, treatment and surgical interventions of the structures that compose this joint. Unlike general orthopedists, this professional focuses exclusively on complex issues such as rotator cuff ruptures, joint instabilities and other specific conditions. Their work ranges from precise diagnoses to advanced treatments, helping to preserve mobility and function of this important joint in the long term.

Warning signs to seek specialized care

Persistent pain when performing simple daily movements, such as combing hair or reaching objects in high places, may indicate problems that need specialized evaluation. Sensations of instability, frequent clicking in the joint, decreased range of motion, weakness when raising the arm or nighttime pain that interferes with sleep are important signs.

Early intervention is fundamental to avoid complications and increase chances of complete recovery of joint function. Seeking a specialist as soon as the first symptoms appear can make all the difference in prognosis and treatment.

Main conditions treated by the specialist

Rotator cuff injury

This injury affects the tendons responsible for stabilizing the joint. It can occur due to trauma or progressive wear, resulting in pain and significant limitation of movements, especially when raising the arm above the head.

Joint instability

Characterized when the humeral head comes out partially or totally from the glenoid cavity. After the first episode, recurrence becomes more common, often requiring surgical intervention to restore stability.

Glenohumeral arthrosis

Represents the wear of cartilage that lines the joint. With progression, it causes pain, stiffness and crepitation, significantly affecting the patient's quality of life.

Adhesive capsulitis

Also known as "frozen shoulder", it is characterized by thickening and retraction of the joint capsule, causing intense pain and severe reduction of mobility in all directions.

Modern therapeutic approaches

Treatments performed by the specialist vary according to the nature and severity of the injury, from conservative approaches to advanced surgical procedures:

Arthroscopy

Minimally invasive procedure that uses a small camera inserted through minimal incisions to visualize and treat internal problems. It allows repairing rotator cuff injuries, removing loose fragments and treating instabilities with less surgical trauma and faster recovery.

Rotator cuff repair

Performed when there is rupture of stabilizing tendons. The specialist reattaches the ruptured tendons to the bone, restoring function and relieving pain. This procedure can be performed by arthroscopy or open surgery, depending on the extent of the injury.

Joint stabilization

In cases of recurrent instability, surgical stabilization may be necessary. It involves repair of injured structures, such as the glenoid labrum and ligaments, preventing new dislocations and returning stability to the joint.

Arthroplasty (prosthesis)

Indicated when there is extensive damage to the joint, as in advanced arthrosis. There are different types of prostheses, from partial to reverse, each with specific indications, providing pain relief and functional improvement.

The importance of prevention

Prevention goes beyond treating existing conditions; it includes education about strengthening and joint protection practices. Specific exercises to strengthen stabilizing muscles, correct techniques for sports activities and ergonomic guidance for the work environment are fundamental to avoid future complications.

Control of risk factors such as excessive use in repetitive activities, inadequate postures and muscle imbalances is essential to maintain good joint health. Professional follow-up in these aspects contributes significantly to preventing serious problems.

Impact on quality of life

Scientific studies prove that the health of this joint is directly related to quality of life and functional capacity. Untreated injuries can lead to significant limitations in daily activities, from simple tasks like dressing to physical exercise practice and professional performance.

Being fundamental for most upper limb movements, problems in this joint directly affect independence and general well-being. Adequate care not only prevents pain and physical limitations, but also contributes positively to mental health, since functional disability is frequently associated with anxiety and depression.

When to seek specialized care?

It is recommended to consult a specialist whenever there is persistent pain for more than two weeks, especially if it increases with specific movements or during the night. This evaluation helps identify problems early, before they become more serious and difficult to treat.

Direct trauma, such as falls or sudden movements that cause intense pain or sensation of displacement, are also important reasons to seek specialized care. The sooner treatment begins, the greater the chances of complete recovery and prevention of chronic complications.

To ensure you are choosing the best professional, consult doctor evaluations on platforms like AvaliaMed, where you can verify other patients' experiences and make a more informed decision about the necessary specialized care.

How to find a reliable specialist

Finding a qualified professional is essential to ensure excellent treatment. Verify their specific training in shoulder and elbow surgery, in addition to proven experience in this area. Platforms like AvaliaMed offer doctor evaluations and opinions from other patients, facilitating identification of well-evaluated and experienced specialists.

Seek professionals who use modern technologies and surgical techniques, ensuring efficient care adequate to your specific needs. This contributes to better results, faster recovery and fewer complications.

Technological innovations and advanced techniques

Surgery of this joint has advanced significantly with technologies that make procedures more precise and less invasive. High-definition 4K arthroscopy allows visualizing internal structures with exceptional detail, facilitating precise diagnoses and effective interventions.

Three-dimensional navigation systems and augmented reality are fundamental for planning complex surgeries, enabling personalized and safe approaches. These technologies help the specialist predict challenges and make more precise decisions even before starting the procedure.

Tissue engineering and use of biological materials represent a promise to improve healing and tendon regeneration after reparative surgeries. Although some of these techniques are in research phase, they already offer alternatives for complex cases difficult to resolve.

Professional training and specialization

To become a specialist in this area, the doctor needs to complete not only medical graduation and orthopedic residency, but also specific subspecialization in shoulder and elbow surgery, which generally lasts one to two years after residency.

During this period, the professional acquires in-depth knowledge about joint biomechanics, advanced surgical techniques and new prosthetic materials. Continuous training is essential, since techniques and technologies are constantly evolving, requiring permanent updating.

Relationship with sports medicine

This specialty and sports medicine are complementary areas in modern orthopedics. Many specialists also work in treating athletes, as injuries in this joint are extremely common in various sports, especially those involving throws and repetitive arm movements.

Specific knowledge about the demands of each sport modality is fundamental for adequate treatment and safe return to sports practice. The sports medicine specialist develops personalized rehabilitation and prevention protocols adapted to the specific needs of each athlete.

Special care for elderly patients

With aging, this joint suffers natural degenerative alterations that can be aggravated by factors such as osteoporosis and decreased vascularization. Rotator cuff injuries are particularly common in this age group and frequently present different characteristics from those observed in younger patients.

Recommendations for elderly patients

It is important to perform preventive orthopedic evaluations regularly after 60 years, maintain a muscle strengthening program adapted to individual conditions and consider therapeutic approaches that consider bone quality and comorbidities frequent in this phase of life.

Image-guided surgery

Image-guided surgery has revolutionized procedures in this joint. Use of intraoperative ultrasonography allows real-time visualization of important structures such as tendons and ligaments, increasing intervention precision.

Computerized navigation systems create three-dimensional maps of the patient's specific anatomy, guiding the surgeon during complex procedures such as arthroplasties. This approach significantly reduces complication risk and improves implant positioning.

Joint microbiome and infection prevention

The study of joint microbiome (set of microorganisms that inhabit joints) is an emerging area in orthopedics. Recent research shows that alterations in this microbiome can influence inflammatory and healing processes after surgeries.

Advanced prevention protocols include not only traditional antibiotic therapy, but also measures to preserve beneficial microbiome. The modern specialist uses techniques such as laminar flow systems in the operating room and materials with antimicrobial properties to reduce infectious risks.

Innovative biological therapies

In addition to conventional procedures, biological therapies have shown promising results. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) uses growth factors from the patient's own blood to stimulate tendon and ligament healing.

Use of mesenchymal stem cells represents another innovative approach that assists in tissue regeneration. These therapies frequently complement surgical procedures, potentializing results in cases of complex degenerative injuries or with low healing potential.

Systemic diseases and their impact on treatments

Conditions such as diabetes, autoimmune diseases and osteoporosis significantly affect surgery results and require specific care. The specialist works in collaboration with other doctors to optimize clinical conditions before and after procedures.

Multidisciplinary approach is essential in these cases, combining adequate disease control by the specialist doctor, surgical techniques adapted to particularities of each condition and personalized rehabilitation protocols that consider limitations imposed by the base disease.

Impact of remote work on joint health

The increase in remote work in recent years has generated a new epidemic of problems related to inadequate ergonomics. Long hours in incorrect positions, absence of regular breaks and use of inappropriate furniture contribute to increased cases of impingement syndrome and tendinopathies.

The modern specialist considers occupational factors when developing treatment plans. Frequently, workplace modifications and active breaks are recommended as essential part of the therapeutic protocol, preventing recurrences and symptom chronification.

Post-surgical rehabilitation

After surgical intervention, adequate rehabilitation is as important as the procedure itself. This phase involves a progressive program of specific exercises, divided into stages that respect the biological process of healing of repaired structures.

The specialist works together with physiotherapists to ensure optimal functional results. Modern rehabilitation uses technologies such as biofeedback and virtual reality to increase treatment adherence and allow precise adjustments in the exercise program according to each patient's individual evolution.

Why choose AvaliaMed for your consultation with a shoulder surgeon

Shoulder surgery is a crucial specialty of orthopedics, designed to recover function and relieve pain in patients with injuries in this complex joint. With advances in technologies and treatments, results are increasingly effective and less invasive.

When seeking a qualified shoulder surgeon, the AvaliaMed platform offers a reliable solution, bringing together registered professionals with detailed evaluations from real patients. This tool allows you to make an informed choice, ensuring that your treatment is performed by a highly qualified specialist, based on the most recent innovations and practices in the orthopedic area.