From sports medicine to trauma care, the specialists at MedStar Orthopaedic Institute are shaping the future of medicine. Our shoulder and elbow surgery team is one of the largest in Maryland, with orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine specialists, and therapists working together to develop a treatment plan just for you.
Nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report for orthopedics, we are Maryland’s only robotic orthopedics specialty center. MedStar Health shoulder and elbow specialists can evaluate your pain at 12 convenient locations spanning Central Maryland:
How we can help you.
Fellowship-trained surgeons.
What patients are saying.
Ravens Cheerleader Recovers from Labral Tear
"My doctor was the total package of technique, caring and success. Everything worked exactly the way and when he said it would. And the staff was caring."
-Isabel Kurek, Photographer, Equestrian, Rotator Cuff Patient
"I woke up in recovery after surgery and was back in the comfort of my own home by dinner."
-Geoff Miller, Director of Athletics, Goucher College, Lifelong Athlete, Shoulder Patient
Conditions That May Require Surgery
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Shoulder Instability and Labrum Tears
The labrum is a soft fibrous tissue rim surrounding the shoulder socket. It helps stabilize the joint and serves as an attachment site for several ligaments. Labrum injuries can occur from acute trauma such as a fall, strain from exercise, or repetitive shoulder motion.
Tears can be located either above or below the middle of the shoulder socket. Symptoms of a tear in the shoulder socket rim are similar to those of other sports and overuse shoulder injuries and can include:
- Pain
- A sense of instability
- Decreased range of motion
Nonsurgical treatment options include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and rest. If these treatments are not enough to control your pain, we may recommend arthroscopic or open shoulder surgery, depending on the injury.
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Shoulder and Elbow Fractures and Trauma
Sports-related, acute, and overuse injuries we often treat include:
- Breaking your collarbone (clavicle)
- Shoulder separation or instability
- Proximal humerus fractures (broken shoulder bones)
- Humeral shaft fractures
- Complex elbow fractures
- Dislocations
Many types of shoulder and elbow injuries can be treated with the latest nonsurgical and surgical techniques. Talk with your doctor about treatment options for your specific injury and lifestyle.
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Throwing Injuries
Overhead throwing places high stress on the shoulder, specifically to the area that keeps the shoulder stable. When one shoulder structure—such as the ligament system—becomes weakened due to repetitive stresses, other structures must handle the overload. As a result, a wide range of overuse injuries can occur in throwing athletes.
The rotator cuff and labrum are the most vulnerable to throwing injuries. Common treatments for throwing injuries are:
- SLAP repair (superior labrum, anterior to posterior)
- Internal bracing with ligament repair
- UCL (ulnar collateral ligament) reconstruction, also known as Tommy John surgery
Innovative Shoulder & Elbow Surgery Options
The fellowship-trained specialists at the MedStar Health Orthopaedic Institute have extensive knowledge and skill in diagnosing and treating even the most complex shoulder and elbow conditions. We have developed new techniques using the latest sports medicine and orthopedic technology for elbow reconstruction, rotator cuff tendon healing, and shoulder replacement surgeries to improve patient outcomes.
As thought leaders and researchers, our surgeons teach other orthopedic surgeons across the US how to perform effective, intricate elbow and shoulder procedures.
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Arthroscopy
Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure to treat a variety of sports-related and acute shoulder conditions, including rotator cuff weakness, labral tears, and shoulder instability. This procedure removes damaged tissue using small incisions, providing a more accurate repair with less pain, minimal scarring, and a faster recovery.
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Elbow Surgeries
Our experts take care of all elbow disorders ranging from tennis elbow and biceps ruptures to complex revision surgery and ligament reconstructions. If elbow pain prevents you from doing what you love, talk with a specialist to determine your personalized treatment options.
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Shoulder and Elbow Revision Surgery
Our doctors are adept in performing revision surgery for shoulder and elbow disorders, including replacements, arthroscopic procedures, and fixing periprosthetic fractures (fractures near a previous replacement). We will discuss your options with you and help you make informed decisions about your revisional surgery and recovery plan.
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Shoulder and Elbow Specialists
Meet our sports medicine and shoulder arthroscopy specialists
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Sports Medicine and Shoulder Arthroscopy Specialists