Expect More from Your Shoulder Surgeon

Expertise: Board-Certified and Fellowship trained

Experience Matters - a Busy Shoulder pRactice since 2013

You deserve a surgeon who Communicates and cares

A surgeon who is also a human

Innovation where it matters

Surgery Review Video

Uniquely offered by Doctor Butzen to his patients

Included (free) with all shoulder arthroscopy surgeries (rotator cuff repairs, SLAP repairs, instability surgery)

Custom video review of the surgery, including review of the photos

Typically 5-10 minutes long, depending on the complexity of surgery

Communicates the surgery details and plan in the most effective way

Accessible online, HIPPAA compliant. Password protected

Can be watched over and over, and can be shared (physical therapists, family doctors, friends)

Common Shoulder Problems

A proper diagnosis is impossible to make over the internet. 

Please click here to schedule an in-person appointment with Dr. Butzen so that we can discuss your symptoms and develop a plan to get you feeling 100% again.  

Rotator Cuff Tear

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that cross the joint of the shoulder that helps keep the joint in place. The rotator cuff maintains stability of the shoulder joint and helps you to raise and rotate your arm. Rotator cuff tears can cause pain, weakness, or both. If the initial treatment with rest, anti-inflammatories, and physical therapy fail, surgery may be indicated.

Surgery for a rotator cuff tear typically involves repairing the tendon back to the tendon’s “footprint”, usually with bone anchors. There have been significant improvements in rotator cuff tear treatment with the advent of advanced shoulder arthroscopy, which has led to decreased pain, improved range of motion, and smaller scars. Recovery from such a surgery can be lengthy, but pain-free function with good strength can be restored.

Shoulder arthritis

Arthritis of the shoulder is simply wear and tear of the joint. The joint surface deteriorates and is no longer a smooth, shock-absorbing surface. This leads to pain and stiffness in the shoulder, with decreased function. Initial treatment of shoulder arthritis is similar to other arthritis treatments, and includes physical therapy, anti-inflammatories, and injections.

Total shoulder replacement is the definitive treatment for shoulder arthritis, which replaces the surfaces of the joint, with a metallic humeral head (ball) replacement, and a plastic gleaned (socket) replacement.

Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

A reverse total shoulder replacement is effective for treatment of an irreparable rotator cuff tear, with or without arthritis. It is also performed occasionally for a severe fracture of the upper part of the humerus (fracture of the ball of the shoulder). 

Clavicle Fracture

The clavicle (collarbone) acts as a connection between the shoulder and the sternum (front of rib cage), and maintains a functional relationship between the two. A fracture of the clavicle occurs commonly with a fall onto outside of the shoulder, such as a fall off a bicycle. These injuries can frequently be treated without surgery. When there is significant shortening of the bone, displacement, or large deformity, surgery can correct this and allow for more predictable results and can lead to improved shoulder function following healing.

Labral (SLAP) Tear

The labrum is the lip-like soft tissue structure that surrounds the bony socket of the shoulder. Also attached to the socket, with the labrum, is one of the two biceps tendons. The labrum can become detached or injured from a traumatic event (e.g. dislocation), or over time with abnormal shoulder motion (e.g. micro-trauma in throwing athletes). Typically, treatment begins with a period of rest, anti-inflammatories, and a comprehensive physical therapy program.

Surgery may be indicated if the symptoms fail to improve with conservative management, for more predictable results, or for certain types of labral tears. Like rotator cuff tears, there have been significant improvements in stiffness and pain with arthroscopic treatment, while maintaining quality and strength of the repair.

Shoulder Impingement

Impingement syndrome is a common disorder of the shoulder that refers to an improper alignment of the bones and tissues in the upper arm. If the rotator cuff becomes inflamed from overuse or there is a bone deformity or spur on the end of the shoulder blade, then the space between the humeral head and tip of the shoulder blade is narrowed, causing the rotator cuff and its fluid-filled bursa to be squeezed or pinched. This impingement of the tendon causes irritation and pain to the rotator cuff when the shoulder is raised. Treatment of impingement syndrome begins with conservative options like rest, anti-inflammatories and physical therapy. Frequently, a cortisone injection is effective to improve symptoms. Rarely, surgery is indicated for symptoms that fail to improve.

Frozen Shoulder 

Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a condition in which the tissues around the shoulder joint stiffen, scar tissue forms, and shoulder movements become limited and painful. It can develop when you stop using the joint normally because of pain, other injury, or a chronic health condition, such as diabetes. Any shoulder problem can lead to frozen shoulder if you do not work to maintain its full range of motion.

Shoulder Dislocation

A shoulder dislocation (shoulder instability) occurs when the upper end of the arm bone pops out of the shoulder joint. This injury may be caused by a direct blow to the shoulder, a fall on an outstretched hand or arm, or an exaggerated overhead throwing motion. Several injuries to the shoulder can occur during a dislocation, including a fracture, rotator cuff tear, labral tear, and ligament injury. There is also an increased risk for further dislocations, and so careful evaluation is necessary to identify and treat these injuries. Frequently, surgery is recommended to treat these injuries, due to the increased risk for further instability.