What is a PASTA Tear? PASTA is an acronym for partial articular supraspinatus tendon avulsion. To further explain: Partial: means the tear has not gone all the way through the tendon. Articular: There are two surfaces to the tendon, one is bursal, and the other is articular. The articular surface is the inner side of […]

Has your patient had or been recommended to have a Superior Capsule Reconstruction? What is a Superior Capsule Reconstruction (SCR)? This surgical procedure was first introduced in 2007 by Teruhisa Mihata, MD, PhD from Osaka, Japan.   SCR is an optional surgical procedure to repair severe rotator cuff tears.  SCR works by providing the glenohumeral […]

  Rotator cuff arthropathy is a sequential, progressive process of glenohumeral joint degenerative changes associated with chronic rotator cuff tears. Rotator cuff tear arthropathy represents shoulder pathology characterized by rotator cuff insufficiency, decreased acromiohumeral intervals, and arthritic changes of the glenohumeral joint. Often, in the presence of chronic rotator cuff tears, there is a superior […]

Have you been diagnosed with a SLAP tear?  How can we help? What is the Shoulder Labrum? The labrum is a ring of cartilage attached to the rim of the shoulder socket. The labrum has two functions. The first is to deepen the socket so that the ball stays in place.  The second is as […]

Bone spurs are small deposits of calcium.  If these bony projections become large enough, they can become painful and result in inflammation as well as cause damage the surrounding tendons and muscles. The medical term for bone spurs is “osteophytes”. Osteophytes are commonly seen in the spine, the heel, and the shoulder. In the shoulder, […]

Rotator cuff tears are common shoulder injuries. They can occur during sport activities, with any strenuous upper-extremity activity, or with falls or trauma. Tears can also be degenerative, occurring over time. Partial vs Complete Tears A partial tear is when one of the muscles that makes up your rotator cuff is worn or damaged. A […]

Been Diagnosed with Frozen Shoulder?  What Does That Mean and How Do You Fix It? Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, occurs when the ligaments and capsule supporting the shoulder joint adheres to itself.  This leads to pain and “freezing” of normal shoulder range of motion.  It is caused by an inflammatory process affecting […]

What is the Thoracic Spine? The thoracic spine makes up the middle portion of your spine.  It is responsible for most of your spinal rotation and bending. The ribs and a number of skeletal muscles attach to the thoracic spine to provide stability for your back. Mobility in your thoracic spine is essential for proper […]

What is impingement? you ask. Read on to find out. Shoulder Anatomy  The shoulder is a complex structure comprised of tendons, ligaments, muscles, joints and bursa.  The connections between the arm bone (humerus), collar bone (clavicle), shoulder blade (scapula) and the rib cage provide us with a base for an arm that is able to move […]

  Rotator cuff injuries are very common.  Left untreated, injuries to the rotator cuff can cause extreme shoulder pain and loss of motion, making it difficult to perform daily activities like getting dressed, washing your hairs, sleeping, and enjoying your favorite sports and hobbies. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles attached to […]