Sports Shoulder Care

Many sports involve repetitive overhead arm motions that can cause painful and debilitating shoulder injuries, such as tendinitis, sprains, bone fractures, dislocations, and torn rotator cuffs.

The experienced Sports Medicine team at UT Southwestern Medical Center expertly evaluates and treats all forms of shoulder injury and pain, helping patients minimize downtime and return to their sport or activity as quickly and safely as possible.

The Highest Standard of Care

Our sports medicine team specializes in diagnosing and treating shoulder joint and muscle injuries. We provide the most advanced nonsurgical care available, as well as the latest minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures, to meet each patient’s individual needs. 

Our orthopaedic surgeons are trusted by athletes throughout the community. We serve as team physicians for several organizations, such as the Dallas Stars professional ice hockey team.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of sports-related shoulder injuries can include:

• A bone or joint that is visibly out of place, which is a sign of shoulder dislocation or separation
• Pain or stiffness in the shoulder and upper arm
• Restricted range of motion
• Swelling
• Weakness in the shoulder

Conditions Affecting the Shoulder

We treat a variety of sports-related shoulder conditions, such as:

• Acromioclavicular (AC) joint injury
• Bursitis
• Impingement syndrome
• Shoulder arthritis
• Shoulder dislocation or separation
• Shoulder muscle injuries and strains
• Tears of the labrum, rotator cuff, or tendons
• Tendinitis, pitcher’s shoulder, or swimmer’s shoulder

Diagnosing Shoulder Conditions

To diagnose a sports-related shoulder injury, our physicians speak with the patient about his or her medical history and conduct a physical examination. We might also order imaging tests that can include:

• Arthrograms (X-rays of the joints)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• X-rays

Treatments

In many cases, our sports medicine specialists can successfully treat sports-related shoulder pain and injury without surgery. 

Less severe shoulder injuries often can be treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). Our orthopaedic specialists might also suggest rehabilitative exercises to strengthen shoulder muscles and prevent future injury, anti-inflammatory medication to reduce pain and swelling, or an immobilizing device such as a cast or brace. 

In more severe cases, surgery might be necessary to properly treat a shoulder injury. Our surgeons use the least invasive surgical methods available for each patient.