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Shoulder Surgery

Shoulder surgery is a sub-specialty of orthopaedics that deals with the treatment, diagnosis and prevention of disorders of the shoulder. An orthopaedic surgeon has a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine medical degree and training that encompasses both orthopaedic residency and an optional 6-month to one year of fellowship training specific in techniques of shoulder surgery.

Shoulder surgeons are trained to treat all disorders of the shoulder, both surgical and non-surgical. This specialized training helps them understand how to properly diagnose and treat injuries that cause pain and restrict the movement of shoulders, including sprains and strains, dislocations, tendinitis, bursitis, rotator cuff injury, fractures, and arthritis.

Proper Diagnosis and Treatment

Arthroscopy is a procedure used for both diagnosis and treatment of joint problems. Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimum invasive surgery procedure used to see into the shoulder joint and repair damaged bone, muscle, tendon or ligament of the joint. It is done as an outpatient procedure and is safer than open shoulder surgery.

Minimally invasive shoulder replacement offers the same successful outcomes as traditional, larger-incision operations. It is performed through a smaller incision and causes minimal disruption to soft tissue structures allowing for a faster recovery with the additional benefit of a smaller scar.

Rotator cuff tear is best viewed on magnetic resonance imaging. Symptomatic relief may be obtained with conservative treatments – rest, shoulder sling, pain medications, steroidal injections and certain exercises. However, surgery is required to fix the tendon back to the shoulder bone. Rotator cuff repair may be performed by open surgery or arthroscopic procedure.

Meet Our Team

Allison Hunter, MD

John L. Todd, M.D.

Orthopaedic Shoulder Surgeon/Sports Medicine Specialist
  • Medical School: University of South Alabama (Mobile, AL)
  • Residency: Medical University of South Carolina (Charleston, SC)
  • Fellowship: Sports Medicine and Shoulder Reconstruction at Hughston Sports Medicine Foundation (Columbus, GA)

Shoulder Conditions We Treat

  • AC Joint Injuries
  • Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Arthritis
  • Biceps Tendon Tear (at the Shoulder)
  • Biceps Tendonitis
  • Burners and Stingers
  • Bursitis of the Shoulder (Subacromial Bursitis)
  • Calcific Tendinitis of the Shoulder
  • Clavicle Fracture (Broken Collarbone)
  • Fracture of the Shoulder Blade (Scapula)
  • Fracture of the Shoulder Socket (Glenoid Fracture)
  • Fractures of the Greater Tuberosity
  • Fractures of the Shoulder Blade (Scapula)
  • Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
  • Glenoid Labrum Tear
  • Hill-Sachs Lesion
  • Shoulder Joint Pain
  • Muscle Imbalance in the Shoulder
  • Muscle Strain of the Upper Back (Trapezius Strain)
  • Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder
  • Proximal Humerus Fracture 
  • Radial Tunnel Syndrome 
  • Rotator Cuff Injuries
  • Rotator Cuff Tears
  • Shoulder Arthritis
  • Shoulder Dislocation
  • Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
  • Shoulder Instability
  • Shoulder Multidirectional Instability
  • Shoulder Separation
  • SLAP Tears
  • Suprascapular Neuropathy
  • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
  • Throwing Injuries of the Shoulder
  • Weightlifter’s Shoulder (Distal Clavicularv Osteolysis)
  • Winged Scapula

Patient Testimonials

Lola Durham
Lola Durham
patient of Dr. Todd
Bill Cockrell
Bill Cockrell
patient of Dr. Todd
Allen Gipson
Allen Gipson
patient of Dr. Todd
Bill Hanna
Bill Hanna
patient of Dr. Todd