The shoulder joint is made up of the end of the humerus bone (“ball”), the scapula bone (“socket”), cartilage that lines the bones, ligaments, tendons (including the rotator cuff tendons), and the labrum (“bumper” that lines the socket). Shoulder injuries are very common and can lead to significant disability, especially when one attempts overhead activities.

Dr. Welch treats patients from all walks of life, from weekend warriors to professional athletes, and considers each patient’s goals when creating a treatment plan. For each patient with a shoulder injury, Dr. Welch performs a detailed review of the history as well as a comprehensive physical exam. If necessary, Dr. Welch will obtains x-rays and/or an MRI to further evaluate the structures in the shoulder. Most patients benefit from non-surgical management for injuries in the shoulder, including oral analgesics, activity modification, injections, and/or a dedicated physical therapy program.

For those patients who require surgery, Dr. Welch performs advanced arthroscopic techniques in the shoulder. During his time in Los Angeles, Dr. Welch worked extensively with Dr. Neal El Attrache, one of the leading arthroscopic shoulder surgeons in the country. Similar to procedures in the knee and hip, surgical procedures for the shoulder have evolved tremendously over the last 10-15 years, and Dr. Welch is up to date. The most common injuries that require surgical intervention in the shoulder include rotator cuff tears, instability (shoulder dislocations), labral/SLAP tears, biceps tendon injuries, A-C joint arthritis, as well as fractures.