Shoulder Orthopedics & Reverse Shoulder Replacement
Shoulder pain rarely stays in the shoulder — it disrupts sleep, driving, dressing, and every overhead movement. Dr. Michael Mikolajczak, DO evaluates the full shoulder complex to identify the true source of pain and build a plan that restores function with the least intervention necessary.
Conditions We Evaluate
- Rotator cuff tears — partial and full-thickness tears causing weakness with lifting, painful nights, and difficulty reaching overhead or behind the back.
- Shoulder impingement and bursitis — pinching pain in a specific arc of motion, often with a painful catch when raising the arm.
- AC joint problems — arthritis or separation at the top of the shoulder, typically tender to direct pressure and aggravated by pressing and cross-body movement.
- Shoulder arthritis (glenohumeral osteoarthritis) — deep aching pain, grinding, and progressive stiffness that limits rotation.
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) — global loss of motion with a stiff, painful end range.
- Biceps tendon irritation and labral problems — front-of-shoulder pain, clicking, or a sense of instability.
- Reverse shoulder replacement candidacy — evaluation for patients with advanced arthritis combined with an irreparable rotator cuff.
Our Approach
The shoulder responds remarkably well to well-designed conservative care. Dr. Mikolajczak begins there in nearly every case.
Rotator cuff and scapular rehabilitation. Most shoulder pain improves when the cuff and shoulder blade muscles are retrained to work in the right sequence. This is the backbone of non-surgical shoulder care.
Injection therapy. Image-guided or landmark-guided corticosteroid injections to break a pain cycle, and regenerative options such as PRP for selected tendon problems where candidacy is appropriate.
Activity modification. Temporary adjustments to overhead work, pressing, and sleeping position that let irritated tissue calm down.
Home program. A short, specific daily routine — not a list of twenty exercises you will never do.
When Surgery Is Considered
If pain and weakness persist after a genuine course of conservative treatment, or if imaging and exam show a problem that will not resolve without repair, we discuss surgical options candidly.
- Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for repairable tears in patients with adequate tissue quality and appropriate expectations for rehabilitation.
- Subacromial decompression and AC joint procedures for structural impingement that has not responded to therapy and injection.
- Reverse shoulder replacement for qualifying patients — typically those with advanced shoulder arthritis combined with an irreparable rotator cuff, or a failed prior repair, where a standard reconstruction would not restore reliable overhead function.
About reverse shoulder replacement. In this procedure the normal ball-and-socket relationship is reversed, allowing the deltoid muscle to power the arm when the rotator cuff can no longer do so. Candidacy is determined only after thorough evaluation of all alternatives, your imaging, your functional goals, and your ability to complete post-operative rehabilitation. Dr. Mikolajczak will explain exactly why it is or is not the right choice for you.
What to Expect at Your Visit
- Imaging review. X-rays and MRI reviewed with you, with plain-language explanation of the findings.
- Detailed exam. Strength testing of each cuff muscle, motion in multiple planes, impingement and instability testing, and cervical screening — because neck problems can masquerade as shoulder pain.
- Personalized plan. A staged plan with clear checkpoints and an honest timeline for improvement.
Request Shoulder Consultation
Call 561-670-2010 or request an appointment online.