Shoulder Doctor

As the region's most preferred orthopedic practice, our specialty-trained shoulder doctors at Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute have the experience, knowledge, and expertise to diagnose and treat shoulder conditions and injuries.

As the most flexible joint in the body, the shoulder allows a person to perform many complex actions that include lifting, pushing, and pulling. However, because the shoulder joint has such a wide range of motion, it is a common source of aches and pains. The joint, ligaments, muscles, tendons, and tissues are all at risk of being damaged or injured. Individuals who use their shoulders to perform repetitive activities, such as golfers who swing a club over and over or workers who continuously lift items over their head to put them on a shelf, often experience pain from these activities. Older patients are also at risk for pain from arthritis, which is the wear and tear placed on the shoulder joint over time. An experienced shoulder doctor has a deep understanding and knowledge of the shoulder anatomy and can offer a diagnosis and treatment options to help reduce or eliminate pain.

When It's Time to Visit a Shoulder Doctor

Expressing whatever symptoms you are experiencing to your doctor can help them to provide you with the best shoulder care. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should contact a shoulder doctor near you for evaluation:

  • Decreased range of motion
  • Grinding or bone-on-bone sensations
  • Inability to raise your shoulder over your head
  • Radiating pain from the shoulder down to the elbow
  • Severe pain when trying to lift objects
  • Shoulder pain that does not get better
  • Stiffness
  • Tenderness and swelling
  • Throbbing shoulder pain that is worse at night

These symptoms could be an indication that you have a more serious medical injury or condition, such as:

  • Acute shoulder instability
  • Arthritis 
  • Bursitis
  • Chronic shoulder instability
  • Dislocations
  • Fractures (clavicle, humerus, shoulder blade)
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Glenoid labrum tears
  • Rotator cuff tears
  • Rotator cuff tendonitis
  • Shoulder impingement
  • SLAP tears
  • Tendon injuries

Many shoulder problems can be treated through conservative methods. However, there are some cases where surgery is the best option for providing patients full relief and restoring normal function. If shoulder surgery is deemed necessary, our surgeons have performed hundreds of complex shoulder surgeries and returned patients to their lives, functioning at their highest capacity. Our shoulder surgeons specialize in a variety of surgical procedures, which include:

  • Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery
  • Arthroscopic surgery for shoulder instability
  • Bankart repair surgery
  • Latarjet surgery
  • Reconstructive shoulder surgery
  • Reverse total shoulder replacement
  • Shoulder arthroscopy
  • Shoulder revision surgery
  • Superior capsular reconstruction for irreparable rotator cuff tears
  • Surgical repair of shoulder fractures
  • Total shoulder replacement surgery

Visit our Shoulder & Elbow Center, our Sports Medicine Center, or our Joint Replacement Center to learn more.

Our doctors understand that pain in your shoulder can make everyday activities difficult. To schedule a consultation with one of our shoulder specialists, please call (219) 921-1444 or request an appointment online.

Conveniently located in Chesterton, Crown Point, Michigan City, Portage, Schererville, Valparaiso, Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute offers care at state-of-the-art facilities throughout northwest Indiana so you can get the exceptional, specialized treatment you need where you need it. 

We also offer our walk-in Orthopedic Urgent Care at our Crown Point and Portage locations to treat shoulder injuries that require immediate attention with no appointment needed.

Keeping You in Motion at Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute

The most important decision you will make regarding your care is finding an experienced doctor who can expertly diagnose and treat your shoulder pain.

At Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute, our specialty-trained and board-certified shoulder surgeons, Paul J. Gruska, M.D., Thomas H. Kay, M.D., David J. Musgrave, M.D., Anthony C. Levenda, M.D., Aaron G. Anderson, M.D., Rebecca B. Anderson, M.D., Ryan J. Plank, M.D., John A. Guzzo, M.D., and Eric K. Szczesniak, M.D.are skilled in treating a variety of shoulder injuries and conditions. Our shoulder doctors place a high value on excellent patient care and only use the most innovative techniques and state-of-the-art procedures. Our shoulder surgeons also work in conjunction with our physical therapy team to reach each patient's personal goals in recovery. 

To schedule an appointment with one of our experienced shoulder surgeons, please call (219) 921-1444 or request an appointment online.

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