As we age, it is common for shoulder pain to develop. During the natural aging process, soft tissues in our shoulder become more easily damaged, and weakened coordination can often leave us putting strains on the shoulder. This can lead to rotator cuff tears and injury. When patients come to Lancaster Orthopedic Group, Dr. Michael Bercik and our team ensure they have the tools to reduce current symptoms and strengthen the body’s ability to resist future injury. Residents of Lancaster, PA, should waste no time scheduling their first appointment with us today.

Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment Lancaster, PADr. Michael Bercik is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in shoulder repair and trauma. He completed two fellowships abroad to learn the latest techniques in shoulder surgery, studying under Dr. Gilles Walch and Professor Simon Bell. When studying under Dr. Walch at the Centre Othopédique Santy in France, Dr. Bercik learned state-of-the-art techniques to treat complex shoulder and elbow conditions. He then went to the Melbourne Shoulder and Elbow Centre at Monash University, rounding out his skill set to offer patients the best care available.

Dr. Bercik has authored several peer-reviewed journals on top of a book chapter outside of clinical practice. He continued to pursue knowledge and excellence at each stage of his career, and the benefits are shown through his patients’ results.

Baseball Players: Understanding the Role of the Shoulder

For baseball players, the shoulder is arguably the most important joint of the body for precision within the sport. Whether you are a pitcher, outfielder, or catcher, the shoulder makes it possible to throw and catch with accuracy, speed, and strength. There are a few things to know to ensure you are taking care of your shoulder and giving your body the best shot at avoiding injury.

For one, understanding the shoulder joint is important. The shoulder is a ball and socket joint made from the top of the humerus (upper arm bone) known as the humeral head and the glenoid (part of the shoulder blade). These bones are held in place by a complex system of soft tissues, including muscles and tendons. To allow movement of the shoulder without dislocation, a system of four muscles and tendons creates the stabilized structure of the joint. This is known as the rotator cuff.

The rotator cuff is vital for arm movements, especially overhead. When the rotator cuff is damaged, actions such as throwing become impossible. Because of this, the rotator cuff is the most common area injured in baseball players and the most important to protect.

Rotator Cuff Tears in Baseball

Because of the delicacy of the rotator cuff and the repetition of overhead arm movements in baseball, rotator cuff tears are common. These can happen from overuse, muscular imbalance, or traumatic injury. It is essential to treat these injuries quickly and with high-quality care to ensure the damage does not worsen and there are no complications.

When treating rotator cuff injuries, we will look at various factors such as age, body history, the severity of the tear, and level of activity to determine the best path to recovery for you.

Ready to Begin?

Let’s get started! Lancaster, PA, residents cannot go wrong when trusting Dr. Michael J Bercik and our team at Lancaster Orthopedic Group. We are dedicated to outstanding patient care and treat every patient with individual attention to achieve the best recovery. If you are experiencing symptoms of a rotator cuff tear or another shoulder injury, don’t hesitate to schedule your first appointment today by clicking the “Schedule An Appointment” link in the top right of the website or calling (866) 564-1000.