Shoulder arthritis can quickly lower the quality of your everyday life, and seeking treatment is the best way to ensure you are able to function at your best. For residents of Lancaster, PA, Dr. Michael Bercik and our team at Lancaster Orthopedic Group can provide you with the high-quality care you need.

Dr. Michael Bercik is an experienced, board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a focus on ailments of the shoulder and elbow. In order to perfect his craft, Dr. Bercik studied at the world-renowned Centre Orthopédique Santy in France, where he studied under Dr. Gilles Walch—widely considered to be one of the best shoulder surgeons in the world. Dr. Bercik then went on to study with Professor Simon Bell at the Melbourne Shoulder and Elbow Centre and Monash University, where he continued to master advanced techniques.

Dr. Bercik has been able to bring the treatment methods he learned in these fellowships back with him to the United States, giving him a unique platform to offer his patients creative and innovative solutions. Dr. Bercik prides himself on being able to think outside the box and offer his patients innovative solutions to complex problems.

Treatment Options for Shoulder Arthritis

Nonsurgical Treatment Options

When you initially present symptoms of shoulder arthritis or receive a diagnosis, your doctor will likely recommend nonsurgical treatment options at the first line of treatment. This generally consists of:

• Resting the area
• Changing activities to avoid activities that cause pain
• Starting physical therapy targeted at decreasing pain in the shoulder
• Pain medication, including oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or aspirin
• Corticosteroid injections to reduce pain and inflammation
• Heating the area with hot pats to soothe pain and inflammation
• Taking medication to help the underlying condition, such as methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis
• Icing the area for up to 30 minutes
• Diet changes, such as the inclusion of supplements that have the potential to reduce arthritic symptoms (example: glucosamine or chondroitin).

Surgical Treatment Options

If your symptoms are not responsive to nonsurgical options, your doctor may recommend surgery to alleviate pain, improve mobility, and reduce additional symptoms.

Arthroscopy is the most common type of surgery recommended for arthritis. For this procedure, your doctor will insert a small camera (arthroscope) into the shoulder joint. The camera will display a picture on a larger monitor and the doctor will use this to guide the procedure and treatment of the arthritis. This is often especially recommended for mild arthritis and the procedure also allows doctors to clean out debris in the joint that may be causing pain.

While this procedure helps to provide relief from symptoms of arthritis, it does not eliminate arthritis from the joint. If symptoms persist, shoulder replacement surgery may be needed to provide further relief.

Total shoulder placement can come in a number of options, including:

• Total shoulder arthroplasty: both the head of the humerus and the glenoid are replaced.
• Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: The ball and socket are essentially reversed. This is ideal for patients with cuff tear arthropathy because it uses different muscles.
• Hemiarthroplasty: The head of the humerus is replaced.

Let’s Begin!

Residents of Lancaster, PA, who are experiencing symptoms of shoulder arthritis should look no further than Dr. Michael Bercik and our team at Lancaster Orthopedics. We provide patients with a complete assessment of their condition and a treatment plan focused on their specific needs. To get started with us today, use the “Schedule An Appointment” link in the top right of the website or call (866) 564-1000.