Are you a Lancaster resident and wondering where to turn to for your shoulder care needs? Dr. Michael J Bercik and our team specialize in shoulder and elbow conditions, including shoulder trauma. Visit our Lancaster location to get started today. With multiple awards, publications, and certifications under his belt, Dr. Bercik can take a multifaceted approach to shoulder conditions and provide you with options outside of traditional treatments.

After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Georgetown University, Dr. Bercik has refined his shoulder specialization through international fellowships in France and Australia, including training under the world-renowned shoulder surgeon Dr. Gilles Walch. Dr. Bercik ensures that every patient is treated with the highest standard of care, and our team will make sure all of your questions and concerns are answered throughout the process.

Primary Causes of Shoulder Dislocation

When you envision the shoulder joint, think of a ball rotating around in a socket. This allows your arms to move in all directions and make complex movements such as throwing objects or reaching high overhead to grab something. When this ball comes out of the socket, it is called a dislocation and can range from partial to complete dislocation.

One of the primary reasons for shoulder dislocation is loose or torn tendons. It leads to shoulder instability and the tissues being unable to hold the arm in place within the shoulder socket.

Trauma is usually the cause of the first shoulder dislocation. This typically comes from injury to the ligaments in the front of the shoulder but can also be caused by a tear in the labrum (cartilage rim around the shoulder socket). This can lead to permanent or semi-permanent loosening of the ligaments in the shoulder and repeat shoulder dislocations.

If you’ve never experienced shoulder trauma but still experience dislocations, this can be from hyperlaxity in your ligaments. Sometimes this is anatomical, and the ligaments in the shoulder gradually loosen over time. If you play a sport that requires repeated overhead motions, this can also gradually stretch out the shoulder ligaments.

Some patients are double-jointed and have loose ligaments throughout the body. These patients are particularly susceptible to shoulder dislocations, even with no history of shoulder trauma or repeated overhead movements.

Symptoms of Chronic Shoulder Instability

If you think you may have chronic shoulder instability, symptoms to look for include multiple dislocations, a recurrent feeling that the shoulder is loose, pain in the shoulder, or repeated instances of inability to hold weight with the shoulder and a sense that the shoulder “gives out.” We can provide a comprehensive assessment of your shoulder and look for signs of chronic instability. This includes tests for general looseness of the ligaments and performing specific movements or having imaging tests done.

How is Shoulder Instability Treated?

Shoulder instability is generally treated first through physical therapy and then through either activity modification or surgery. Physical therapy is often enough to provide shoulder stability and reduce the likelihood of follow-up dislocations, but in some cases, repeat dislocation may lead to the need for surgery. Once the surgery is performed, the chances of a repeat dislocation are 3 to 5%.

Contact Us Today!

Residents in the Lancaster, PA, area should contact Dr. Michael Bercik, a leading shoulder specialist, for high-quality shoulder care. We will provide a comprehensive assessment of your injury/condition and appropriate course of treatment. To schedule an appointment, please click the “Schedule An Appointment” link in the top right of the website or call (866) 564-1000.