Shoulder and Elbow Surgery

Why Choose UCLA Health for Shoulder and Elbow Surgery

Orthopedic surgeons specializing in shoulder and elbow problems deliver exceptional care. Our experts have advanced training and bring years of experience treating everything from common injuries to complex conditions. They also teach medical students, publish research and help improve surgical techniques used across the country. 

Highlights of our program include: 

Advanced treatments: For shoulder replacement surgery, we use implants that require less bone removal, leading to a more comfortable recovery. For larger tendon injuries, we perform grafting procedures or tendon transfers when the original tendon can’t be repaired. These techniques give you the best chances for achieving your care goals.  

Conservative approach: We consider every available option, including whether you might benefit from nonsurgical treatments, such as bracing or injections. When surgery is best, we help many people get relief using minimally invasive techniques that involve smaller incisions and are gentler on your body. 

Trusted by top athletes: UCLA Health is the official medical partner of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dodgers, Sparks and UCLA Athletics. Whether you play competitively or just want to stay active, you receive the same high-quality care these athletes rely on.

Connected care: Shoulder and elbow surgeons, physical therapists, pain medicine doctors and radiologists stay in close contact throughout your care. They coordinate every step to ensure you receive services tailored to your needs. This level of teamwork helps everything run smoothly so you can focus on healing.

Efficient, comfortable recovery: Techniques such as nerve blocks ease pain after surgery, reducing the need for medications that cause grogginess or slow you down. Dedicated physical therapists help you start moving shortly after your procedure, so you can get back to your daily activities sooner.

Shoulder and Elbow Conditions We Treat

We treat a range of conditions affecting the shoulder and elbow, including: 

• Bicep tendonitis: Inflammation in the tissue connecting your bicep muscle to your shoulder blade
• Frozen shoulder: Chronically stiff, painful shoulder with limited range of motion
• Olecranon bursitis: Inflammation and fluid buildup in the space between the tip of your elbow (olecranon) and skin
• Rotator cuff tear: Partial or full tear affecting the muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint
• Shoulder arthritis: When the protective covering (cartilage) at the end of your bone wears away
• Shoulder dislocations: When the upper arm bone pops out of the shoulder socket, often due to a traumatic or sports injury
• Tennis elbow: Overuse injury of the outer elbow due to repetitive arm motions from sports and other daily activities

Shoulder and Elbow Surgeries We Offer 

Our elbow and shoulder surgeons perform a variety of advanced procedures, including:

• Elbow arthroscopy: We make small incisions and insert a small, high-powered camera into the elbow joint. This allows the surgeon to view the inside of the joint and repair damaged structures.
• Reverse shoulder replacement: Experts replace the shoulder joint with prosthetic parts, reversing the ball-and-socket placement. This treatment is for people with severe arthritis and rotator cuff damage or previously failed shoulder surgery. The reverse position restores mobility, enabling a greater range of motion after surgery.
• Revision joint replacement: Our surgeons specialize in revision replacement or surgery for those with complications from a previous joint replacement.
• Rotator cuff repair: Surgeons reattach the torn tendon to the arm bones, using arthroscopy or open surgery.
• Shoulder replacement: The surgeon removes the damaged portion of the shoulder joint and replaces it with prosthetic parts. This treatment is for people with wear-and-tear arthritis (osteoarthritis) but no damage to the rotator cuff tendons.
• Tendon transfers: The surgeon repositions a tendon by attaching it to a different bone or tendon. This restores function in cases of nerve injury, muscle injury or tendon rupture.

Meet Our Team 

UCLA Health is home to shoulder and elbow surgeons who help set the standard in their field. We perform the full range of procedures, from minimally invasive repairs to the most advanced surgical reconstructions. And our depth of experience consistently leads to excellent outcomes.