Persistent Shoulder and Elbow Pain: Why MemorialCare Orthopedic & Spine Institute at Long Beach Medical Center Is Your Best Choice

Shoulder and elbow pain can quietly take over your life, making everyday tasks—from reaching overhead to lift a bag or sleeping soundly—feel impossible. These two joints work together to support nearly every arm movement—pain in one joint often affects the function and comfort of the other. At MemorialCare Orthopedic & Spine Institute at Long Beach Medical Center, we utilize advanced imaging, detailed preoperative planning and patient-specific instrumentation to enhance accuracy and safety for both shoulder and elbow procedures. Each surgical plan is customized to the individual, improving predictability and supporting faster, more comfortable recovery.

While many shoulder and elbow conditions improve with rest, physical therapy or medication, ongoing pain should never be ignored. Persistent symptoms often signal underlying joint damage that requires expert evaluation and, in some cases, surgical intervention. At the MemorialCare Orthopedic & Spine Institute, we focus on precise diagnosis, personalized care and advanced techniques to help patients achieve long-term relief—whether the problem is in the shoulder, the elbow or both.

Understanding Shoulder and Elbow Pain

Shoulder and elbow injuries are no longer limited to athletes. In recent years, I’ve seen a clear shift in who is affected. The rise of pickleball, increased screen time and longer working years have expanded the patient population, particularly among adults over 50. Both joints are vulnerable to similar stresses and injuries, and often, pain in one joint can affect the function of the other.

Common causes of shoulder and elbow pain include:

• Arthritis: Progressive cartilage wear leads to stiffness, swelling and pain that often worsens at night or with activity.
• Rotator cuff tears and tendon injuries: Trauma, repetitive overhead motion, or age-related degeneration can cause tears, resulting in weakness and limited mobility in the shoulder or elbow.
• Joint degeneration: Repeated stress or prior injuries can deteriorate the shoulder’s ball-and-socket joint or the elbow’s hinge joint over time.
• Post-traumatic conditions: Fractures or dislocations may heal but later contribute to instability, pain or arthritis in either joint.

Early identification of the source of pain allows for more effective treatment and better preservation of joint function—whether it’s your shoulder, elbow or both.

Why Shoulder and Elbow Injuries Are Increasing

Pickleball and Recreational Sports

Pickleball is an excellent way to stay active, but its fast-paced, repetitive overhead motions place significant strain on both the shoulder and elbow. I frequently treat patients with rotator cuff tendinitis, tears, “tennis elbow” and other elbow injuries related to sports. Falls on the court can also increase the risk of fractures and dislocations in either joint.

Technology and Posture

Prolonged screen use has contributed to an increase in posture-related shoulder and elbow pain. Forward, back, and head posture place constant stress on the shoulder joint and surrounding muscles, while poor ergonomics can also lead to elbow discomfort and overuse injuries.

Work and Lifestyle Factors

Jobs that involve repetitive lifting, overhead work or prolonged sitting, along with heavy weight training without proper mechanics, can accelerate joint wear and tear and increase injury risk for both the shoulder and elbow.

When to Seek Orthopedic Care

Not every ache requires surgery, but certain symptoms should prompt an evaluation by an orthopedic specialist:

• Pain lasting longer than a few weeks
• Difficulty lifting the arm or performing daily activities
• Stiffness or reduced range of motion in the shoulder or elbow
• Nighttime pain
• Loss of strength in the arm

Delaying care can result in irreversible rotator cuff damage, progressive arthritis or bone loss, limiting treatment options. Early evaluation allows us to explore less invasive solutions whenever possible and prevent further joint deterioration.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options

Before considering surgery, many patients benefit from conservative treatments designed to relieve pain and restore function. Non-surgical treatments typically offered consist of:

• Physical therapy: Customized exercise programs to improve strength, flexibility and joint stability
• Medications: Anti-inflammatory drugs or pain relievers to reduce discomfort and swelling.
• Activity modification: Guidance on posture, ergonomics and lifestyle adjustments to minimize strain.
• Injections: Corticosteroid or biologic injections to decrease inflammation.

These approaches often provide significant relief and may prevent the need for surgery. If symptoms persist despite these measures, surgical intervention may be the next step.

Advanced Shoulder and Elbow Care at MemorialCare Orthopedic & Spine Institute in Long Beach

At the MemorialCare Orthopedic & Spine Institute at Long Beach Medical Center, patients receive comprehensive support from a coordinated team of orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons, ensuring seamless care from diagnosis through recovery. An orthopedic nurse navigator guides patients through insurance coordination, pre-surgical education and post-operative recovery, helping make the experience as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Our approach to shoulder and elbow surgery is rooted in minimally invasive techniques and personalized planning, designed to restore function with less disruption to surrounding tissues.

Shoulder Surgery Innovations offered at Long Beach Medical Center:

• Total shoulder replacement: Replaces the damaged humeral head with a metal implant and resurfaces the socket with a plastic component.
• Reverse total shoulder replacement: Repositions the ball and socket to compensate for rotator cuff deficiency.
• Minimally invasive arthroscopic: a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows orthopedic surgeons to diagnose and treat joint problems using small incisions and specialized instruments, leading to quicker recovery and less tissue damage.
• Reverse total shoulder replacement: an effective option for patients with irreparable rotator cuff tears, restoring function by relying on the deltoid muscle.
• Custom implants and patient-specific guides: allow for precise alignment and improved long-term outcomes.

Elbow Surgery Innovations offered at Long Beach Medical Center

For elbow conditions requiring surgery, we use a specialized two-incision approach designed to promote faster recovery, improved function and eliminate wound complication. This technique:

• Preserves the triceps without detaching it from the bone
• Eliminates the need for a post-operative splint
• Allows patients to begin using the arm immediately after surgery

This technique supports early mobility, reduces stiffness and helps patients return to daily activities sooner.

Life After Shoulder or Elbow Surgery

Recovery from shoulder and elbow surgery has improved significantly. Many patients return home the same day and begin gentle movement shortly after surgery. Light activities often resume within weeks, with full recovery achieved over several months through structured rehabilitation.

Patients commonly experience:

• Lasting pain relief and improved sleep
• Greater independence with daily tasks
• A return to hobbies such as golf, swimming or pickleball

The MemorialCare Orthopedic and Spine Institute at Long Beach Medical Center has been recognized by U.S. News as high performing in orthopedics, reflecting our system-wide commitment to exceptional outcomes. This recognition underscores our dedication to advanced techniques, personalized care, and a patient-first approach that consistently delivers superior results.

If shoulder or elbow pain is interfering with your daily life, don’t wait. Early evaluation can make a meaningful difference in treatment options and recovery. Waiting too long to address shoulder pain can lead to worsening joint damage and muscle weakness, which may complicate surgery and prolong recovery.

To learn more visit MemorialCare Orthopedic & Spine Institute at Long Beach Medical Center or call (562) 933-4014.

About the Author:

Shahryar Ahmadi, M.D., FRCSC is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in treating shoulder and elbow surgery at the MemorialCare Orthopedic & Spine Institute at Long Beach Medical Center.

He received his medical degree from Tehran University of Medical Sciences and residency in orthopaedic surgery at the University of Toronto Medical School. Dr. Ahmadi then completed his fellowship in shoulder & elbow surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Canadian Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Dr. Ahmadi served as the Director, Shoulder & Elbow Surgery and Associate Professor of Orthopaedics at the University of Arkansas. This included responsibilities at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Department of Orthopaedics. He taught and trained residents, fellows and orthopedic surgeons and the program grew under his leadership.

His research focuses on high-energy proximal humerus fractures (PHF) in geriatrics, muscle fatty degeneration with his work published in multiple peer-reviewed journals. He is a member of the American Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons (ASES), American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), and a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada.