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The orthopedic shoulder specialists at Norton Orthopedic Institute are experienced in determining the best course of action for treating your shoulder condition. They understand when conservative treatment can be effective and when surgery is necessary to restore function and help you return to your normal activities.

If shoulder replacement surgery is required, our physicians perform a high volume of these procedures annually in the Louisville and Southern Indiana region. This extensive experience allows them to accurately assess when shoulder replacement can help restore your shoulder movement.

Our shoulder specialists stay informed about the latest advancements in both nonsurgical and surgical care, often leading to faster recovery times. They are actively involved in clinical trials, offering patients access to innovative shoulder implants and techniques.

Equipped with advanced imaging and diagnostic tools, our orthopedic shoulder specialists can identify precisely the cause of your shoulder pain. They will then develop a personalized treatment and rehabilitation plan tailored to your specific needs.

Your treatment may involve physical therapy and anti-inflammatory treatment to alleviate pain. In other cases, surgery may be necessary for repairs or a shoulder replacement. Our dedicated providers prioritize listening to your concerns to understand how your diagnosis impacts your life and will recommend the most appropriate treatment options.

New robotic-assisted shoulder replacement gives Nelson County man new outlook on life

Justin M. Givens, M.D., shown at left, puts patient Eddie Boone through a postoperative shoulder exam to gauge his range of motion three weeks after surgery.

Eddie Boone’s left shoulder was nearly unusable. But a trip to Norton Orthopedic Institute introduced him to an innovative procedure that would repair his shoulder and change his life.

Shoulder Replacement Surgery

Shoulder replacement surgery replaces diseased or injured parts of the shoulder joint with artificial parts.

Total shoulder arthroplastyis the most common procedure. Both the ball at the top of your humerus, the upper arm bone, and the shoulder socket are replaced. The new ball typically is made of metal, and the new socket usually is made of plastic.   

Hemiarthroplasty involves replacing only one part of the shoulder joint, typically the ball, while the socket is left intact. Hemiarthroplasty may be appropriate for certain types of fractures and specific arthritis patients.

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty is a specialized type of total shoulder replacement where the ball and socket components are reversed. A socket is placed at the end of the humerus and a ball is attached to the shoulder blade. It’s primarily used for people with severe rotator cuff tears. By reversing the ball and socket, the deltoid muscle, which forms the rounded contour of your shoulder, takes over primary responsibility for lifting your arm.

Leading Advancements in Nonsurgical and Surgical Care

Many bone and joint conditions can be managed without orthopedic surgery. Norton Orthopedic Institute offers providers with specialized training in both nonsurgical treatment and surgical interventions for your shoulder pain.

Our nonsurgical orthopedists are board-certified internal or family medicine specialists with additional expertise in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal injuries without surgical procedures.

These nonsurgical orthopedic physicians can guide your treatment and collaborate with physical and occupational therapists to help you return to an active lifestyle as quickly as possible through conservative treatment approaches.

Norton Orthopedic Institute’s Justin M. Givens, M.D., a shoulder orthopedic surgeon, was among the first five surgeons in the country — and the first in Kentucky — to perform a reverse shoulder replacement surgery with Mako SmartRobotics. 

The robotic-arm-assisted procedure offers a higher degree of precision and accuracy by leveraging Mako’s robotic arm and software. The result is surgical care that’s more personalized to your condition, helping improve results and speed recovery.

The technology helps your orthopedic surgeon confirm that the precision of each surgical step is what your condition requires, including real-time feedback to the surgeon to help ensure the implant is positioned within preplanned boundaries.  

Reasons to See an Orthopedic Shoulder Specialist

Many shoulder conditions can be addressed with non-surgical or surgical treatments. 

  • Frozen shoulder
  • Rotator cuff injury
  • Shoulder arthritis
  • Shoulder dislocation
  • Shoulder fracture
  • Shoulder instability
  • Shoulder injury
  • Shoulder labral tear
  • Shoulder separation

Reviewed by Justin M. Givens, M.D.

Meet Our Providers

Care That’s Focused on You

  • Minimally invasive procedures can have you home quickly with less pain and faster recovery.
  • Sophisticated pain management aims to keep you comfortable and safe.
  • We have a deep commitment to getting you moving again and managing your pain so you can keep up with your physical therapy.
  • With 30 orthopedic locations in Louisville, Southern Indiana and surrounding communities, we have specialists near you.
  • Communicate with your provider, manage appointments, refill prescriptions and more, anytime, from a computer or mobile device with a free Norton MyChart account.

Why Choose Norton Orthopedic Institute

More patients choose Norton Orthopedic Institute for hip or knee replacements and other orthopedic procedures than any other health care provider in Louisville or Southern Indiana.

  • About 50 providers, including board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons, offer care at twelve locations in Louisville and Southern Indiana.
  • Same-day appointments often are available.
  • Norton Healthcare is the first health system in the nation to be recognized as an Advanced Orthopedic & Spine Center of Excellence by DNV.
  • Our hip replacement specialists are pioneers in minimally invasive surgeries focused on minimizing pain and recovery time.
  • Robotic-assisted surgical techniques improve precision for a more natural-feeling knee replacement to get you moving again.
  • Educational programs help patients prepare for joint replacement surgery and recovery.
  • Medicare, Medicaid and most major commercial insurance plans are accepted.
  • Your free Norton MyChart account allows you to communicate with your provider, manage appointments, get alerted if an earlier appointment becomes available, refill prescriptions and more from a mobile device or computer.
  • KORT Physical Therapy offers a variety of services, in partnership with Norton Healthcare, at convenient locations throughout Louisville and Southern Indiana. Find a location near you or request an appointment today.

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