Return to lifting, training, and performing without shoulder pain. If weakness, stiffness, or painful overhead movement limits you, board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Stephanie Buza provides individualized care for shoulder impingement and rotator cuff tears.
Rebuild Strength and Shoulder Function
Shoulder impingement occurs when tissues within your shoulder become compressed or irritated as you raise your arm, often causing pain with overhead movement. A rotator cuff tear affects one or more tendons that help stabilize and move your shoulder. These conditions may develop from repetitive activity, injury, or wear over time. Pain, weakness, and limited motion can make lifting, training, throwing, dancing, or performing difficult, especially when your activities demand repeated or powerful shoulder movement.
Signs & Symptoms of Shoulder Impingement & Rotator Cuff Tears:
- Pain when lifting or reaching overhead
- Shoulder pain that worsens with activity
- Weakness when lifting or rotating your arm
- Pain when lowering your arm
- Reduced shoulder range of motion
- Pain or discomfort at night
- Difficulty lying on the affected shoulder
- Clicking, popping, or catching sensations
- Trouble throwing, lifting, training, or performing
- Difficulty completing everyday tasks that require reaching
Treatment Options for Shoulder Impingement & Rotator Cuff Tears
Your treatment begins with determining which structures are causing your pain and how much the problem affects your shoulders. Dr. Buza evaluates your symptoms, range of motion, and activity demands, using imaging when appropriate to assess the rotator cuff and surrounding structures. Treatment is individualized around your diagnosis, injury severity, and goals.
Conservative Joint Care
When surgery is not initially necessary, conservative care may focus on reducing irritation while restoring shoulder strength. Treatment can include activity modification, physical therapy, and appropriate pain or inflammation management. Therapy typically strengthens the rotator cuff and muscles controlling your shoulder blade while improving mobility. As symptoms improve, exercises can progress toward lifting, throwing, training, or general performance.
Shoulder Arthroscopy
Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure performed through small incisions. Dr. Buza inserts a small camera into the joint to view the structures inside your shoulder and uses specialized instruments to address damaged or irritated tissue when appropriate. Compared with a large open incision, this minimally invasive approach provides targeted access to the shoulder while allowing treatment to be tailored to the specific problem identified.
Rotator Cuff Repair
When a significant rotator cuff tear requires surgery, Dr. Buza can repair the damaged tendon arthroscopically. Through small incisions, Dr. Buza identifies the torn tendon, prepares its attachment site on the upper arm bone, and carefully secures the tendon back to the bone using anchors and sutures. Rehabilitation then protects the repair while progressively restoring motion and strength before you return to higher-demand activities.
Move Better. Feel
Stronger. Get Back Out There.
Schedule Your Consultation for Shoulder Impingement &
Rotator Cuff Tears Treatment in NYC
Dr. Stephanie Buza is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with advanced fellowship training in sports medicine and shoulder surgery at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). She provides individualized care for athletes, performers, and active people, with treatment focused on restoring shoulder strength, movement, and function. Schedule your consultation for shoulder impingement and rotator cuff tear treatment in NYC.
