Orange County Shoulder Pain and Injury Doctor
Shoulder pain can stem from many conditions, and an accurate diagnosis is key to recovery. Our Orange County specialists use imaging and clinical evaluation to recommend the right treatment, from physical therapy and injections to arthroscopic repair.
Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeons
Advanced Arthroscopic and Reconstructive Shoulder Care
Accepting Patients Throughout Orange County
Dr. Tracey Didinger, MD
Precise Diagnosis
Distinguish between tears, impingement, arthritis, and instability.
Coordinated Conservative Care
Therapy and injections are managed by your specialist.
Arthroscopic and Reconstructive Options
Small-incision repair for tears, instability, and cartilage damage.
Our Los Alamitos Office
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4281 Katella Ave, Ste 120
Los Alamitos, CA 90720 - (562) 732-4578
- Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm
Advanced Orthopaedic Care
4281 Katella Ave Ste 120,
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Shoulder Pain Treatment From an Orange County Injury Specialist
Rest, ice, and anti-inflammatories help with minor strains. They don’t resolve rotator cuff tears, labral injuries, or impingement that has been worsening for months.
When initial remedies stop making a difference, the shoulder needs a proper evaluation from a shoulder pain specialist who can identify the specific structure involved.
At Advanced Orthopaedic Care, that evaluation includes a detailed history review, a hands-on clinical exam, and imaging analysis.
Your doctor explains the diagnosis and walks through every treatment option before recommending a plan.
Common Shoulder Conditions Diagnosed at Advanced Orthopaedic Care
Competitive and recreational athletes, overhead workers, and patients with no athletic history at all walk through our doors with shoulder pain.
The causes vary widely, but each one responds best when the diagnosis is confirmed early.
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Shoulder Instability and Dislocation
Shoulder Instability and Dislocation
Impingement and Inflammation
Impingement and Inflammation
Stiffness and Arthritis
Stiffness and Arthritis
Fractures and Separations
Fractures and Separations
Sports-Related Shoulder Injuries
Sports-Related Shoulder Injuries How Our Orange County Team Diagnoses Shoulder Pain
Detailed History
Symptom timeline, injury mechanism, previous imaging, and treatment history are all reviewed.
Targeted Physical Exam
Specific clinical tests assess rotator cuff function, glenohumeral stability, and labral involvement rather than general shoulder mobility alone.
Advanced Imaging
X-rays evaluate bone structure. MRI identifies soft-tissue injuries with the resolution required for accurate surgical and nonsurgical planning.
Clear Diagnosis
You receive a specific structural diagnosis, a recommended course of treatment, and a realistic recovery projection.
Nonsurgical Shoulder Treatment in Orange County
Conservative treatment can reduce pain, restore range of motion, and rebuild strength around the shoulder joint without an incision. The key is matching the right therapy to a confirmed diagnosis.
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Physical Therapy
Prescribed exercises rebuild the rotator cuff muscles and restore coordinated shoulder movement through progressive loading. - Cortisone Injections Cortisone reduces joint or bursal inflammation that has persisted despite rest, ice, and oral anti-inflammatory medication.
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PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
Concentrated platelets drawn from your own blood may support tendon recovery in selected cases after a thorough evaluation. -
Image-Guided Injections
Every injection is placed under fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance, delivering medication directly to the source of pain. -
Bracing and Activity Modification
Adjustments to daily and athletic activities reduce repetitive strain on the shoulder during the recovery window.
Arthroscopic and Reconstructive Shoulder Surgery in Orange County
Surgery is considered after nonsurgical treatment has been given adequate time and the shoulder still hasn’t improved.
Each procedure is selected based on your imaging, the severity of the injury, and your activity goals.
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Rotator Cuff Repair
The torn tendon is reattached to the bone arthroscopically, restoring overhead strength and pain-free movement. -
Shoulder Arthroscopy
Small-incision access allows the surgeon to treat labral tears, rotator cuff tears, impingement, and instability with minimal tissue disruption. -
Shoulder Stabilization
Arthroscopic labral and capsular repair stops the cycle of recurrent dislocation and cartilage injury. -
Cartilage Restoration
Surgical repair of damaged cartilage preserves the joint and slows progression toward arthritis. -
Shoulder Replacement
Partial or total joint replacement is recommended when the arthritic joint surface no longer responds to injections, therapy, or activity modification.
Why Patients Choose Advanced Orthopaedic Care for Shoulder Pain
The physicians at Advanced Orthopaedic Care have treated shoulder injuries at the professional and collegiate athletic levels.
You’ll get that same standard of evaluation, surgical technique, and rehabilitation planning from our shoulder pain specialists:
Dr. Tracey Didinger
Dr. Didinger is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who completed her fellowship in Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery at the University of Colorado.
She served as assistant team physician for the NHL Colorado Avalanche. She also provides bilingual care in English and Spanish.
Dr. Kushagra Verma
Dr. Verma is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who completed his fellowship in complex spinal deformity. He performs minimally invasive spine procedures using CT-guided and computer-assisted navigation for precision surgical planning.
Hear From Our Patients
Orange County Shoulder Pain and Injury Doctor FAQs
How long is the recovery after arthroscopic shoulder surgery?
Gentle motion starts within the first week. Full recovery takes three to six months, depending on the repair.
Does every rotator cuff tear require surgery?
No. Partial tears frequently improve with physical therapy and injection therapy. Surgery is reserved for large tears or cases where conservative care has failed.
What's the difference between impingement and a rotator cuff tear?
Impingement is tissue compression under the bone. A rotator cuff tear is tendon damage. Imaging separates the two because symptoms alone cannot.
When should I see a shoulder specialist instead of a general doctor?
When your pain has lasted more than a few weeks, when prior treatment hasn’t helped, or when you need a diagnosis confirmed with advanced testing.
Can neck problems cause shoulder pain?
Yes. Cervical nerve compression produces pain that radiates into the shoulder and arm. Both the neck and shoulder are assessed at your visit.
Schedule a Consultation With an Orange County Shoulder Pain Doctor
If your shoulder pain hasn’t improved with rest, medication, or prior treatment, get a fellowship-trained evaluation immediately.
Advanced Orthopaedic Care provides imaging review, clinical examination, and a specific diagnosis at your first appointment.