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Shoulder pain can make simple tasks hard and active hobbies feel impossible. At Sunnyvale Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery Center, board-certified Dallas shoulder doctor and sports medicine specialist Dr. John M. Hibbitts focuses on diagnosing and treating shoulder injuries for patients from Sunnyvale, Dallas, and across Central Texas. With more than 20 years of experience, he offers both nonsurgical and surgical options to relieve pain, restore mobility, and help you get back to the activities you enjoy.
The shoulder is a ball and socket joint connecting your arm to your torso and allowing wide motion. Key bones include the humerus, scapula with its acromion and coracoid process, and the clavicle, which stabilizes the joint.
Layers of muscle and tendon, including the deltoid, rotator cuff, trapezius, rhomboids, pectorals, biceps and triceps, move and support the shoulder. Rotator cuff tendons, the labrum and fluid filled bursae keep the joint stable, cushioned and mobile.
Everyday reaching, lifting, pushing, pulling and throwing rely on smooth coordination of these structures. Sports with repeated overhead actions, such as pitching, swimming, tennis and volleyball, place extra load on the rotator cuff and labrum.
Jobs that require frequent lifting or working with the hands at or above shoulder height also increase strain, especially with poor posture or lifting mechanics.
Because it is highly mobile, the shoulder sacrifices some stability. Limited space between bones and soft tissues makes it vulnerable to irritation from overuse, heavy lifting, awkward falls and age related wear, leading to impingement, tendonitis, bursitis, tears and labral injuries if not treated.
Many shoulder problems begin with sports. A fall on an outstretched arm, a direct collision, or a forceful throw can cause fractures, dislocations, labral tears, or rotator cuff tears. Repetitive overhead actions such as pitching, swimming, tennis serves, and volleyball spikes place ongoing stress on the rotator cuff and labrum, leading to impingement, tendonitis, and partial tears that worsen over time.
Slips and falls, car accidents, and work injuries frequently damage the shoulder. Bracing during a fall or taking a direct hit can injure the clavicle, proximal biceps tendon, labrum, or surrounding soft tissues. Jobs that require repeated lifting, pushing, pulling, or overhead work can strain ligaments and tendons month after month, eventually causing chronic pain and weakness.
Many patients develop symptoms gradually. Repeated motions at work, during home chores, or in hobbies can create tiny tears in tendons and irritation in the bursa or rotator cuff. Without rest and proper treatment, these seemingly minor issues can progress into long term pain, stiffness, and loss of strength.
Arthritis is a common source of shoulder pain. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage wears down with age and use. Inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis occur when the immune system attacks joint tissues. Both can cause stiffness, grinding, and pain with movement or even at rest. In advanced cases, shoulder replacement may offer lasting relief.
Children and teens are not immune to shoulder problems, especially if they play overhead or contact sports. Growth plates are more vulnerable to stress, and poor technique or overtraining can lead to overuse injuries. Any child with ongoing pain, visible deformity, or pain that limits sport or daily activity should be evaluated by a specialist.
Mid-shoulder pain often feels deep along the outside of the upper arm or across the side of the shoulder. It can come from structures inside the joint, including the rotator cuff, labrum, or bursa, and may be worse when lifting the arm, lying on that side, or reaching behind the back. Persistent mid-shoulder pain may signal impingement, tendonitis, partial tears, or early arthritis.
Pain that is sharp with certain movements, dull and aching at rest, or radiates down the arm can all indicate shoulder disease or injury. Pain that wakes you at night, keeps you from lying on the affected side, or limits daily tasks deserves prompt attention.
Difficulty lifting, rotating, or reaching behind your back can suggest stiffness, inflammation, or frozen shoulder. Because frozen shoulder often progresses through painful stages with increasing loss of motion, early diagnosis and treatment can shorten the course and reduce long term disability.
A shoulder that feels loose, slips, or “pops out” may have instability from previous dislocation or ligament damage. Clicking, popping, or grinding can signal cartilage wear, labral tears, or other mechanical problems, particularly when these sensations occur with pain or weakness.
You should see a Dallas shoulder doctor quickly if you develop sudden pain after a fall, collision, or heavy lift, notice deformity or bruising, cannot move the arm normally, or lose strength when lifting or rotating the arm. Worsening pain or stiffness despite rest, or repeated episodes of the shoulder slipping out of place, may indicate fractures, full thickness tears, or structural damage that responds best to early specialist care.
Your visit starts with a discussion of your symptoms and injuries. Dr. Hibbitts then examines posture, range of motion, and strength, using tests to detect impingement, instability, rotator cuff tears, labral damage, and other issues.
When needed, imaging confirms the diagnosis. X-rays assess bone alignment and arthritis, while MRI, CT, and ultrasound evaluate soft tissues and joint motion.
By combining your history, exam, and imaging, Dr. Hibbitts identifies the source of your middle shoulder pain and explains it clearly. Together, you choose treatments that match your goals, from physical therapy and injections to arthroscopic surgery or other procedures.
Sports-related shoulder injuries can create chronic issues if not treated by a Dallas shoulder specialist. Whether caused by a sudden injury or overuse over time, Contact Us immediately if you experience any of these symptoms:
Call Dallas shoulder specialist Dr. John Hibbitts if you experience any middle shoulder pain. Make an appointment today!
RICE is often the first step for new injuries. Limiting activity, using a sling or brace, applying ice, gently compressing the area, and elevating the shoulder can reduce pain and swelling while your specialist evaluates the injury.
Custom physical therapy programs focus on stretching tight structures, strengthening weak muscles, improving posture, and restoring healthy movement patterns. Therapy is particularly important after rotator cuff injuries, impingement, frozen shoulder, or surgery.
For some patients, targeted injections of corticosteroid or other medications into or around the joint can calm inflammation and provide significant pain relief. Injections are often combined with physical therapy so that reduced pain makes it easier to perform exercises correctly.
Nonprescription and prescription medicines, including anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics, can help manage mild to moderate pain. When appropriate, your treatment plan may also include topical medications, bracing, activity modifications, or work restrictions to protect the healing shoulder.
When structural damage is significant or non-surgical care is not enough, arthroscopic surgery may be recommended by your Dallas shoulder doctor. Through small incisions and a camera, Dallas shoulder doctor Dr. Hibbitts can repair rotator cuff tears, labral tears, and unstable ligaments, often on an outpatient basis with smaller scars and faster recovery than traditional open procedures.
For stubborn frozen shoulder that does not respond to therapy and injections, arthroscopic release can remove scar tissue and loosen tight ligaments, helping restore motion and reduce pain.
In advanced arthritis or severe joint damage, your Dallas shoulder doctor may recommend shoulder replacement to offer long term pain relief and improved function. Dr. Hibbitts will discuss whether partial or total replacement is appropriate and what to expect before and after surgery.
For selected patients with large or complex rotator cuff tears, Dallas shoulder doctor Dr. Hibbitts offers the InSpace balloon system, an innovative device that cushions and supports damaged tissues while they heal. This arthroscopic, outpatient technique can reduce pain, improve motion, and in some cases reduce the need for more invasive surgery.
Since 2000, Dallas should doctor, Dr. Hibbitts has focused on orthopedic sports medicine, using extensive training and experience to treat complex shoulder conditions.
Our clinic near Highway 80 and I 635 serves Sunnyvale, Dallas, Rowlett, Mesquite, and surrounding areas with coordinated, patient centered shoulder care.
We accept TRICARE, workers compensation, and many commercial plans, offer discounts for first responders, and care for student athletes from local schools.
Short term soreness can start with primary care, but persistent or night pain should be evaluated by a shoulder specialist.
No. Many problems respond to rest, therapy, injections, and activity changes; surgery is reserved for significant structural damage or persistent symptoms.
Risks include infection, bleeding, stiffness, nerve irritation, and anesthesia complications, which are discussed before you decide on surgery.
Minor arthroscopic procedures may allow light activity within weeks, while major repairs or replacements often require several months of rehabilitation.
Yes. Growing bones and growth plates can be injured differently, so any ongoing pain, swelling, or functional change in a child’s shoulder needs evaluation.
Sunnyvale Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery Center is at 2858 N Belt Line Road, Suite 600, Sunnyvale, Texas 75182. To schedule an appointment with shoulder injury specialist Dr. John M. Hibbitts, call the office or request a visit online.
We accept major insurance plans, workers compensation, TRICARE, and offer discounts for law enforcement, firefighters, and other first responders.
Bring a photo ID, insurance card, necessary referrals, prior imaging and reports if available, a medication list, and notes about your symptoms.
Dr. John M. Hibbitts has diagnosed and treated shoulder pain and injuries for more than 20 years. Founder of the Sunnyvale Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center, he is a top specialist in shoulder injuries in the Sunnyvale and Dallas, Texas, areas.
Bringing high-quality shoulder care to all populations, we
The Sunnyvale Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center is conveniently located near Highway 80, only minutes from I-635.
If shoulder pain is limiting your work, sleep, or active lifestyle, do not wait to get help. Contact Sunnyvale Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery Center today to schedule a visit with Dr. John M. Hibbitts. Our team is ready to evaluate your shoulder, explain your options, and help you take the next step toward relief.
You do not have to live with ongoing shoulder pain or accept reduced activity as your new normal. With experienced diagnosis, personalized treatment, and focused rehabilitation, many patients regain strength, motion, and confidence in their shoulder. Schedule your consultation today and let our Dallas area shoulder specialist help you get back to the life you enjoy.