Doctor Brian Butzen
Expertise: Board-Certified and Fellowship trained
Experience Matters - practicing since 2013, 300 shoulder surgeries per year
You deserve a surgeon who Communicates and cares
A surgeon who is also a human
Innovation where it matters
Dr. Butzen is a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder conditions. Known for his exceptional ability to communicate complex medical concepts clearly to patients, Dr. Butzen combines cutting-edge treatment approaches with comprehensive patient care. His patients consistently praise his ability to explain conditions and treatment options in an understandable way, helping them make informed decisions about their care.
The Amazing Architecture of Your Shoulder
Your shoulder is a remarkable piece of biological engineering. At its core is the glenohumeral joint, a ball-and-socket joint where the head of the humerus (upper arm bone) meets the glenoid cavity of the scapula (shoulder blade). The joint is surrounded by the rotator cuff, a group of four muscles and their tendons that provide crucial stability and enable controlled movement: the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis.
The acromion, a bony projection of the scapula, forms a protective roof over the rotator cuff, while the labrum—a ring of specialized cartilage—deepens the socket and enhances stability. The joint capsule, a network of ligaments and connective tissue, encases these structures while allowing for remarkable mobility.
How Your Shoulder Works: The Biomechanics of Motion
The shoulder complex is an engineering marvel that sacrifices some stability for unprecedented mobility. This intricate system involves coordinated movement between multiple joints:
The glenohumeral joint serves as the main shoulder joint, capable of motion in three planes:
Flexion/extension (forward and backward movement)
Abduction/adduction (moving the arm away from and toward the body)
Internal/external rotation (rotating the arm around its long axis)
The scapulothoracic articulation, where your shoulder blade glides along your rib cage, is crucial for proper shoulder function. This movement, called scapulohumeral rhythm, maintains an optimal relationship between the acromion and rotator cuff during arm elevation. For every 15 degrees of arm elevation, approximately 10 degrees comes from the glenohumeral joint and 5 degrees from scapular rotation.
The acromioclavicular (AC) joint and sternoclavicular joint complete the shoulder complex, allowing your collarbone to rotate and elevate, increasing your overall range of motion. This sophisticated system enables activities ranging from throwing a baseball to reaching for a cup in your kitchen cabinet.
Common Shoulder Conditions
Rotator Cuff Tears: These can occur from acute injury or gradual degeneration over time. Tears can range from partial to complete, causing weakness, pain with overhead activities, and night pain that disrupts sleep.
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis): This mysterious condition involves progressive stiffening of the shoulder capsule, leading to severe limitation in both active and passive range of motion. It typically progresses through freezing, frozen, and thawing phases.
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: When the space between the acromion and rotator cuff narrows, the tendons can become pinched during arm elevation. This leads to inflammation, pain, and if untreated, potential rotator cuff damage.
Arthritis: Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can affect the shoulder. Osteoarthritis involves the progressive wearing down of joint cartilage, while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition causing inflammation of the joint lining.
Labral Tears: These injuries to the cartilage ring around the shoulder socket often occur in throwing athletes or after shoulder dislocations. They can cause catching, clicking, and a sense of instability.
Shoulder Instability: This ranges from subtle looseness to complete dislocation, where the ball comes completely out of the socket. It often occurs in young athletes and can lead to recurring dislocations if not properly treated.
Cutting-Edge Treatment Options
Dr. Butzen offers the latest advances in shoulder care, including:
Minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques for rotator cuff repair
Advanced biological treatments to enhance healing
Sophisticated joint preservation techniques
Anatomic and reverse total shoulder replacement when necessary
Customized rehabilitation protocols
Warning Signs You Shouldn't Ignore
Seek professional evaluation if you experience:
Pain that persists beyond a few days
Difficulty raising your arm
Weakness in the shoulder or arm
Clicking or popping sounds during movement
Pain that disrupts sleep
Loss of motion or stiffness that doesn't improve
Early intervention often leads to better outcomes and faster recovery. Dr. Butzen specializes in accurate diagnosis and developing personalized treatment plans that get you back to your active lifestyle as quickly and safely as possible.