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Shoulder Care

Shoulder Surgery

Comprehensive shoulder care, from arthroscopic repair to total joint reconstruction.

Book Consultation614-526-2150
Board-Certified
20+ yrs
Fellowship Trained
Sports Med
Location
Dublin, OH
Approach
Minimally Invasive
Overview

An approach built around your anatomy.

The shoulder is a large, complex joint you use almost constantly throughout the day — and one of the most vulnerable in the body. Whether the underlying issue is a torn rotator cuff, recurrent dislocation, advanced arthritis, or a fracture, our surgical approach is tailored to the anatomy in front of us, not a template.

Dr. Thomas Kovack is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who has spent more than 20 years specializing in shoulder care. He uses advanced, minimally invasive techniques and state-of-the-art technologies to give patients the best possible long-term shoulder function — and pursues shoulder surgery only when less-invasive options have been exhausted or are clearly inappropriate.

Shoulder Surgery at Advantage Orthopedics, Dublin OH
Advantage Orthopedics

Dr. Thomas Kovack, M.D.

01

When shoulder surgery is the right answer

Most patients we see have already tried physical therapy, anti-inflammatories, activity modification, and often one or more cortisone injections. Surgery comes into the conversation when those measures stop working — or when imaging shows a structural problem (a full-thickness rotator cuff tear, a displaced labral tear, end-stage arthritis, a fracture) that cannot heal on its own.

Every recommendation begins with a clear conversation about non-surgical options, the realistic outcome with and without surgery, and what your week-by-week recovery will look like.

02

Regenerative medicine as a complement to surgery

To promote faster and more complete healing, Dr. Kovack also uses regenerative medicine techniques — including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), bone marrow aspirate, and stem cell treatments. These therapies use cells that contain growth factors capable of meaningfully boosting your body's natural healing processes around a surgical repair.

Scope of Care

What we treat, and how we treat it.

Conditions Treated15

What we treat

  • Rotator cuff tears
  • Labral tears and SLAP tears
  • Pectoralis tendon tears
  • Bankart lesions
  • Shoulder impingement
  • Synovitis
  • Tendinitis
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Joint infection
  • Joint instability and recurrent dislocation
  • Calcific tendinitis
  • AC joint separation
  • Nerve compression
  • Cartilage injuries
  • Shoulder fractures
Procedures Offered17

How we treat it

  • Shoulder arthroscopy
  • Subacromial decompression
  • Distal clavicle excision
  • Debridement
  • Capsular release
  • Joint instability surgery
  • Tendon transfers
  • Nerve decompression
  • Arthroscopic biologic procedures
  • Total shoulder resurfacing
  • Rotator cuff repair
  • Conventional and reverse total shoulder replacement
  • Superior capsular reconstruction
  • Biceps tenodesis and tenotomy
  • Pectoralis tendon repair
  • AC joint reconstruction
  • Cartilage repair and transplant
Recovery & What to Expect

Recovery ranges from roughly 6 weeks for simple arthroscopic procedures to 4–6 months for rotator cuff repair or shoulder replacement. Dr. Kovack outlines a week-by-week plan — sling protocol, motion goals, and return-to-activity milestones — before your surgery date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shoulder Surgery — answers to common questions.

Why would I need shoulder surgery?
Surgery is considered when shoulder pain, weakness, or instability has not improved with conservative care — physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, activity modification, or injections — or when imaging shows a structural injury (a full-thickness rotator cuff tear, labral tear, fracture, or end-stage arthritis) that will not heal on its own.
What conditions can shoulder surgery treat?
Dr. Kovack performs shoulder surgery for rotator cuff tears, labral and SLAP tears, Bankart lesions, frozen shoulder, impingement, AC joint separations, instability, fractures, cartilage injuries, advanced arthritis, and more. The right procedure depends on the underlying diagnosis and your activity goals.
What types of shoulder surgery do you perform?
We perform arthroscopy, subacromial decompression, distal clavicle excision, capsular release, joint instability surgery, tendon transfers, arthroscopic biologic procedures, rotator cuff repair, total and reverse total shoulder replacement, superior capsular reconstruction, biceps tenodesis, and cartilage repair and transplant, among others.
Is shoulder surgery minimally invasive?
Whenever the anatomy allows, yes. Most modern shoulder procedures — including rotator cuff repair, labral repair, capsular release, and many biologic procedures — are performed arthroscopically through small incisions, which means less tissue disruption, less pain, and a faster recovery than traditional open surgery.
How long is recovery after shoulder surgery?
Recovery ranges from about 6 weeks for simple arthroscopic procedures to 4–6 months for rotator cuff repair or shoulder replacement. Dr. Kovack outlines a week-by-week plan before surgery so you know what to expect.
Will I need physical therapy?
Yes. Structured physical therapy is essential for restoring motion and strength after almost every shoulder procedure. We coordinate the protocol with your therapist so the rehab plan matches the surgical repair.
Do you use regenerative medicine with shoulder surgery?
When appropriate, yes. Dr. Kovack uses platelet-rich plasma (PRP), bone marrow aspirate, and stem cell treatments to support healing in soft tissue and around surgical repairs.
Further Reading

Ready to discuss shoulder surgery?

Book a consultation with Dr. Thomas Kovack at Advantage Orthopedics in Dublin, Ohio, or call our office to talk through next steps.

Book ConsultationCall 614-526-2150
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Visit Us

Advantage Orthopedics

Thomas Kovack, D.O.

6670 Perimeter Dr, Suite 140
Dublin, OH 43016
614-526-2150Get directions ↗
614.526.2150
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