When it comes to orthopedic care in Naples, Florida, Dr. Steven S. Goldberg stands out as a leader in innovative patient-centered treatment. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Goldberg has consistently focused on providing the best evidence-based treatment in the realm of shoulder arthroscopy and rotator cuff repair. He regularly utilizes new technology once they’ve demonstrated successful results in published research. His commitment to advancing minimally invasive techniques and delivering exceptional outcomes has made him one of the most sought-after orthopedic surgeons in the region.

Advancements in Arthroscopic Surgery

One of Dr. Goldberg’s specialties is shoulder arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgical technique that allows for precise diagnosis and treatment of various shoulder conditions. Unlike traditional open surgeries, arthroscopic procedures involve smaller incisions, where the surgeon introduces a small camera and views the operation on a screen. Compared to open surgery, arthroscopy results in reduced pain, and faster recovery times. This approach has transformed the way shoulder injuries are treated, offering patients a quicker return to their daily activities with fewer complications.

Dr. Goldberg has over 20 years of experience in arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Whether addressing rotator cuff tears, labral injuries, or other shoulder conditions, his innovative techniques ensure optimal outcomes for his patients.

Real-Life Success Stories

Dr. Goldberg’s dedication to excellence shines through in the success stories of his patients. Let’s explore two cases that highlight our innovative approach to shoulder surgery:

Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

This is an example of a common procedure that involves repairing a tear of the rotator cuff. This procedure involves surgically reattaching the torn rotator cuff tendons to the humerus bone, aiming to restore shoulder function and alleviate pain.

Mary (name changed), a retired 65-year-old female who spends her leisure time working out and playing racquet sports, was experiencing sharp, throbbing pain with any movement, when sleeping, reaching behind her back, and working out. She rated her pain at a 9/10 because it was highly affecting her daily and leisure activities. After undergoing diagnostic imaging, Mary was found to have a high-grade partial-thickness rotator cuff tear. After diagnosis, Mary did physical therapy for a few months and also received cortisone injections, however, as the pain was not improving, Mary decided to undergo arthroscopic surgery, a minimally invasive procedure where the rotator cuff muscles get repaired through 3 small stab incisions around the shoulder while the surgeon views the procedure through a camera. 

In just 6 weeks after surgery, Mary’s pain levels went from 9/10 to 6/10. By 3 months postoperative, Mary was able to reach behind her back and lift her arms with ease and reported pain levels up to 1/10. After a few months of recovery, Mary was able to go back to her activities with minimal discomfort. Today, Mary is able to enjoy playing racquet spots and do her daily activities with much better mobility than before and pain-free.

Rotator cuff tissue
Rotator cuff tissue showing crescent shaped defect to be repaired. A shaver instrument cleans the bone surface prior to repair
Suture anchor being inserted to attach tendon to bone
Anchor inserted fully into bone, with visible sutures to be used for tendon repair
Sutures passed through tendon during repair
Lateral row anchor being inserted to complete double row repair
Completed repair, notice crescent defect is no longer visible
Additional view (front) of repaired tendon. Tendon tissue (upper white) repaired to bone (lower white)

Large Rotator Cuff Repair with Bioinductive Implant

This is an example of a more complex, larger rotator cuff tear that involves repairing the rotator cuff as well as the additional step of using a bioinductive implant, a newer technique to strengthen the repair and a promising new direction in treatment of complex rotator cuff tears.

John (name changed), a retired 67-year-old male who spends his leisure time playing tennis, struggled with persistent pain in his left shoulder for over a year. The pain radiated through his shoulder and made it difficult to raise his arm, affecting both his daily life and favorite hobby. After an MRI, he was found to have a full-thickness rotator cuff tear. After diagnosis, John tried treating his left shoulder with 7 months of physical therapy and a cortisone injection. However, when his pain was not improving, he decided to have surgery. He underwent minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery to repair the rotator cuff tear which included repairing the rotator cuff and inserting a bioinductive implant which strengthens and augments the repair, creating a stronger tendon-like structure to help move and lift the arm. 

6 weeks after surgery, John’s pain had dropped from 8/10 to 3/10, and he could lift his arm up to shoulder height. By 3 months, his range of motion had significantly improved, and he regained better rotation oh his shoulder compared to before surgery. By 6 months, John had a completely normal range of motion and only mild pain at 2/10. Today, John is back to playing tennis moderately twice a week and enjoys his daily activities without difficulty. 

Top view showing large defect in rotator cuff. Notice top of the humerus and biceps tendon which normally cannot be visualized with an intact rotator cuff
Provisional repair or rotator cuff has been done. Notice the humerus and biceps tendon are no longer visible
Bioinductive implant (blue and white layer) has been placed on top of the repaired rotator cuff in order to provide additional structural support and strength to rotator cuff
This additional layer will grow into rotator cuff tissue over 3-6 months

Why Choose Dr. Goldberg?

Our practice has spent more than a decade focused on providing best-in-class orthopedic care to our patients with a personal touch. We take great efforts to treat each patient individually and provide excellent communication and service. In addition, Dr. Goldberg’s reputation as an orthopedic innovator ensures that you are getting the most up-to-date and evidence-based options for your diagnosis. He has developed and patented multiple devices for shoulder replacement surgery that have shown excellent results in published research. Each patient receives a custom treatment plan tailored to their unique needs. Patients consistently praise Dr. Goldberg and physician assistant Amy White, PA-C for their compassionate care and outstanding results. 

Take the First Step Toward Recovery

Whether you’re dealing with a complex rotator cuff tear or exploring options for minimally invasive surgery, Dr. Steven S. Goldberg is here to help you achieve lasting relief and improved mobility. Schedule your consultation to start your journey toward recovery with one of Naples’ leading orthopedic experts. By combining cutting-edge techniques with compassionate care, Dr. Goldberg continues to revolutionize orthopedic treatment in Naples—helping patients get back to doing what they love most!