Island Care, World-Class Orthopedics · A full-service orthopedic group · Oahu & Big Island News Careers Contact (808) 439-6201

Shoulder & Elbow

Care for shoulders and elbows, from pain to performance

Whether it's a nagging rotator cuff, tennis elbow, instability, or arthritis, most shoulder and elbow problems improve without an operation. Our care is non-surgical by design — precise diagnosis, in-house physical therapy, image-guided injections, MLS laser, and activity modification. And when surgery is genuinely needed, we help you get to the right shoulder specialist.

Request an Appointment → Call (808) 439-6201

Our shoulder & elbow care is non-surgical. We'll tell you honestly what's right for you — including when a surgical referral is. Individual results vary.

Conditions we treat

  • Rotator cuff tears & shoulder pain
  • Shoulder instability & dislocations
  • Tennis & golfer's elbow (tendonitis)
  • Shoulder & elbow arthritis
  • Fractures & sports injuries

Our Approach

Technology-forward, conservative-first

01

Precise diagnosis

Exam plus real-time ultrasound and X-ray to pinpoint the problem.

02

Non-surgical treatment

Physical therapy through PB&J PT, ultrasound-guided injections, MLS laser, bracing, and activity modification.

03

Referral when surgery is needed

We don't operate on shoulders. If surgery is genuinely the right answer, we coordinate a referral to a trusted shoulder specialist — and support your rehab before and after.

A golfer follows through on a swing at a driving range
Repetitive rotational sports like golf are a common source of overuse tendon conditions — golfer's elbow among them — and most improve with a structured non-surgical plan.

Non-Surgical Care

Everything short of surgery, done well

Most shoulder and elbow conditions respond to a well-run non-surgical plan. Ours is built from these tools, matched to your diagnosis and goals.

On-site imaging & diagnosis

X-ray and real-time ultrasound in the office for a fast, accurate answer — often on your first visit.

PB&J Physical Therapy

In-house, surgeon-coordinated therapy — the backbone of shoulder and elbow recovery for most patients.

Learn more →

Ultrasound-guided injections

Corticosteroid or biologic injections placed precisely where they’re needed, under real-time imaging.

Learn more →

MLS Laser Therapy

Non-invasive light therapy to reduce pain and inflammation — often paired with PT.

Learn more →

Activity modification & bracing

Practical changes to technique, workload, and equipment — plus bracing when it helps — so tissue can actually heal.

Coordinated surgical referral

If your shoulder or elbow genuinely needs an operation, we help you get to a trusted shoulder specialist and keep your care connected.

Which options fit you depends on your diagnosis, imaging, and goals. This page is educational and is not a substitute for medical advice; individual results vary.

Research & Evidence

Evidence-based, least-invasive-first

Ultrasound-guided

Real-time ultrasound improves the accuracy of soft-tissue diagnosis and injection placement versus landmark-based technique.

Conservative care

For most shoulder and elbow conditions, therapy and activity changes are proven first-line treatment — and many patients never need surgery at all.

Honest referrals

We don't perform shoulder surgery. When a tear or arthritis genuinely needs an operation, we coordinate a referral to a trusted shoulder specialist and stay involved in your recovery.

Educational summaries simplified from the orthopedic literature; not a promise of results. Not everyone is a candidate. Recommendations follow orthopedic evidence favoring least-invasive, conservative-first care, with ultrasound guidance shown to improve the accuracy of soft-tissue injections; your plan is individualized to your diagnosis.

Explore Related Care

Explore related care

2-Minute Check

Am I a candidate for shoulder or elbow care?

Answer a few quick questions. This is educational and is not a diagnosis — only an evaluation can tell for sure.

Do you have shoulder or elbow pain, weakness, or instability?

Does it limit reaching, lifting, or sleeping on that side?

Have rest and basic therapy failed to resolve it?

Answer all 3 questions to see your result.

Patient Reviews

What patients say

“I am so grateful and blessed to have come across Dr. Paul Morton. I am home recuperating and started walking on my first day after surgery. A great big shout-out to his staff and nurses. Mahalo nui loa.”

— Ann K.· Yelp review

“Dr. Morton and I have been through both a hip and now a total knee replacement. I am more than satisfied with both operations. I know at least another half dozen people who have had joint replacements, and we all agree — Dr. Morton is the one for us.”

— Verified patient· Google review

Review excerpts reflect individual patient experiences and may be lightly condensed. Results vary.

Questions, Answered

Frequently asked questions

Do you perform shoulder or elbow surgery at Pacific Bone & Joint?+

No — our shoulder and elbow care is non-surgical, and most shoulder and elbow problems never need an operation. We focus on precise diagnosis, physical therapy, image-guided injections, MLS laser, and activity modification. When surgery is genuinely the right answer, we help coordinate a referral to a trusted shoulder specialist and continue supporting your recovery.

Do I need surgery for a rotator cuff problem?+

Usually not. Most rotator cuff conditions improve with therapy, activity changes, and image-guided injections. If a tear genuinely needs surgical repair, we'll say so honestly and coordinate a referral to a trusted shoulder specialist.

What is tennis or golfer's elbow?+

They're common overuse tendon conditions on the outside (tennis) or inside (golfer's) of the elbow. Most improve with a structured non-surgical plan.

Do you use ultrasound for shoulder and elbow injections?+

Yes. Ultrasound guidance helps place injections precisely where they're needed, improving accuracy.

Can I be seen quickly for a new injury?+

Yes — acute injuries can often be seen same-day through our Wiki Wiki Orthopedic urgent care.

Shoulder or elbow slowing you down?

Request an evaluation — we'll find the least invasive path back to what you love.

Request an Appointment → Call (808) 439-6201
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