Shoulder Surgery in Lexington
Aptiva Health provides comprehensive shoulder care in Lexington — from the first evaluation through imaging, conservative treatment, surgery, and rehabilitation — anchored by board-certified orthopedic surgeons . Steve Smith, MD and Timothy Wilson, MD We treat the full range of shoulder conditions, prioritizing conservative care first — physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and targeted injections — and offering minimally invasive surgical options including shoulder arthroscopy, rotator cuff repair, labral repair, and total and reverse shoulder replacement when surgery becomes the right answer. With on-site MRI, on-site physical therapy, and an in-house orthopedic and sports medicine team, the entire shoulder care pathway happens under one roof.
Medically reviewed by J. Steve Smith, MD and Timothy Wilson, MD. Last reviewed: July 2026.
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Why Patients Choose Aptiva Health for Shoulder Care in Lexington
One Shoulder Team, One Care Pathway
Most shoulder patients in Lexington end up coordinating care across three or four practices: a primary care office for the referral, a separate imaging center for the MRI, an orthopedic specialist booked weeks out, an injection appointment somewhere else, and a separate physical therapy practice for rehab. Each handoff is another week of delay, another insurance authorization, another appointment to drive to.
Aptiva Health is structured differently. From the initial evaluation through MRI, conservative care, injections, surgery, and post-operative rehab, the patient stays inside one organization. The surgeon, the orthopedic PA and APRN, the physical therapist, and the imaging center all share the same chart and the same plan.
Conservative Care First, Surgery When It's Right
Most shoulder problems do not require surgery. Our shoulder team starts every patient with the least-invasive treatment that is likely to work — physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, activity modification, and targeted shoulder injections. We measure progress, image when needed, and only recommend surgery when the patient's symptoms and imaging both indicate it is the right step.
When surgery is the right answer, we use minimally invasive techniques whenever the anatomy allows — smaller incisions, less tissue disruption, less pain, and a faster return to normal activity.
Same-Week Shoulder Evaluations
Aptiva Health Lexington offers same-day and same-week orthopedic appointments. Patients do not wait months for a first visit. New patients with imaging in hand can often be evaluated within 7 days of calling, and acute shoulder injuries can be seen right away through our Immediate Injury Care walk-in clinic, including on-site X-ray.
On-Site Imaging and Therapy in Lexington
Aptiva Health sees shoulder patients with on-site MRI imaging and Aptiva orthopedic, sports medicine, interventional pain, and physical therapy services available close to home. No separate trip to an outside imaging center, no long wait for the scan.
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Meet the Lexington Shoulder Team
J. Steve Smith, MD - Director of Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine
Dr. Steve Smith is the Director of Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine at Aptiva Health and a board-certified orthopedic surgeon. He graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, trained at the University of Rochester, and completed a sports medicine fellowship at the renowned Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles, where he served on the medical staff for the Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Anaheim Ducks. He has performed thousands of orthopedic procedures on patients and athletes of all ages and treats the full range of knee conditions, from sports injuries and meniscus and ligament tears to knee arthritis and knee replacement. He has been nominated as the best orthopedic surgeon in Kentucky in 2026.
Timothy Wilson, MD - Orthopedic Surgeon · Sports Medicine Subspecialty
Timothy Wilson, MD is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with subspecialty certification in sports medicine, practicing at Aptiva Health since 2019. He earned his medical degree from the University of Louisville, completed his orthopaedic residency at the University of Alabama Hospitals, and finished his sports medicine fellowship at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Wilson has spent more than 20 years caring for athletes and active patients across Kentucky — including past appointments as team physician for the University of Kentucky Athletics, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Georgetown College, and Scott County High School.
Scott Christensen, PA-C — Physician Assistant - Aptiva Health
Scott Christensen, PA-C has been a physician assistant for nearly 25 years. Scott completed his physician assistant studies at the University of Kentucky in 1997. Scott works as Dr. Huhn’s physician assistant seeing patients in both Lexington and Louisville for urgent medical needs, general medical examinations, and walk-in medical appointments.
Shoulder Conditions We Treat in Lexington
Our Lexington shoulder team evaluates and treats the full range of shoulder injuries and degenerative conditions:
Rotator cuff tears — partial or full-thickness tears of the rotator cuff tendons, from injury or age-related wear.
Labral tears and SLAP tears — tears of the cartilage rim that deepens the shoulder socket, including tears at the top of the labrum.
Shoulder impingement and rotator cuff tendinitis — pinching and inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons beneath the shoulder blade.
Shoulder instability and dislocation — a shoulder that slips partially or fully out of the socket, including recurrent dislocations.
Shoulder arthritis — cartilage wear in the shoulder joint that produces pain, stiffness, and reduced motion.
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) — progressive stiffness and pain that limits shoulder motion.
AC joint injuries — separations and arthritis of the acromioclavicular joint at the top of the shoulder.
Biceps tendon injuries — inflammation, partial tears, and ruptures of the long head of the biceps tendon.
Shoulder bursitis — inflammation of the fluid-filled sac that cushions the rotator cuff.
Shoulder fractures — fractures of the upper arm bone, collarbone, and shoulder blade.
Work-related and auto-accident shoulder injuries — evaluated and treated under workers' compensation and auto injury coverage.
Shoulder Surgeries Performed in Lexington
When conservative care has not provided sufficient relief, our Lexington shoulder surgeons perform the full range of minimally invasive and joint replacement procedures. Most are performed on an outpatient or short-stay basis at the appropriate surgical center.
Arthroscopic (minimally invasive) shoulder surgery
Shoulder arthroscopy — a small camera and instruments inserted through tiny incisions to diagnose and treat problems inside the shoulder.
Rotator cuff repair — reattaching torn rotator cuff tendons to the bone to restore strength and motion.
Labral and SLAP repair — repairing a torn labrum, including tears at the top of the socket.
Shoulder stabilization (Bankart repair) — tightening and repairing the structures that hold the shoulder in the socket to stop recurrent dislocation.
Subacromial decompression — removing inflamed tissue and bone to relieve rotator cuff impingement.
Biceps tenodesis — repairing or re-anchoring a damaged biceps tendon.
AC joint surgery — treating arthritis or separation of the AC joint at the top of the shoulder.
Shoulder replacement surgery
Total shoulder replacement — resurfacing an arthritic shoulder joint while keeping its natural ball-and-socket orientation, used when the rotator cuff is intact.
Reverse total shoulder replacement — reversing the ball-and-socket positions so other muscles can power the arm, used when the rotator cuff is torn or no longer functional.
Non-surgical shoulder procedures
Many shoulder patients avoid surgery entirely with conservative treatment delivered by our orthopedic PA and APRN:
Shoulder injections — including corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and pain.
PRP injections — platelet-rich plasma and regenerative injections for select patients.
Physical therapy — to rebuild shoulder strength, motion, and stability.
The Aptiva Stepped-Care Approach to Shoulder Conditions
Shoulder surgery is rarely a first-line treatment. Our Lexington shoulder team follows a stepped-care approach that gives every patient the best chance of resolving symptoms without surgery.
Step 1 — Activity modification, medication, and self-care. NSAIDs, ice and heat, avoiding overhead and aggravating activities, and a home exercise program.
Step 2 — Physical therapy and non-invasive treatment. Shoulder-specific strengthening and mobility protocols, manual therapy, and rotator cuff and scapular retraining.
Step 3 — Shoulder injections. Corticosteroid injections and, for select patients, regenerative injections, administered by our orthopedic PA and APRN — many of which provide lasting relief and prevent the need for surgery.
Step 4 — Minimally invasive surgery or shoulder replacement when conservative care has not provided sufficient relief or when the diagnosis clearly requires surgical treatment.
Many patients reach Step 2 or Step 3 and stop there — their symptoms resolve and they do not need surgery. For the patients who do need surgery, the stepped-care evaluation makes sure the procedure is targeting the right problem.
When Should You See an Aptiva Shoulder Surgeon in Lexington?
Most shoulder pain comes on gradually and resolves with conservative care. Certain patterns warrant prompt evaluation by an orthopedic specialist:
Shoulder pain that has not improved after 4–6 weeks of rest, activity modification, over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, and basic strengthening.
Weakness lifting or reaching — difficulty raising the arm overhead or out to the side.
Shoulder pain that worsens at night or wakes you up, or that makes it hard to sleep on that side.
A shoulder that slips, catches, or feels unstable.
Significant loss of motion — a shoulder that is becoming progressively stiffer.
A shoulder injury from sports, a fall, or a work or auto accident.
A prior shoulder surgery that did not provide the relief expected.
Get to an emergency room or urgent care immediately if you experience: an obvious shoulder deformity after an injury, a shoulder that is locked or clearly dislocated, inability to move the arm after trauma, or numbness and loss of circulation in the arm or hand. These can indicate a fracture, dislocation, or nerve or vascular injury.
For non-emergency shoulder evaluation, Aptiva Health Lexington offers same-day and same-week appointments — patients do not wait months to be seen.
Schedule a Shoulder Consultation in Lexington — Schedule Now
Aptiva Health – Lexington: 230 Fountain Court, Suite 180 Lexington, KY 40509
Our office sits in the Hamburg area off Sir Barton Way, convenient to Man o' War Boulevard and I-75. We serve patients across Lexington and surrounding communities:
Downtown Lexington — approx. 10 minutes
Nicholasville — approx. 20 minutes
Georgetown — approx. 20 minutes
Winchester — approx. 20 minutes
Richmond — approx. 25 minutes
Versailles — approx. 25 minutes
Frankfort — approx. 35 minutes
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Walk-in injury care availability may vary; call ahead to confirm.
Insurance accepted: Most major medical insurance, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, most Indiana Medicaid plans, workers' compensation, auto injury coverage (PIP and MedPay), and cash-pay.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shoulder Surgery in Lexington
Who performs shoulder surgery at Aptiva Health Lexington?
Shoulder care at Aptiva Health Lexington is led by J. Steve Smith, MD and Timothy Wilson, MD, experienced orthopedic surgeons who evaluate and treat a wide range of shoulder conditions.
Dr. Smith and Dr. Wilson provide surgical and non-surgical orthopedic care for conditions such as rotator cuff injuries, shoulder instability, arthritis, labral injuries, and other shoulder problems. They also work with Aptiva Health’s imaging and physical therapy teams to coordinate care from evaluation through recovery.
Where can I see a shoulder surgeon in Lexington?
Aptiva Health provides orthopedic care in Lexington, Kentucky, serving patients throughout Lexington and the surrounding Central Kentucky communities.
Patients can access orthopedic evaluations, imaging, physical therapy, and other supportive services through the Aptiva Health network, helping keep diagnosis, treatment planning, and rehabilitation coordinated within one organization.
Do I need shoulder surgery?
Not necessarily. Many shoulder conditions can improve with non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy, activity modification, medication, or targeted injections when appropriate.
Surgery may be considered when symptoms continue to limit daily activities, work, sleep, or sports despite conservative care, or when imaging and examination reveal an injury that may benefit from surgical treatment. Dr. Smith or Dr. Wilson will review your symptoms, examination, and imaging to help determine the most appropriate next step.
What is the difference between a total and reverse shoulder replacement?
A total shoulder replacement replaces damaged parts of the shoulder joint while maintaining the joint’s natural ball-and-socket orientation.
A reverse shoulder replacement changes the position of the ball and socket so other muscles can help move the arm when the rotator cuff is severely damaged or no longer functioning well.
Your orthopedic surgeon will review your shoulder condition, imaging, rotator cuff function, and goals to determine which option may be appropriate.
What shoulder conditions does Aptiva Health Lexington treat?
Aptiva Health Lexington evaluates and treats a broad range of shoulder conditions, including rotator cuff tears, labral and SLAP tears, shoulder impingement, shoulder instability and dislocation, shoulder arthritis, frozen shoulder, AC joint injuries, biceps tendon injuries, bursitis, and sports-, work-, and auto-related shoulder injuries.
How long is recovery after shoulder surgery?
Recovery depends on the procedure, the condition being treated, and the individual patient.
Some arthroscopic procedures may have a shorter recovery period, while rotator cuff repair, labral repair, and shoulder replacement generally require a more gradual rehabilitation process. Physical therapy may be included in your recovery plan to help restore motion, strength, and function.
Your Aptiva Health orthopedic team will provide individualized guidance based on your procedure and progress.
Can I avoid shoulder surgery?
Many patients can. Depending on the condition, shoulder pain may improve with physical therapy, activity modification, medication, injections, or other conservative treatments.
Aptiva Health Lexington focuses on developing an appropriate treatment plan based on your diagnosis, symptoms, goals, and response to non-surgical care. Surgery is considered when conservative treatment has not provided enough improvement or when the nature of the injury makes surgical treatment appropriate.
What is shoulder arthroscopy?
Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique that uses a small camera and specialized instruments inserted through small incisions around the shoulder.
It may be used to evaluate and treat conditions such as rotator cuff tears, labral injuries, shoulder impingement, and other problems within the joint. Whether arthroscopy is appropriate depends on your diagnosis and the type of treatment needed.
How quickly can I be seen for a shoulder evaluation at Aptiva Health Lexington?
Aptiva Health Lexington offers convenient orthopedic appointment availability for patients with new injuries, ongoing shoulder pain, or an existing diagnosis.
If you already have X-rays, MRI images, or previous medical records, bringing them to your appointment can help the orthopedic team better understand your condition and treatment history. Patients with more urgent orthopedic concerns may also be able to access Immediate Injury Care through Aptiva Health.
Does Aptiva Health Lexington provide second-opinion shoulder consultations?
Yes. Patients who have already been evaluated elsewhere can schedule a second-opinion orthopedic consultation with Aptiva Health Lexington.
Bringing previous X-rays, MRI or CT images, reports, and relevant physician notes can make the consultation more useful. Dr. Smith or Dr. Wilson can review your condition and discuss surgical and non-surgical treatment options based on your individual needs.
Does Aptiva Health Lexington treat work-related and auto-accident shoulder injuries?
Yes. Aptiva Health evaluates and treats shoulder injuries related to work and auto accidents.
Patients may receive care through workers’ compensation or auto injury coverage when applicable. The Aptiva Health team can help coordinate documentation, treatment, and communication related to these cases.
What insurance does Aptiva Health Lexington accept for shoulder surgery?
Insurance coverage varies by plan and service. Aptiva Health works with many major commercial insurance plans, as well as Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid plans, workers’ compensation, auto-injury coverage, and self-pay arrangements.
The Aptiva Health team can help verify your benefits and discuss anticipated coverage before treatment.