AC joint pain is one of the most common causes of shoulder painespecially in active individuals and weightlifters but it’s often misunderstood and overtreated.

In this episode, Dr. Caleb Davis and Dr. Justin Givens break down the anatomy, diagnosis, and treatment of AC joint pathology, including why imaging alone can be misleading and how to truly identify the pain generator.

They discuss key physical exam findings, the role of diagnostic injections, and how to differentiate AC joint pain from rotator cuff issues, biceps pathology, and even cervical spine conditions.

The episode also covers non-operative treatment strategies, including physical therapy and activity modification, as well as when a distal clavicle excision may be appropriate and why that decision should always be made before entering the operating room.

This is a must-listen for anyone dealing with shoulder pain

In this episode of The Shoulder Blueprint Podcast, Dr. Caleb Davis and Dr. Justin Givens discuss one of the most common sources of front shoulder pain: the long head of the biceps tendon.

They explain the anatomy of the proximal biceps, the difference between tendinitis and tendinosis, how biceps pain overlaps with SLAP tears, rotator cuff pathology, and altered shoulder mechanics, and why this tendon so often becomes a major pain generator.

The episode also covers common symptoms, physical exam findings, MRI and ultrasound evaluation, nonoperative treatment with activity modification, therapy, and injections, plus a practical discussion of surgical options including tenotomy, tenodesis, and management of proximal biceps rupture.

If you have ever been told you have biceps tendonitis, a labral issue, or unexplained pain in the front of the shoulder, this episode gives a clear, practical overview of how shoulder specialists diagnose and treat these problems.

Part 2 of our Labrum series is all surgery: Bankart repairs, capsulorrhaphy, anchors (knotless vs knotted, all-suture vs hard-body), and what can go wrong if you overtighten. We also break down remplissage for Hill-Sachs lesions, when glenoid bone loss pushes you toward Latarjet vs distal tibia allograft, and why we’re not “SLAP-happy” anymore—plus where biceps tenodesis fits today, even for some athletes.

We close with a practical recovery overview: sling timing, when strengthening starts, and realistic return-to-sport expectations.

Educational only—not medical advice.