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.

The shoulder labrum is one of the most misunderstood structures in the body and the word “labrum tear” can mean very different things depending on where the tear is.

In Part 1 of our Labrum series, Dr. Caleb Davis and Dr. Justin Givens break down the labrum anatomy and the key tear patterns:

• Clock-face anatomy (12 o’clock biceps anchor; front vs back of the socket)

• Bankart tears and why most shoulder dislocations go out the front

• Hill-Sachs and bony Bankart injuries (and why bone changes the risk discussion)

• Why many first-time dislocators don’t need surgery

• SLAP tears and why they’re commonly seen on MRI (especially over age 40)

• Posterior labrum tears: who gets them and what they feel like

• The key instability exam tests: apprehension and relocation

Next episode: we’ll get into treatment and surgery — what to try first, when surgery makes sense, and what’s changed in modern shoulder care.

Contact: info@calebdavismd.com
IG/X/TikTok: @calebdavismd | Podcast IG: @shoulderblueprint
Dr. Givens: @givensshoulderelbow

Medical disclaimer: Educational content only, not medical advice. Consult a physician for personal guidance.

In this episode of The Shoulder Blueprint, orthopedic surgeons Dr. Caleb Davis and Dr. Justin Givens dive deep into how frozen shoulder is actually treated — from early pain control to advanced surgical options.We break down:✔️ When you really need an MRI (and when you don’t)✔️ Steroid injections vs oral medications✔️ How physical therapy should change by phase✔️ Why aggressive therapy can backfire early✔️ PRP, hydrodilation, and other controversial treatments✔️ When surgery becomes necessary✔️ Manipulation under anesthesia vs capsular release✔️ Surgical risks, recovery, and expectations✔️ How to reduce your risk of frozen shoulder in the futureThis is Part 2 of our frozen shoulder series, focused on practical, evidence-based treatment strategies and patient education.If you or someone you love is dealing with shoulder stiffness, pain, or loss of motion, this episode will help you understand what’s happening — and what actually works.

Frozen shoulder is one of the most painful conditions we treat — and one of the most misunderstood.

In Part 1 of our frozen shoulder series, orthopedic surgeons Dr. Caleb Davis and Dr. Justin Givens break down what adhesive capsulitis really is, why it happens, and why it can derail your life for months or even years.

We cover:

• What frozen shoulder actually is (and why it’s not really “frozen”)
• The classic progression: freezing → frozen → thawing
• The key exam finding that confirms the diagnosis
• Why diabetes, thyroid disease, menopause, and high cholesterol increase risk
• The metabolic and inflammatory drivers behind the condition
• Why diabetics often have the most severe and longest-lasting cases
• Why it eventually gets better — but takes patience and strategy

If your shoulder pain started out of nowhere, keeps getting worse, and your motion is disappearing, this episode will help you understand exactly what’s happening inside your joint.

🎙 The Shoulder Blueprint — patient education from real shoulder surgeons.

Follow us: @CalebDavisMD @GivensShoulderElbow @ShoulderBlueprint

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CrossFit gets blamed for a lot of shoulder injuries — but the real story is more complicated.

In this episode of The Shoulder Blueprint Podcast, orthopedic shoulder surgeon Dr. Caleb Davis sits down with physical therapist Luke Bram to break down what’s actually safe in CrossFit, what quietly destroys joints, and how to train for long-term shoulder health.

This is a practical, no-nonsense conversation for lifters, athletes, coaches, and anyone who wants their shoulders to still work decades from now.

We cover:

• Why CrossFit gets so much hate — and when it’s deserved

• The real injury drivers: fatigue, ego lifting, and poor recovery

• How training needs to change after 25, 30, and 40

• When Olympic lifts build power — and when they become dangerous

• Why tendons fail even when muscles feel strong

• How slow eccentric training helps treat tendonitis and prevent injury

• The role of wearables (WHOOP, Oura) in smarter recovery decisions

We also dive into modern rehab and sports medicine:

• Dry needling, cupping, electrical stimulation, and blood flow restriction

• What these modalities do, when they help, and when they don’t

• Why steroids and anti-inflammatories don’t heal tissue — but can help you rehab

• How surgeons and physical therapists decide when surgery is necessary

Plus:

• Shoulder instability and labrum injuries

• Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis): phases, night pain, injections, therapy, and surgery

• Why diabetes makes frozen shoulder harder to treat

Educational only. Not medical advice.

In this episode of The Shoulder Blueprint, Dr. Caleb Davis is joined by physical therapist Luke Brohm, PT, DPT, OCS to break down what physical therapy really looks like for shoulder injuries and when surgery is actually necessary.They discuss why many patients are told they have a “rotator cuff problem” when the real issue is poor scapular control, how physical therapy addresses shoulder pain at its root, and how PT and orthopedic surgery work together to get patients back to living pain-free.This episode covers:-The most common shoulder problems seen in physical therapy clinics-Why scapular dyskinesia is often the real cause of shoulder pain-When physical therapy works and when surgery is the right option-How imaging findings don’t always explain pain-Injury prevention tips for lifting, daily life, and long-term shoulder health-What “prehab” is and why it improves surgical outcomesWhether you’re dealing with shoulder pain, trying to avoid surgery, or just want to understand how the shoulder actually works, this episode offers clear, practical insight from both a surgeon and a physical therapist.🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes covering shoulder injuries, treatment options, and injury prevention.📩 Questions or topic requests? Email info@calebdavismd.com