Dr. Donnis Harrison, Shoulder and Elbow Specialist

04/29/2026

Mr. Patient: “My dear doctor, I find myself in a most troubling predicament, for I suspect that I have inadvertently torn the delicate fibers of my rotator cuff. Such an affliction is not merely a source of physical discomfort but a reminder of our fragile humanity, a whisper from the body that we are, after all, mortal beings subject to the trials of this earthly existence.”

This scenario occurs frequently during my clinical duties as a shoulder specialist. I walk into an exam room to hear a patient worried they may have sustained a rotator cuff injury to their shoulder. My previous post discusses rotator cuff tendonitis, so there are several overlapping details. Clinically, the symptoms can be very similar and difficult to determine solely on physical exam. The most common symptoms of rotator cuff tears include severe night pain, pain with arm elevation, weakness with arm rotation or elevation, and shoulder popping when moving.

Rotator cuff tears are the result of either acute traumatic injuries or degenerative tearing of the tendon. Acute traumatic injuries are typically the result of a fall, lifting a heavy object, or a traumatic accident such as an automobile accident. Degenerative tearing of the tendon is the most common cause of rotator cuff tearing, usually from repetitive push, pull, and lifting.

Clinically, the involved shoulder will exhibit pain with range of motion and will usually have weakness on rotator cuff testing. Radiographic images are performed to rule out arthritis of the glenohumeral joint and other causes of shoulder pain. After completing radiographs, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will provide a comprehensive diagnostic workup. The MRI will provide several important factors for assessing rotator cuff pathology, such as tear size, retraction, and fatty atrophy.

Not all rotator cuffs require surgical repair; when indicated, I perform these repairs arthroscopically. The post-operative management consists of sling immobilization for 6 weeks and several weeks of physical therapy.

04/13/2026

Shoulder pain is one of the most common physical ailments, with an estimated 6.2 million physician visits annually related to this issue. The good news is that approximately 4.5 million of those visits are due to rotator cuff tendinopathy. If you’re experiencing nagging shoulder pain when reaching for a coffee cup, it’s likely not a rotator cuff tear but rather tendonitis. In fact, the vast majority of patients I evaluate in the clinic do not have a rotator cuff tears but instead suffer from tendonitis.

This type of shoulder pain often leads to severe discomfort at night, disrupting sleep and potentially resulting in further complications, such as fatigue, grogginess (brain fog), mood changes, and cognitive impairments. Fortunately, 80-90% of patients can be treated successfully without surgery. Classic symptoms include pain during overhead activities, pain at night, and weakness when reaching behind your back.

So, what causes rotator cuff tendonitis? I like to explain to my patients that it can arise from everyday activities, but individuals such as overhead athletes, painters, electricians, desk workers, or anyone who performs repetitive arm movements are particularly at risk.

The first line of treatment involves obtaining radiographic images and conducting a clinical examination to confirm the diagnosis. If rotator cuff tendonitis is determined to be the most likely issue, the recommended treatment will include rest, a physical therapy exercise program, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen), corticosteroid injections, and icing the shoulder. While surgery is rarely necessary, neglecting appropriate treatment could lead to the tendonitis progressing into a rotator cuff tear.

Donnis K. Harrison, MD, FAAOS, FAOSSM
Bienville Orthopaedic Specialists

https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/diseases--conditions/shoulder-impingementrotator-cuff-tendinitis/

04/09/2026

Orthopaedic Surgery specializes in healing the physical body, with a particular focus on the joints, bones, and musculoskeletal tissues. Frequently, physical ailments take precedence, causing us to overlook the mental aspects of orthopaedic injuries. Today, I was reminded of this vital truth as I evaluated a young teenager several weeks ago, who had sustained a wrist injury several months prior. Like many athletes, they had been persevering through pain. After assessing their condition and interpreting the radiological images, it was determined that they had a scaphoid fracture. Such complex injuries are best managed by a Hand Fellowship-trained Orthopaedic Surgeon, so I referred them to one of my partners.

This young athlete was understandably fearful that their sports career might be over. The anxiety associated with uncertainty can be overwhelming. My hand partner, Dr. Henry Leis, conducted an evaluation and performed the surgery to repair the chronic fracture. Fortunately, the outlook is positive, with a strong likelihood of returning to competitive sports. During a follow-up visit to my clinic today, this individual presented me with a heartfelt card expressing their gratitude. Moments like these are deeply rewarding for an orthopaedic surgeon, as they highlight my role in helping to instill hope and optimism regarding a full recovery.

This is why Bienville Orthopaedic Specialists is the trusted choice for your orthopaedic care. Our team consists of twenty-one physicians and twenty-two physician extenders, the majority of whom are fellowship-trained and specialize in various areas of orthopaedics—including Shoulder and Elbow, Sports Medicine, Total Joints, Spine, and Hand—along with Anesthesia Pain Management, Podiatry, and Neurology-Clinical Neurophysiologist.

Donnis K. Harrison, MD, FAAOS, FAOSSM
Bienville Orthopaedic Specialists

04/08/2026

Orthopaedic Surgery specializes in healing the physical body, with a particular focus on the joints, bones, and musculoskeletal tissues. Frequently, physical ailments take precedence, causing us to overlook the mental aspects of orthopaedic injuries. Today, I was reminded of this vital truth as I evaluated a young teenager several weeks ago, who had sustained a wrist injury several months prior. Like many athletes, they had been persevering through pain. After assessing their condition and interpreting the radiological images, it was determined that they had a scaphoid fracture. Such complex injuries are best managed by a Hand Fellowship-trained Orthopaedic Surgeon, so I referred them to one of my partners.

This young athlete was understandably fearful that their sports career might be over. The anxiety associated with uncertainty can be overwhelming. My hand partner, Dr. Henry Leis, conducted an evaluation and performed the surgery to repair the chronic fracture. Fortunately, the outlook is positive, with a strong likelihood of returning to competitive sports. During a follow-up visit to my clinic today, this individual presented me with a heartfelt card expressing their gratitude. Moments like these are deeply rewarding for an orthopaedic surgeon, as they highlight my role in helping to instill hope and optimism regarding a full recovery.

This is why Bienville Orthopaedic Specialists is the trusted choice for your orthopaedic care. Our team consists of twenty-one physicians and twenty-two physician extenders, the majority of whom are fellowship-trained and specialize in various areas of orthopaedics—including Shoulder and Elbow, Sports Medicine, Total Joints, Spine, and Hand—along with Anesthesia Pain Management, Podiatry, and Neurology-Clinical Neurophysiologist.
Donnis K. Harrison, MD, FAAOS, FAOSSM
Bienville Orthopaedic Specialists

We are proud to share that Bienville Surgery Center has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a 2026 Best Ambulatory Surgery Center, earning a “High Performing” rating in Orthopedics & Spine.

“We’re incredibly proud of this recognition, but even more proud of the team behind it,” said Dr. Wittersheim, Medical Director of the Bienville Surgery Center. “Every day, our focus is on delivering safe, efficient, and high-quality care in a setting that puts patients first. It’s rewarding to see that commitment reflected on a national level.”

Learn more about this achievement here: https://health.usnews.com/best-ascs/area/ms/bienville-surgery-center-A6760981

03/31/2026

03/30/2026

On this second day of Holy Week, known as Holy Monday, I reflect on the events described in Matthew 21:12-22, where Jesus cleanses the temple and the children proclaim, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” As I contemplate the significance of that Monday 2,000 years ago, I consider the profound events that will unfold in just three days—the atoning work of Jesus Christ through His suffering, death, and ultimate victory, aimed at reconciling humanity with the Triune God. The atonement of Christ must be understood in light of the Passover in Exodus; reconciliation involves more than merely the sacrifice of the Lamb; individuals must actively apply the blood to their doorposts.

So, how does Holy Week relate to my practice of Orthopaedic Surgery? The answer is simple: it relates to everything. Each day in the clinic, operating room, and hospital, I assess individuals with broken bodies—fractured bones, torn tendons, arthritic joints, and various musculoskeletal pathologies. The role of an Orthopaedic Surgeon is to repair or restore function to my patients. Grounded in my Biblical worldview, I believe that every person is created imago Dei, in the very image of God; thus, everyone possesses infinite dignity and worth as an image bearer of God. My patients are not merely cases or procedures. I am profoundly grateful that God has granted me the ability to work through Him, allowing me to participate in His plan to restore my patients' health—yet I recognize that true, eternal restoration can only be found through Christ’s Atonement.

Donnis K. Harrison, MD, FAAOS, FAOSSM
Bienville Orthopaedic Specialists

03/18/2026

Total shoulder arthroplasty (replacement) has seen an increasing prevalence with technological advancements over the past thirty years. One of the most common questions I encounter in my practice is how new is the shoulder replacement procedure? The consensus from medical and laypeople is that shoulder replacement is a new procedure without long-term data to support its utilization. The shoulder replacement has spanned over 130 years, with the first shoulder replacement performed by French Surgeon Jules Emile Péan in 1893. The patient was a 37-year-old gentleman with advanced tuberculosis. The prosthesis significantly improved his quality of life for 2 years prior to infection, necessitating its removal. The prosthesis is on display at the Smithsonian Institution. Dr. Charles Neer, an American Orthopaedic Surgeon in the 1950’s, developed the Neer I prosthesis, a partial replacement that became standard until his Neer II design in the 1970’s, which addressed the glenoid and became a Total Shoulder. In 1987, my mentor, Dr. Wayne ‘Buz’ Burkhead, developed the Select Modular Shoulder prosthesis, becoming the first modular total shoulder system. Around the same time, in the late 1980’s, Dr. Paul Grammont began developing the reverse Total Shoulder for the treatment of rotator cuff-deficient shoulder arthritis. Since completing my Shoulder and Elbow Fellowship in 2006 with Dr. Burkhead, I have witnessed the technological explosion in total shoulder prosthesis. This has resulted in increased indications and patient outcomes. Harkin et al.'s 2025 study found that surgeons who perform more than 20 total shoulder replacements per year have significantly lower complication rates. Being a Subspecialist in Shoulder and Elbow, I specialize in managing complex shoulder and elbow disorders.



Donnis K. Harrison, MD, FAAOS, FAOSSM
Bienville Orthopaedic Specialists

Bibliography

Harkin W, Berreta RS, Williams T, Turkmani A, Scanaliato JP, McCormick JR, Klifto CS, Nicholson GP, Garrigues GE. The effect of surgeon volume on complications after total shoulder arthroplasty: a nationwide assessment. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2025 Apr;34(4):1112-1119. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2024.07.025. Epub 2024 Sep 6. PMID: 39244148.

Zilber S. Shoulder Arthroplasty: Historical Considerations. Open Orthop J. 2017 Sep 30;11:1100-1107. doi: 10.2174/1874325001711011100. PMID: 29152004; PMCID: PMC5676005. (n.d.).

03/16/2026

Orthopaedic surgery is a complex and specialized field of medicine, and I am the only Fellowship-trained Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon on the MS Gulf Coast. I get the pleasure of treating all sorts of shoulder pathology. One such pathology is shoulder arthritis; two examples are seen in the attached pictures. The two radiographs represent two different shoulders with two very different types of arthritis, which must be treated differently. One represents standard osteoarthritis of the shoulder after failing conservative treatment and is indicated for an Anatomic Total Shoulder. The other is a rotator cuff tear arthritis, which, after failing conservative treatment, will require a Reverse Total Shoulder. Not all arthritis should be treated the same; being a subspecialist, my practice primarily focuses on the shoulder.

03/14/2026

The continuing education required for a subspecialist can be daunting. Still, a society like the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons helps ensure the most current advances in this field of medicine are coherently understood. Fortunate that I'm able to attend such a meeting to continue providing quality care for my patients along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Proud member of Bienville Orthopaedics

07/13/2018

http://aossm.informz.net/aossm/pages/shoulder_separations?_zs=n9WmU1&_zmi=K9pf

Injuries referred to as “shoulder separations” are a common injury in athletics.1 These injuries are not of the ball and cup itself