Suffering from Shoulder Pain?
Those suffering from shoulder pain and discomfort know how debilitating it can be and the movement limitations it causes during your daily activities. Your shoulders are the most mobile joints in your body, but, unfortunately - they are also more prone to suffer a range of injuries and other problems.
Shoulder Anatomy
The shoulder consists of three bones, namely the scapula (shoulder blade), humerus (upper arm bone), and clavicle (collarbone). Two joints allow the shoulder to move; the acromioclavicular joint is where the acromion (part of the shoulder blade) and the collar bone meets. The glenohumeral joint is the connection between the humeral head (ball), and the glenoid (socket) meet.
Types of Shoulder Injuries
At Spencer Orthopedics, we are experts in treating all shoulder-related injuries and conditions affecting the shoulder joints. Common shoulder injuries include:
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
- Dislocation and Separation
- Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder)
- Shoulder Impingement
- Sprains and Strains
- Rotator Cuff Tear
- Shoulder Instability
- Tendinitis and Tendon Ruptures
- Torn Cartilage
What Causes Shoulder Injuries?
Apart from accidents and physical traumatic incidents, athletes regularly performing overhead throwing and movement, tend to suffer from shoulder injuries. Think along the lines of football, baseball, volleyball, and tennis players.
Process for Diagnosing and Treating Shoulder Injuries
The team at Spencer Orthopedic will start the process of diagnosis by examining your current symptoms alongside your medical history to pinpoint the source of pain and discomfort. After the assessment, the decision will be made whether to take the conservative, non-surgical approach or consider a minimally invasive shoulder arthroscopy and in severe cases, shoulder replacement surgery.
Non-surgical approaches include:
- Physical Therapy
- Therapeutic Exercise
- Ice and Heat Therapy
- Rest
- Pain Medication
- Kinesiotaping
- Steroid Injections
- PRP Injections (platelet-rich plasma injections)
Dr. Spencer will be able to determine whether you're a candidate for a shoulder arthroscopy after less invasive treatment methods failed to relieve your symptoms or limitations. A shoulder arthroscopy allows the surgeon to repair injuries such as impingements, instability, and rotator cuff tears without causing major surgical trauma. Types of operations performed during a shoulder arthroscopy include:
- Bankart Repair - This procedure tightens and reattaches ruptured ligaments and labral tears.
- Labral Repair - Treats injuries to the labrum (tissue that circles the socket and keeps the shoulder joint in place)
- Biceps Tenodesis - An anchoring device is used to reattach the bicep muscle to the shoulder.
The level of severity of your shoulder injury, as well as the complexity of the injury, will determine whether you require a shoulder arthroplasty (shoulder replacement).
When Should I Call a Doctor?
It is recommended to see an orthopedic doctor if your shoulder pain persists and doesn't respond to conservative treatment within two to four weeks.
We want to help you get back to your life as quickly as possible. That's why we offer comprehensive treatment options for all types of shoulder injuries. We'll work with you to develop a treatment plan that meets your needs and gets you back to doing what you love as soon as possible.
Contact our office today at 760-797-7540 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jacob Spencer! We will do everything we can to get you back to a pain-free life.
