Even though you may not be fully aware, the shoulders are among the most useful parts of the body. An injury to the shoulder may affect you to the extent that you cannot reach out for something with your arm. People in specific sports may have their careers depending on the health of their shoulders. Upper Extremity Specialists treat shoulder injuries in La Jolla, plus other various sports injuries. Book an appointment online for customized treatment plans to regain full functionality.
What are the most common injuries?
Some shoulder injuries could be so mild that the patient is not aware of them or they can be so severe that they cause pain and discomfort. They include:
- Rotator cuff tears: This type of injury mostly occurs among older adults and athletes. Injury is caused by repetitive overhead movements that tear connective tissue in the shoulder joint.
- Shoulder arthritis: Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects joints in the body after continued wear and tear. It is also common in shoulders and could affect two joints, namely acromioclavicular and glenohumeral joints. Both injuries cause patients pain and discomfort.
- Frozen shoulder: This injury occurs due to the thickening and tightening of connective tissues around the shoulder. It limits movement and causes pain for the patient.
- Dislocation: A shoulder dislocation occurs when the humerus head is partially or entirely dislocated from the socket.
- Slap tears: Slap tears are common in athletes who are involved in throwing. It affects the cartilage around the shoulder joint.
Treatment of shoulder injuries
Shoulder injuries are treated using both surgical and non-surgical treatment options. They include:
i. Medications
Medications can be in the form of topical ointments or can be taken orally. They include over the counter drugs, non-narcotic pain killers, oral steroids, and other prescribed anti-inflammatory medications.
ii. Cortisone injections
This involves injecting the medication directly into the inflamed tendon or any other affected area around the shoulder joint. The purpose is usually to alleviate pain and inflammation. The doctor sometimes requires the use of an ultrasound to get a clear image for precision.
iii. Stem cell therapy and Platelet-Rich plasma
These treatments involve harvesting cells from the patient’s body that can regenerate. The doctor then concentrates them before injecting them into the affected region. Both options are safe as the cells are from the patient’s body, thereby reducing the chances of rejection.
iv. Physical therapy
Physical therapy is essential in recovery to strengthen affected muscles, restore functionality, and reduce pain. Exercising will also reduce the likelihood of a future reoccurrence of an injury in the same joint.
v. Surgical options
The doctor may opt to use surgical options if you still do not get results after using non-surgical treatment options. They include slap tear surgery, rotator cuff repair, total shoulder replacement, and shoulder impingement surgery.
You should seek medical treatment in case of shoulder pain, swollen shoulder, reduced range of movement, or shoulder grinding. You can manage the less severe cases by using either ice or heat. However, the more severe ones require immediate medical attention. Book an appointment today with Upper Extremity Specialists for treatment.
