Shoulder injuries can affect anyone regardless of age or occupation. Whether it is a minor sprain or a severe shoulder fracture, the pain can interfere with your ability to complete your daily tasks. Fortunately, your reliable orthopedic shoulder & elbow surgeon La Jolla has years of experience in this field and can offer personalized treatment to restore optimal functioning in your shoulder.
Immobilization and compression
Your provider can immobilize your shoulder using a sling, cast, or brace, depending on the severity of your injury. They may use a sling for mild to moderate shoulder strains and sprains and a cast or brace for severe shoulder fractures. Compression involves applying controlled pressure to your shoulder using a wrap or bandage. This technique supports the injured shoulder, preventing further damage. However, it would help to be careful when tying the bandage to prevent restricting blood flow to your shoulder.
Reparative orthopedics
During the treatment, your physician will assess your injury before developing a treatment plan. Your treatment plan will depend on the severity of your injury. It may include non-surgical therapies like injections, medication, physical therapy, and surgical treatments like joint replacement. Reparative orthopedics aims to restore optimal shoulder functioning and alleviate pain to enable you to perform your daily tasks without difficulty. This treatment is particularly effective for shoulder injuries such as shoulder impingement syndrome, labral tears, and rotator cuff tears.
Bone-preserving shoulder arthroplasty
Bone-preserving shoulder arthroplasty can address shoulder injuries such as rotator cuff tears and those associated with arthritis. Unlike traditional shoulder replacement surgery, this treatment focuses on preserving as much natural bone as possible. During the procedure, your specialist will remove the damaged bone and cartilage from your shoulder and reshape the remaining bone in preparation for an implant. This technique restores stability in your joint and minimizes the risk of dislocation. Additionally, the implant resembles your shoulder’s anatomy, facilitating a more natural range of motion. Also, recovery is shorter than traditional shoulder replacement surgery, meaning you can resume your daily activities sooner than expected.
Total shoulder replacement
Total shoulder replacement involves using artificial components to replace damaged parts of your shoulder. Before the procedure, your doctor will administer general anesthesia to ensure comfort. During the surgery, the team will remove the deceased parts of your shoulder and replace them with artificial components. They attach the prosthetic ball to the top of your upper arm and the prosthetic socket to your shoulder blade. This treatment can alleviate pain, restore optimal range of motion and improve shoulder function. The recovery period will depend on the extent of the surgery and your general health. During recovery, your provider may recommend physical therapy and rehabilitation to restore flexibility and strength in your joint.
Anti-inflammatory injections
Shoulder injuries can cause debilitating pain and inflammation. Anti-inflammatory medications can minimize your discomfort. Your doctor injects corticosteroids into your shoulder joint to block your body’s inflammatory response and relieve your symptoms. These injections can treat frozen shoulders, rotator cuff tendinitis, and shoulder impingement. However, anti-inflammatory injections are not a long-term cure for shoulder injuries as they don’t address the underlying cause of the pain. Your doctor may offer these injections with other treatments like physical therapy and lifestyle adjustments.
Call the Upper Extremity Specialists of Ortho 1 Medical Group to explore the available treatments for shoulder injuries, or book your spot online.
