If you have recently experienced a shoulder injury, you will know that they can be extremely painful and prevent you from performing your regular activities. But what are shoulder injuries exactly? And how can they be treated?
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the more common reasons you would need to see a shoulder surgeon in Miami, as well as the treatment options for shoulder injuries.
What are Common Shoulder Injuries in Miami?
Rotator Cuff Tears
Rotator cuff tears are one of the most commonly seen injuries by sports medicine doctors in Miami. Rotator cuffs can tear either partially or entirely. They are widely seen in people who perform overhead motions, such as construction workers or football players.
Symptoms can be pain that radiates down the arm into the elbow, limited motion, or weakness. Trauma or repeated stress on the shoulder is usually the cause of the tear.
How are Rotator Cuff Tears Treated?
Rotator cuff injuries can sometimes be treated nonsurgically with physical therapy exercises. Corticosteroid injections have also been shown to be effective for some patients. A newer therapy called plasma-rich plasma injections has shown promise in healing rotator cuff injuries, but it is still in its infancy.
For more serious tears, surgery is performed arthroscopically. Thi means that the surgeon performs minimally invasive surgery using a small camera to examine and repair the tendons with minimal scarring.
Frozen Shoulder
A frozen shoulder impacts the movement in the joint. Adhesions build up in the joint either due to limited movement because of pain or after surgery. It may start as mild and worsen if left untreated. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, and inflammation.
How is it Treated?
Sometimes frozen shoulders heal on their own. However, when they do not, there are several treatment options to consider. First, doctors may opt for non-surgical methods. Gentle stretching and exercise can sometimes be helpful to loosen the adhesions in the shoulder. Physical therapists can teach patients the best practices to help with the condition.
For more severe cases, surgery can be recommended.
Shoulder Impingement
With a shoulder impingement, the tendons may get trapped or pinched under the shoulder bones during arm movement. Symptoms experienced can include pain, swelling, or inflammation of the rotator cuff.
Athletes often experience shoulder impingement, including tennis players, swimmers, and golfers. Sometimes it is referred to as “swimmers shoulders.”
How is it treated?
Shoulder impingement can be treated nonsurgically with corticosteroid injections or with proper physical therapy exercises. When these methods have failed, then surgery may be considered.
The surgery involves the shaving of the acromion process to relieve pressure off the pinched tendons. It is also an arthroscopic procedure, so minimally invasive allows for quick healing.
Learn More About Our South Florida Orthopedics
If you have a recent or ongoing shoulder injury, our physicians can provide consultation or diagnosis of your condition.
We are highly-rated orthopedic surgeons who specialize in minimally invasive surgery and the latest innovative non-surgical treatments. Our goal is to provide you with high-level care that is individually fitted to your needs and lifestyle. We offer a variety of surgical, non-surgical and regenerative treatment options, including PRP injection for our patients.
To learn more about our services, including arthroscopic shoulder procedures, please visit our website.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
