The orthopedic shoulder specialist at Brooklyn Premier Orthopedics offer the best and latest options for shoulder injury management. After a shoulder disorder has been evaluated and accurately diagnosed, our doctors work to develop an individualized treatment and rehabilitation plan to reduce pain and restore functionality.
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the human body. Limited functionality or pain can be the result of arthritis, bursitis, instability, inflammation or a fracture.
The majority of shoulder conditions will benefit from conservative treatments. Shoulder conditions and injuries are commonly caused by overuse. Rest, splints, heat, ice, activity changes and physical therapy are the most common forms of treatment for shoulder disorders. Non-surgical treatment options might also include anti-inflammatory medicine or injections.
Depending on the extent of your shoulder disorder, arthroscopic surgery may be offered as a minimally invasive treatment surgical option. More severe shoulder disorders or injuries may require a more advanced type of shoulder surgery. Examples of complex shoulder surgeries include labrum repairs, rotator cuff repairs, partial (ball of your shoulder) and total shoulder replacement (ball and the socket). Recovery after complex shoulder surgery takes a few months.
Most patients experiencing a shoulder disorder will start treatment utilizing some combination of conservative methods to reduce pain, increase stability and regain range of motion.
If surgery is needed, most types of shoulder surgery can be done using minimally invasive techniques. Arthroscopic surgery is the common technique used to diagnose and repair shoulder disorders.
Acromioclavicular Joint Repair – surgery to repair a severely separated AC joint. A damaged AC joint is usually the result of an injury. Most patients with an AC joint separation will respond to rest, ice and use of a sling. Cortisone injections might also be used as a conservative treatment method. A severe AC joint separation may require surgery to return the clavicle back into the correct position.
Bankart Repair – Also known as a bankart procedure. An arthroscopic surgical procedure that involves repairing any cartilage, muscle or tendon tears. Damaged shoulder tissue might need to be removed. Rest, splints and physical therapy are examples of post surgery treatments to help a patient improve range of motion and strengthen the shoulder area.
Biceps Tenodesis – An arthoscopic surgical repair of a bicep tendon that has been damaged, partially torn or fully torn. This surgery is doesn’t normally require a hospital stay. Bicep tenodesis is not a commonly needed surgical procedure. Most patients who have experienced a bicep tendon tear and haven’t damaged the rotator cuff will be able to resolve the disorder without surgery.
Bursitis Treatment – The majority of patients with shoulder bursitis will benefit from conservative treatment methods. Rest, antiobiotics, anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy and cortisone injections are all potential treatment options for bursitis. The need for surgery to treat shoulder bursitis is rare. An inflamed bursa might need to be drained surgically, but the need to actually remove an affect bursa is uncommon.
Fracture Repair – A shoulder fracture can occur in at least one of the three shoulder bones (clavicle, proximal humerus, scapula). Fractures are the result of trauma. Conservative, non-surgical methods can be used if the fracture shoulder bone is still in the correct position. Most fractures can be treated without surgery. If a shoulder bone is displaced or has broken through the skin it can require surgery to be realigned so it can heal correctly.
Frozen Shoulder Treatment – Most patient diagnosed with frozen shoulder will benefit from either over the counter or prescribed medication to reduce inflammation and pain. Physical therapy is also used as a treatment method for frozen shoulder to help regain normal range of motion. Cortisone injections, shoulder manipulation and joint distension may also be used if a patients symptoms continue to exist. Arthroscopic surgery is a possible treatment option, but most patients don’t require surgery to treat this disorder.
Osteoarthritis Treatment – Common non-operative treatments for osteoarthritis of the shoulder include over the counter anti-inflammatory medications, rest, physical therapy, exercises (range of motion), Ice or Heat and injections. If the aforementioned conservative treatments, methods are not effective surgery(arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty) is available as a last resort to address this degenerative joint disease.
Rotator Cuff Surgery – the rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that come together. A rotator cuff tear might be the result of an injury or a progressive breakdown. Most tears are small and do not require surgery. Large or complete tears probably require surgery to fix the tear. Rotator cuff surgery is usually done as an arthroscopic procedure.
Shoulder Debridement – an arthroscopic surgical procedure used to remove debris and damaged tissue in the shoulder joint. An injury, overuse or arthritis of the shoulder are all possible causes of damaged shoulder tissue. Patients who have a rotator cuff tear that cannot be fully repaired are potential candidate for this procedure.
Shoulder Replacement – Shoulder Replacement Surgery may be recommended to treat patients who have extensive articular cartilage damage as a result of arthritis or a degenerative disease.
Subacromial Decompression – arthroscopic surgery for shoulder impingement for patients whose symptoms do improve after physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medication. If a rotator cuff is present, that may be addressed during surgery as well. This surgical procedure reduces impingement by increasing the space available for the shoulder bones.
Superior Labrum From Anterior to Posterior Tear (SLAP Repair) – Arthroscopic surgical procedure to repair an injury of the superior labrum of the shoulder. This type of tear is common to athletes. It can result from repetitive overhead actions such as throwing or from a fall. This type of labral tear might be able to treated using anti-inflammatory medicine and physical therapy. Surgery might be needed to help the injury heal correctly.
If you are currently experiencing shoulder pain, there is a risk of further injury or damage if the underlying condition remains untreated. if you are experiencing shoulder pain and believe you need to have your shoulder examined by a orthopedic physician, call us to schedule an appointment. Depending on your symptoms, test may include an X-ray, CAT scan or an MRI. After examining your shoulder, our expert will determine the cause of your pain, and discuss any treatment options with you moving forward.