When you can’t swim the laps, serve the ball, or lift the little ones like you used to, it’s time for Desert Orthopedics.

Our orthopedic shoulder specialists will diagnose and treat your condition. Whether it’s a torn rotator cuff or an aging joint with arthritis, we’re experts at providing comprehensive non-surgical and surgical solutions for your problem. And, we have an entire team of providers dedicated to helping you recover completely. So, if your shoulder is keeping you down, give us a call today.

It’s A Big Deal

More than 4 million people in the U.S. seek medical care each year for shoulder problems. It’s one of the largest orthopedic problems where people seek treatment from specialists.

Our specialists are experts in treating shoulder conditions and see patients for rotator cuff injuries, tendonitis, dislocations, fractures, arthritis, bursitis, brachial plexus injuries, pediatric and congenital disorders, among other conditions.

Rotator Cuff

A common problem for people over 40 years of age is a rotator cuff tear. The rotator cuff is comprised of the muscles and tendons that surround the top of the upper arm bone (humerus) and hold it in the shoulder joint. A tear may result suddenly from a single traumatic event or develop gradually because of repetitive overhead activities and tends to occur in the dominant arm.

Signs and Symptoms

• Recurrent, constant pain, particularly with overhead activities.
• Pain at night that prevents you from sleeping on the affected side.
• Muscle weakness, especially when attempting to lift the arm.
• Catching and grating or cracking sounds when the arm is moved.
• Limited motion.

Risk Factors for Rotator Cuff Injuries

• Repetitive overhead motion, such as pitching or painting a ceiling.
• Heavy lifting.
• Excessive force, such as a fall.
• Degeneration due to aging, including a reduction in the blood supply to the tendon.
• Narrowing of the space (acromioclavicular arch) between the collarbone (clavicle) and the top portion (acromion) of the shoulder bone (scapula).
• Abrasion (rubbing) of the cuff surface by the top portion of the shoulder bone.

Diagnosing A Rotator Cuff Injury

When your consult your physician, he or she will ask you about your symptoms and any recent trauma or injuries. Your doctor will carefully examine the top and back of your shoulder to see if the muscles have begun to shrink (atrophy). You may be asked to move your arm in several directions, or to hold it in various positions. X-rays can help the doctor see any problems with the bones, although other imaging tests may be required to confirm a rotator cuff tear. One such test is an arthrogram, in which a dye is injected into the joint before the X-ray is taken. Other imaging tests include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound.

Rotator cuff tears may be partial- or full-thickness. Partial-thickness tears do not completely sever the tendon and may respond well to nonoperative treatments. Full-thickness tears require surgery to correct. Surgery may also be used to treat partial-thickness tears that do not respond to nonoperative treatment.

Non-Surgical Treatments

In most cases, the initial treatment is non-surgical and could involve the following options:

• If the tear is due in part to overuse, resting the shoulder may help.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications will help control pain.
• Strengthening and stretching exercises, as part of a physical therapy program, are recommended.
• Corticosteroid injections can help reduce pain but cannot be repeated frequently because they can also weaken the tendon.
• Ultrasound can enhance the delivery of topically applied drugs and has thermal effects that may also help in the healing process.

Surgical Treatments

There are several surgical options to treat rotator cuff tears, depending on the size, depth, and location of the tear. If other problems with the shoulder are discovered during the surgery, they will be corrected as well.

• Arthroscopy, in which miniature instruments are inserted into small incisions, can be used to remove bone spurs or inflammatory portions of muscle and to repair lesser tears.
• A mini-open repair that combines arthroscopy and a small incision can be used to treat full-thickness tears.
• In more severe cases, open surgery is required to repair the injured tendon. Sometimes a tissue transfer or a tendon graft is used.
• Sometimes, a total shoulder joint replacement is the best solution.

Rehabilitation

It takes some time to recover from shoulder surgery. Full functioning may not return for six months or more. Your orthopedic surgeon will recommend a program of exercises to strengthen and restore motion. Your commitment to following the program outlined will make a difference in the ultimate results. Although every case is unique, surgery can relieve pain for most people and rehabilitation can restore functional range of motion.