When Shoulder Pain Won’t Go Away: Is Shoulder Arthritis to Blame?
If you suffer from ongoing shoulder pain, making even the simplest tasks difficult, it may be due to arthritis. Learn more about this painful condition and what can be done to help.
Rotator Cuff Tears Explained: When Physical Therapy Isn’t Enough
As many as 2 million people in the United States alone go to the doctor each year for rotator cuff pain. While physical therapy is often the first line of defense for this type of injury, sometimes it’s just not enough.
Esteemed board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist Robert A. Mileski, MD, treats rotator cuff tears and beyond at Phoenix Orthopedic Group in Scottsdale, Arizona.
How your rotator cuffs work
Your rotator cuff connects your humerus, the upper arm bone, to your shoulder blade, aka scapula. This crucial component comes into play whenever you rotate or raise your arm above your head.
Comprised of four different muscles, your rotator cuff includes:
- Supraspinatus: Stretching from your scapula to the humerus, it allows you to rotate and lift your arm
- Subscapularis: This helps you stretch your arm away from your body
- Infraspinatus: Used in rotation, it bridges the bottom of your scapula to your humerus
- Teres minor: Stretching from your humerus to your scapula’s outer edge, it enables you to rotate your arm
Dr. Mileski uncovers which muscles and/or tendons are contributing to your rotator cuff injury to help relieve your pain and restore function.
What causes rotator cuff tears?
Your rotator cuff is composed of muscles and tendons that allow your shoulder joint to move smoothly. Injuries here occur fairly frequently, whether from sports or other repetitive shoulder movements.
Although injuries may occur at any point in your life, your risk tends to increase with age, as your tendons lose:
- Strength
- Elasticity
- Blood supply
Dr. Mileski offers a variety of treatments, from physical therapy to surgery, to help you heal.
Physical therapy to the rescue
Our team utilizes physical therapy for rotator cuff injuries and other problems. After diagnosing your injury through an X-ray or MRI, our therapist helps you:
- Perform specific exercises to regain strength and range of motion
- Discover ways to sleep more comfortably
- Work out wiser
- Use ice and heat to ease your pain
If physical therapy fails to produce the desired results over time, Dr. Mileski may try other methods, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, before resorting to surgery.
How various surgeries work
When other nonsurgical options don’t relieve your problem, Dr. Mileski may recommend one of the following surgeries:
Arthroscopic tendon repair
The gold standard for tendon repair, arthroscopic surgery offers the least invasive type of rotator cup surgery. Dr. Mileski makes smaller incisions than regular surgery to insert a tiny camera, known as an arthroscope, into your shoulder joint. He then uses a live video feed and monitor to guide his tiny instruments.
Tendon transfer
If one or more of your damaged tendons can’t be reattached to the bone, Dr. Mileski may reroute your damaged tendon with one of your healthy ones.
Shoulder replacements
When the cartilage and bone in your shoulder joint become damaged, replacing the area with metal and plastic implants may provide the best solution.
Open tendon repair
Larger tears may require open tendon surgery, rather than arthroscopic.
Dr. Mileski works with you to decide which surgery is best, and how to incorporate physical therapy before and after. After surgery, you should regain function within four to six months, with full recovery in 12 to 18 months.
Help is on the way
If you experience ongoing shoulder pain that interferes with your day-to-day life, or swelling and tenderness in your shoulder joint that just won’t go away, you may suffer from a rotator cuff injury. Whatever the cause, it’s important to take care of your injury before it gets worse.
Dr. Mileski and our talented team offer a range of surgical and nonsurgical options for rotator cuff tears to help restore your quality of life. If you suspect a rotator cuff injury or other orthopedic problem, schedule a consultation online or by phone at Phoenix Orthopedic Group today.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Life After a Total Knee Replacement: A Recovery Timeline
Whether you’ve finally decided to replace your painful knee, or are still sitting on the fence, there are some things you should know for the speediest recovery, such as a basic timeline.
Considering a Partial Knee Replacement? Here's What You Need to Know
Whether you’re thinking about partial or full replacement knee surgery, it’s important to understand what’s involved. Learn the difference between the two, and how to decide which may be right for you.
5 Common Causes of Shoulder Pain and How to Treat Them
If shoulder pain has got you down, learn how to lift up your spirit and relieve your pain. Uncover five conditions responsible for shoulder pain and how to ease them.
Understanding Your Options for Rotator Cuff Repair
When you injure your shoulder’s rotator cuff, it can affect everything from lifting your arms to comfortably falling asleep. Discover surgical and nonsurgical means for repairing this crucial area.
5 Signs That Your Osteoarthritis Is Progressing
It’s important to understand what stage your osteoarthritis (OA) is at, from mild to severe, to get the proper treatment. Learn five of the signs that may signify your OA is getting worse and how to proceed.