SHOULDER CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS
Let's talk Shoulder
Can’t shrug off shoulder pain? Hard to brush your shoulders off? Shoulder pain prohibits you from quite a few normal, everyday activities – not to mention limits the use of your hands and arms which, let’s face it, pretty much stops you in your tracks. The reasons for this pain and discomfort can come from several conditions, and it’s those conditions that will dictate the remedy. From sporting activity mishaps to car accidents to work incidents, there are multiple ways one can get into a shoulder situation, but the best way out of one is through Dr. Tessier.
The shoulder is a complex group of three major bones (the upper arm bone, the shoulder blade and the collarbone) in addition to ligaments, cartilage and tissue. Not only is it hard to throw a touchdown pass with a damaged shoulder, it’s hard to do much of anything.
ABOUT SHOULDER PAIN
Being the nexus of the collarbone, shoulder blade and upper arm bone, the shoulder plays a vital role. When this role in compromised by injury and pain, the shoulder loses range of motion, flexibility, or worse, any use at all. Determining the extent of the injury is crucial in plotting a course for healing and pain management. The following conditions are common shoulder issues:
SHOULDER CONDITIONS
- Bursitis. Inflammation in the small sacs of fluid (bursae) that cushion the shoulder joint.
- Tendinitis. Inflammation of the tendons that connect the muscle to the bones in the shoulder.
- Tendon Tears. Tearing of the tendons that connect the muscle to the bones in the shoulder.
- Osteoarthritis. Also know as degenerative arthritis, this common type of arthritis is due to deterioration and wear-and-tear of the joint.
- Fracture. Breaking of the bones of the shoulder.
- Dislocation. Condition when the upper arm bone moves out of the shoulder blade socket.
SHOULDER TREATMENT OPTIONS
The old standbys like ice bags and rest are good for starters, but they are really better suited for very minor discomfort or for after proper medical treatment is administered. Dr. Tessier will ultimately guide you towards the best treatment for your particular condition, but the following therapies are common for reducing and managing shoulder pain:
- Pain medication. Also called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs). Basically, Advil, Tylenol or whichever your go-to over-the-counter pain medication is. This will help reduce temporary pain and swelling.
- Physical therapy. This can be performed at home or in the clinic. Range of motion exercises, stretching and light weight lifting may be recommended to help loosen muscles and tendons, and to increase flexibility.
- Steroid injections. This is a clinic-only treatment since it requires Dr. Tessier to administer the injections. This treatment is a more advanced way to ease some of the swelling and pain around the joint than NSAIDs.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP Therapy). An advanced procedure where the blood is drawn from the patient to acquire healthy platelets from one area that are then injected into the injured area to achieve lasting pain relief due to certain important healing growth factors the platelets contain.
- Surgery. Often as a last resort, surgeries will be performed. Such treatments may be: Biceps Tenodesis, Rotator Cuff, Scapulothoracic Fusion, or Shoulder Replacement.