Shoulder
Shoulder pain is a common ailment of many people, although the incidence of pain tends to increase with age. This pain can be caused by a number of different shoulder conditions, and can be acute or chronic, and caused by injury or overuse. Damage or injury may occur within the muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones. Patients may experience stiffness, pain, loss of strength, limited range of motion and other debilitating symptoms.
Some of the most common shoulder conditions & procedures include:
- Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder)
- Reverse Shoulder Replacement
- Rotator Cuff Repair
- Shoulder Instability (Dislocations)
- Shoulder Impingement
- Shoulder Osteoarthritis
- Shoulder Replacement
- Shoulder Separations (AC Separations)
In order to determine the cause of your pain, your doctor will ask for details about your symptoms and medical history, and also perform a physical examination to evaluate the shoulder. An X-ray or CT scan may also be performed in order to examine the bones and soft tissues of the shoulder.
Knee
As an active, weight-bearing joint, the knee is a source of pain and problems for many people. This pain can be acute or chronic, and may be a result of injury, overuse or growth. It can stem from the tendons, ligaments, bones, cartilage or any other structure within the knee.
Some of the most common knee conditions & procedures include:
Sports Medicine
Sports medicine is a subspecialty of orthopedics that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries suffered during athletic activity. The goal of treatment is to heal and rehabilitate the injury so patients can return to their favorite activities quickly, whether it's Little League, recreational play or a high school, college or professional sport.
As with a sports team, there are many physicians who work together to help the patient regain maximum use of the injured limb or joint. "Players" on the team are typically the physician, orthopedic surgeon, rehabilitation specialist, athletic trainer and physical therapist - and the patient him/herself.
Common injuries treated include:
- ACL Tears
- Compartment Syndrome
- Fractures
- Heat Exhaustion
- Muscle Contusions (Bruise)
- Muscle Cramps
- Shin Splints
- Sprains & Strains
- Stress Fractures
- Torn Tendons & Ligaments
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows doctors to diagnose and sometimes treat joint injuries and diseases through small incisions in the skin. It is often performed to confirm a diagnosis made after a physical examination and other imaging tests such as MRI, CT scan or X-rays. During an arthroscopic procedure, a thin fiberoptic light, magnifying lens and tiny television camera are inserted into the problem area, allowing the doctor to examine the joint in great detail.
With some patients, it is then possible to treat the problem using this approach or with a combination of arthroscopic and "open" surgery. Sports injuries are often repairable with arthroscopy. Tendon tears in the knee are frequently repaired in this way. Other potentially treatable injuries include torn cartilage or ligaments, inflamed joint lining, carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff tears, and loose bone or cartilage.
Because it is minimally invasive, arthroscopy offers many benefits to the patient over traditional surgery:
- No cutting of muscles or tendons
- Less bleeding during surgery
- Less scarring
- Smaller incisions
- Faster recovery and return to regular activities
- Faster and more comfortable rehabilitation
Arthroscopy is not appropriate for every patient. Your doctor will discuss the diagnostic and treatment options that are best for you.