Treat Shoulder Injuries With Repair Surgery
Your shoulder is surrounded by a group of muscles and tendons that are collectively referred to as the rotator cuff, which secures the joint by holding the ball in the socket and keeping your arm connected to your body. Additionally, the rotator cuff helps you use your arm and shoulder efficiently and without pain and allows the arm to move in a natural range of motion. As you can imagine, a healthy rotator cuff is essential for a variety of physical activities.
There is a wide range of injuries that these muscles and tendons can suffer, all of which lead to an injured rotator cuff, pain throughout your full range of motion, a reduction of motion, and chronic discomfort. These issues can also lead to your shoulder repeatedly dislocating as the soft tissues and tendons can no longer hold the ball of the joint in the socket. If you are suffering from pain stemming from a rotator cuff injury or need to identify the source of your shoulder pain, working with a medical professional is essential.
Common Causes of Rotator Cuff Injuries
There are many different ways that the rotator cuff may be injured, such as overuse, trauma, age, and genetic factors that may predispose someone to injuries to the rotator cuff. We have all suffered a sore shoulder from overuse or exertion, but this is much different than an injury to the soft tissues that make up the rotator cuff.
Signs You May Have a Rotator Cuff Injury
If you have been dealing with a persistent and dull ache in your shoulder, find that you have difficulty lifting your arm above your head or reaching to your back, your arm is weaker than normal, or you have a difficult time sleeping on your side, these may all indicate that you have a rotator cuff injury. Working with a healthcare provider is the best way to identify whether or not this is the issue and begin planning a treatment and recovery plan immediately. In some cases, surgery may be the solution.
Rotator Cuff Treatment Options
A minor injury to your rotator cuff is often treated with a combination of medication and physical therapy in order to avoid invasive surgery and other, more complex procedures. However, a rotator cuff tear may not recover from these conservative methods, requiring surgery to the tear in order to replace the joint, repair the damage, or by transferring a working tendon from somewhere else in the body.
Many rotator cuff surgeries are done with arthroscopic methods, meaning that the incision is only large enough to accommodate a small tube that houses a camera and small tools. Arthroscopic surgery can help reduce scar tissue, recovery time, and more.
Working with a skilled surgeon is one of the most important ways to make sure that you are taking the necessary steps for a pain-free life with a minimal recovery time. To find a surgeon in your area, contact us today. 1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service that can connect you with an experienced and certified professional in your area.