How a Boutonnière Deformity Is Treated
Have you recently suffered a finger injury? If your middle joint juts upward and the tip of your finger juts upward as well, it could be a boutonnière deformity. Read on to learn how it can be treated.
The Most Common Shoulder Injuries and Their Treatment Options
Your shoulders are extremely mobile joints. These structures are made up of bones, muscles, and tendons, and they all work together to give your arms motion. Because of this complexity, shoulders are uniquely susceptible to damage and injury. This also means any number of factors can cause shoulder pain.
At Upper Extremity Specialists, of Synergy Orthopedic Specialists Medical Group, Kristopher Downing, MD, and Daniel Brereton, DO, are highly trained in diagnosing and treating shoulder injuries. In this blog, they discuss some of the common shoulder injuries and their treatment options.
Types of shoulder injuries
Shoulders can get injured suddenly, such as from a tackle in football or a hit in a car accident. But shoulder injuries can also happen over time. Overuse and repetitive motions can lead to wear and tear, arthritis, and inflammation. A few of the most common shoulder injuries include the following:
Rotator cuff tears
Your rotator cuff consists of the muscles and tendons that hold the bones of your shoulder together. A rotator cuff tear is a common type of shoulder injury that involves a partial or complete tear in this group of muscles and tendons. Rotator cuff tears are painful, often causing weakness and a loss of mobility.
Bursitis and tendonitis
Both bursitis and tendonitis can cause pain and inflammation in the shoulder joint. If you have bursitis, the bursae, or sacs of fluid that cushion the joint, get inflamed. If you have tendonitis, a tendon — which attaches a muscle to a bone — gets irritated or inflamed.
Fracture
Your shoulder has three bones: the shoulder blade, the collarbone, and the upper arm bone. If one or more of these bones cracks or breaks in an injury, you have a fracture. Pain, swelling, and bruising are all common symptoms of a shoulder fracture.
Impingement
Impingement syndrome is a shoulder injury that develops when a tendon in your shoulder rubs on your shoulder blade bone. It’s nicknamed swimmer’s shoulder, but it can happen to anyone who engages in repetitive arm movements above their heads. Shoulder impingement often causes swelling, irritation, and pain in the shoulder.
Instability
Shoulder instability is a chronic condition that occurs when the head of your upper arm bone isn’t secure in your shoulder joint socket. Shoulder dislocation happens when your arm bone is forced from the shoulder socket, which typically results from overuse or a sudden injury.
Once your shoulder has been dislocated, it’s more likely to be dislocated again. Instability is diagnosed when your shoulder feels loose and repeatedly slips out of place. Common symptoms of instability include pain and loss of strength.
Treatment for common shoulder injuries
Shoulder injuries can limit your life, but Dr. Downing and Dr. Brereton offer comprehensive treatment that can encourage healing and help you get you back to your favorite activities. Whether you’ve suffered an acute injury or you’re dealing with a chronic issue, we can help.
Mild to moderate injuries may respond to conservative treatment options, including:
- Rest and immobilization
- Compression
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Physical therapy
More severe injuries, such as rotator cuff tears or shoulder instability, may require surgery. Our team specializes in the latest shoulder surgical techniques, including arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, shoulder arthroplasty, and shoulder replacement.
If you have shoulder pain, find out what’s causing it and learn what your treatment options are by booking an appointment online or over the phone with Upper Extremity Specialists today.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Take These Steps to Prevent Sports Injuries
Playing sports offers a host of benefits for athletes of all ages, but sports can be dangerous — and injuries are common. Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to protect your health. Follow these steps to stay safe and improve your performance.
Are You a Good Candidate for Lipogems?
Do you have a painful condition and are wondering about your treatment options? Have you considered Lipogems®? This minimally invasive therapy is designed to stimulate the body’s healing process to stop pain for good.
What are Pericytes and How Can They Help You Heal?
You’ve probably heard of stem cell therapy. But, did you know that pericytes offer many of the same benefits, and they’re found in your fatty tissue? Find out how pericytes work and how lipoaspirate therapy stimulates healing from within.
6 Common Sports Injuries and How They’re Treated
From sprained wrists to rotator cuff tears, upper extremity injuries are common among athletes of all ages. Learn about six of the most common sports injuries and find out what to do if you get injured on the field.
Is It Likely That I’ll Have Arthritis if It Runs in My Family?
Arthritis is characterized by joint pain and stiffness. Anyone can develop arthritis, but if someone in your family already has it, your risk could be higher. Find out if arthritis is hereditary and what you can do if you notice early warning signs.