The Most Common Shoulder Injuries and How to Treat Them
- Posted on: Nov 15 2023
Shoulder injuries are among the most common orthopedic injuries. They can be caused by stress, strain, overuse, or direct trauma through a sudden movement, fall, or impact. At Redwood Orthopaedic Surgery Associates, patients are given personalized treatment plans that help improve mobility and restore functionality for all shoulder injuries, including the most common ones listed below.
5 Top Shoulder Injuries and Treatment Options
The experts at Redwood Orthopaedic Surgery Associates treat every type of shoulder condition. These are the most common injuries patients visit the office for and the most effective treatments for each.
- Rotator cuff tear — The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons in the shoulder; they can be torn or strained through repetitive use or injury. Surgery is usually required as these tears do not heal on their own.
- AC joint injury or sprain — When ligaments in the AC joint are injured, they may heal on their own with rest. Moderate to severe sprains will need physical therapy and possibly surgical intervention to recover completely. In the case of complete shoulder separation, both surgical and non-surgical options are available.
- Adhesive capsulitis — Also known as frozen shoulder, adhesive capsulitis is marked by pain and stiffness in the shoulder that can make it difficult to move. Treatment options include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections, and physical therapy.
- Impingement — Shoulder impingement happens when the tendons in the shoulder rub against the bony edge of the shoulder blade, called the acromion. Impingement can lead to tendonitis, which causes chronic inflammation and tears that require surgical intervention. Early treatment for impingement can include physiotherapy, pain management, rest, activity modification, and corticosteroid injections.
- Bursitis — Repetitive shoulder use or injury can irritate the bursa, fluid-filled sacs that help reduce friction between the bones of joints. Shoulder bursitis can be treated with steroid injections, physical therapy, activity modification, and drainage through joint aspiration.
Shoulder injuries must be treated with a personalized approach that addresses the underlying cause and any side effects of an injury. Because these injuries can be caused in a number of ways by a range of conditions, it’s crucial to receive care from an orthopedic expert who will take your health and medical history into account.
Schedule an Appointment TodayÂ
If you are seeking treatment for a shoulder injury, then you can schedule an appointment with Redwood Orthopaedic Associates in Santa Rosa, CA. You can submit a contact form online or call the office directly at (707) 544-3400.
Posted in: Shoulder Treatments
