Shoulder injuries can occur due to trauma from a fall, collision accident, or repetitive overuse of the joint. These incidents can lead to conditions like sprains, fractures, or rotator cuff tears, depending on the severity and nature of the incident. If you’ve injured your shoulder, your orthopedic surgeon can recommend conservative treatments or surgery. Here are several surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for shoulder injuries:
Nonsurgical Treatment Options
Some minor and moderate shoulder injuries can heal without an operation. Various nonsurgical treatment methods are available to help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and increase range of motion. Your orthopedic surgeon can recommend rest, activity modification, medication, and physical therapy as nonsurgical options.
Rest and activity modification help reduce the likelihood of exacerbating the injury. If you have a rotator cuff injury, you may need to avoid excessive overhead activities, like swimming and serving a tennis ball, to promote recovery. Physical therapy involves structured exercises designed to strengthen the muscles and provide stability. Range of motion exercises promote movement, reduce stiffness, and prevent frozen shoulder. Therapists can also use manual therapies to mobilize your joints and soft tissues.
Your surgeon may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroid injections to relieve pain and inflammation. Heat and cold therapy can also be used to alleviate inflammation and improve blood circulation. Bracing and immobilization help to minimize movement, which allows fractures and dislocated shoulders to heal properly. For conditions like mild bursitis, tendonitis, and rotator cuff tears, nonsurgical or conservative treatments are suitable as a first line of care. These treatments can also address early symptoms of wear and tear injuries, helping to prevent further damage to muscles and tendons.
Surgical Treatment Options
If you’ve suffered a significant shoulder injury, your surgeon may recommend an operation to help restore function and movement. Surgery is suggested for emergencies, severe injuries, and cases where conservative treatments have failed. Surgical treatments help to repair and reconstruct damaged tissues and tendons. Surgeons perform various operations, including arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, bone-preserving shoulder arthroplasty, and total shoulder replacement.
Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is a minimally invasive surgery that uses small incisions and a camera to repair torn tendons in the rotator cuff. It allows the surgeon to restore tendon function while minimizing recovery time and scarring. Bone-preserving shoulder arthroplasty replaces only the damaged parts of the shoulder joint, preserving as much healthy bone as possible. It may be recommended for younger patients or those with less extensive joint damage.
For severe shoulder damage, doctors may recommend a total shoulder replacement. This surgery involves replacing both the ball and socket of the shoulder with prosthetic components. It may be used in cases of advanced arthritis or extensive trauma, providing significant pain relief and improved range of motion.
Also Read: 4 Types of Supporting Evidence Used in Slip and Fall Cases
Speak to an Orthopedic Surgeon Today
Surgical and nonsurgical treatments can restore normal function following a shoulder injury. Factors such as injury, age, health status, and activity level help to determine whether or not surgery is feasible. Contact an orthopedic surgeon today to find out more about shoulder injury treatment options.
