Instead of suffering with pain, swelling and stiffness, a visit to a shoulder doctor in Reading, PA can get you started on restoring your range of motion and return you to your favorite sports and other activities.
The shoulder is among the most unique, complex and important joints in the human body. It moves freely in many directions, more so than any other joint, and is very flexible because of its unique structure. Similar to the hip, the shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint.
The humerus (upper arm bone) fits into a socket formed by the scapula (shoulder blade). It is surrounded by a rubbery cartilage called the labrum, which adds stability to the joint. There is also a combination of muscles and tendons, called the rotator cuff, that keep the humerus centered in the socket and attached to the scapula. This structure makes the shoulder extremely mobile, but prone to injury or instability.
Frequent overhead movements and sudden traumatic injury can damage the tissues inside the shoulder. Although symptoms, and examination, and different types of X-rays can tell us a lot about the nature of the problem, we often need to use shoulder arthroscopy to determine more precisely what is wrong.
Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery
Arthroscopy has revolutionized many different types of orthopedic surgery. Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is one of the most common shoulder surgeries and is commonly used to treat and surgically repair a variety of shoulder problems.
The arthroscope is a small (pencil-sized) telescope with a small video camera attached. It is inserted into the shoulder via a small incision, allowing the orthopedic surgeon to see inside the joint and make any necessary repairs using special instruments inserted through other small incisions.
The advances in arthroscopic technology mean that large surgical incisions are rarely necessary. Many procedures on the shoulder and knee can be completed with two or three 1/4-inch incisions, although more extensive surgeries, such as rotator cuff repair or ligament reconstruction, may require larger incisions.
Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is used to treat a variety of injuries and conditions, including AC joint injuries or dislocated shoulders, frozen (or stiff) shoulder, bone and cartilage fragments, damaged or torn tendons (such as rotator cuff tears), labral tears, and fractures of the shoulder area.
Treatment for Shoulder Arthritis
A total shoulder replacement, also known as total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), may be able to reduce pain and improve range of motion in patients with severe arthritic conditions. The surgery replaces damaged bone and cartilage with a plastic or metal implant. Other abnormalities may also benefit from the total shoulder replacement, such as severe fractures and other degenerative disorders. The primary goal of the surgery is to alleviate pain and improve motion, strength and function.
A reverse shoulder replacement can be more beneficial for patients who are not candidates for total shoulder replacement because they have large rotator cuff tears and a complex type of shoulder arthritis called “cuff tear arthropathy.” This procedure also uses a metal or plastic ball and socket device, but the ball is placed on the shoulder blade, and the socket is placed on top of the arm bone.
Dr. Stephen R. Soffer, in Wyomissing, is a board certified orthopedic surgeon who has been included in U.S. News & World Report’s Top Doctor listing for the last five years because of his orthopedic expertise. He is a leading expert in arthroscopy and specializes in the treatment of many sports-related injuries, as well as the open and arthroscopic treatment of knee, shoulder and elbow injuries and artificial joint replacement for arthritis of the knee, shoulder and hip.
When you need a shoulder doctor in Reading PA who can help you alleviate inflammation, swelling and persistent pain, call 610-375-4949 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Soffer.
