Joint injuries are common musculoskeletal problems, especially when it comes to the shoulder. Whether you’re an athlete or a person who deals with a chronicjoint condition, shoulder pain can impact your daily life. However, thanks to advancements in technology and surgery, there is hope for overcoming shoulder issues. Here are some of the recent advancements in shoulder treatments.
Arthroscopy
One of the most significant advancements in shoulder surgery is arthroscopy. This minimally invasive procedure involves small incisions, and tiny instruments. Miniaturized cameras help visualize the shoulder joint and repair it.
Compared to open, large incision surgeries, arthroscopy is much less invasive. As a result, patients experience:
- Smaller scars
- Less pain and bleeding during healing
- Faster rehabilitation
- Lower risk of complications, such as infection
With arthroscopic techniques, orthopedic surgeons treat various shoulder conditions such as:
- Rotator cuff tears
- Labral tears
- Shoulder instability due to repeated dislocations
Reverse Shoulder Replacement
Another groundbreaking innovation in shoulder surgery is reverse shoulder replacement. Traditionally, astandard total or partial shoulder replacement was done to treatsevere arthritis or other degenerative conditions in the joint. However, for patients with chronic weakness or pain, reverse shoulder replacement offers better freedom of movement than traditional shoulder procedures.
In a reverse shoulder replacement, the ball and socket components of the joint are switched. This means that the ball is attached to the glenoid bone (shoulder blade), and the socket is attached to the humeral head (upper arm bone). This unique orientation of joint replacement allows for:
- Better shoulder joint stability
- Increased range of motion
- Decreased stress on the muscles and tendons around the joint
The reverse shoulder replacement procedure typically takes about two hours and involves small incisions to access the joint. The damaged portions of bone and cartilage are removed, and the orthopedic surgeon implants the components into their places. After surgery and recovery, the deltoid muscle accomplishes much of the movement in the operated shoulder.
Nerve Blocks for Shoulder Surgeries
Nerve blocks are another important tools used in shoulder surgeries. These injections prevent specific nerves from sending pain signals to the brain, providing temporary and substantial pain relief.
Often, nerve blocks are used during surgery to reduce or eliminate the need for general anesthesia. This is beneficial because general anesthesia can have more side effects and a longer recovery time. Additionally, nerve blocks help to manage pain during the healing process. This allows patients to have a more comfortable recovery and potentially reduce the need for heavy pain medications.
Balloon Spacers for Rotator Cuff Problems
Balloon spacers are ballons that are placed in shoulder joint to minimize friction between the muscle and bones. This makes shoulder movement easier and less painful. Balloon spacers can be placed through arthroscopic surgery.
During the procedure, the orthopedic surgeon makes small incisions. They place a dissolvable balloon spacer into the subacromial space. This is the space just above the humeral head, or ball-like upper arm bone.
The orthopedic doctor then inflates the balloon saline solution. This effectively opens up the joint and reduces pressure on the rotator cuff tendons and muscles. This technique is used with physical therapy to help strengthen and rehabilitate injured tendons. Over the ensuing weeks to months, the balloon spacer simply dissolves.
The goal of this innovative orthopedic treatment is to postponeor even eliminate the need for surgical repair of torn rotator cuffs.
Your Shoulder Surgeon in The Baltimore, MD, Area
At Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder, our eight board-certified orthopedic surgeons expertly diagnose and treat a long list of upper extremity problems, including those due to congenital deformity, traumatic and sports injury, overuse and degenerative conditions. They use the best and most up to date in imaging and in operative and non-surgical techniques, each uniquely tailored to the patient’s health and therapeutic goals.
For more information about how we can help you have the best possible upper extremity function, call us for an in-depth consultation at (410) 296-6232, or request your visit here.
We have locations in Lutherville, Bel Air, Clarksville, Pasadena and Westminster, MD. We will be happy to speak with you and discuss your options for improved musculoskeletal health.
