Services
Shoulder
As the most movable joint in the body, the shoulder can be subject to any number of injuries or issues. These can include shoulder dislocation or separation, rotator cuff tears, arthritis or bursitis. Orthopedic Associates of Dutchess County’s team of physicians brings advanced training in diagnosing and treating these conditions.
Orthopedic Associates of Dutchess County’s staff has far-reaching expertise in treating everything from soreness caused by sports activities to the chronic pain of rotator cuff injury or shoulder arthritis. Utilizing a team approach with our pain management, physical therapy and diagnostic staff, our specialty-trained physicians can quickly diagnose the cause of a patient’s pain and establish a course of treatment that meets their individual needs and goals.
Should conservative treatment options fail, our fellowship-trained surgeons have extensive experience in shoulder replacement (arthroplasty) surgery. Like better known hip or knee replacement surgery, shoulder replacement is a viable option for many patients suffering from severe arthritis or other degenerative conditions.
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WARNING SIGNS OF A SHOULDER INJURY
If you are experiencing pain in your shoulder, ask yourself these questions:
- Is your shoulder stiff?
- Can you rotate your arm in all the normal positions?
- Does it feel like your shoulder could pop out or slide out of the socket?
- Do you lack the strength in your shoulder to carry out your daily activities?
Conditions
A fractured collarbone and acromioclavicular separation are common injuries of children and others who fall on the side of their shoulder when playing. Most of these injuries are treated non-surgically with slings or splints. Severe displaced fractures or acromioclavicular joint separation may require surgical repair.
A fractured head of the humerus is a common result of falls on an outstretched arm, particularly by older people with osteoporosis. If fragmented or displaced, it may require open surgical repair and possibly replacement with an artificial joint (prosthesis).
Conditions
A patient with a very large, long-standing rotator cuff tear may develop cuff tear arthropathy. In this condition, the changes in the shoulder joint due to the rotator cuff tear may lead to arthritis and destruction of the joint cartilage.
Avascular necrosis is a painful condition that occurs when the blood supply to the bone is disrupted. Because bone cells die without a blood supply, osteonecrosis can ultimately cause destruction of the shoulder joint and lead to arthritis. Chronic steroid use, deep sea diving, severe fracture of the shoulder, sickle cell disease, and heavy alcohol use are risk factors for avascular necrosis.
A severe fracture of the shoulder is another common reason people have shoulder replacements. When the head of the upper arm bone is shattered, it may be very difficult for a doctor to put the pieces of bone back in place. In addition, the blood supply to the bone pieces can be interrupted. In this case, shoulder replacement surgery may be recommended. Older patients with osteoporosis are most at risk for severe shoulder fractures.