Comprehensive Shoulder and Elbow Care

April 15, 2024
OrthoNJ

Don't Let Shoulder Pain or Elbow Pain Hold You Back

From physical therapy to shoulder replacement surgery, a wide continuum of shoulder and elbow conditions can impact your daily life and require expert advice from an orthopaedic shoulder and elbow specialist. Your shoulder and elbow are remarkable joints, offering incredible flexibility and strength. However, their versatility also makes them prone to overuse and injury, leading to discomfort and limitations in daily activities. OrthoNJ understands the importance of restoring function and alleviating pain in these crucial joints, offering comprehensive care tailored to your needs.

Learn More About Shoulder & Elbow Care at OrthoNJ

What Causes Shoulder Pain

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Common Causes of Shoulder and Elbow pain

  • Overuse
  • Injury
  • Underlying conditions

Shoulder and elbow pain and issues often arise due to a combination of overuse and injury or underlying conditions. With their remarkable range of motion and load-bearing capabilities, these joints are frequently subjected to repetitive movements and strenuous activities, particularly in sports and occupations involving overhead motions.

Over time, this repetitive stress leads to wear and tear on the tendons, ligaments, and cartilage, resulting in conditions such as tendonitis, impingement syndrome, and cartilage degeneration.

Additionally, sudden trauma or impact, common in contact sports or accidents, can cause acute injuries such as fractures, dislocations, and ligament tears, further exacerbating shoulder and elbow problems. Whether stemming from gradual wear or sudden injury, addressing these issues promptly with appropriate treatment and preventive measures is crucial to maintaining joint health and function.

Frequent Shoulder Issues

  • Frozen Shoulder
  • Impingement Syndrome
  • Labrum Tears
  • Rotator Cuff Tear
  • Rotator Cuff Pain
  • Glenohumeral Arthritis
  • Shoulder Dislocation

Frequent Elbow Issues

  • Elbow Arthritis
  • Tennis Elbow / Golfer’s Elbow
  • Ulnar Nerve Compression
  • Elbow Bursitis
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How Do You Treat Shoulder Pain?

At OrthoNJ, we prioritize patient-centric, personalized treatment plans and conservative treatments whenever possible. Whether you're dealing with rotator cuff pain or tennis elbow our specialists will find a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Non-surgical treatment for shoulder pain or elbow pain may include:

Physical Therapy

At OrthoNJ, our physical therapy teams within the division groups are dedicated to providing exceptional, personalized care and support to our patients as they recover. Led by experienced and compassionate therapists, our teams specialize in addressing a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including those affecting the shoulders and elbows. With a focus on personalized treatment plans, our physical therapists work closely with patients to optimize function, alleviate pain, and restore mobility. Whether recovering from surgery, managing chronic conditions, or rehabilitating from sports injuries, patients can trust in the expertise and dedication of OrthoNJ's physical therapy teams to guide them towards a full and active life.

Pain Management

OrthoNJ's division pain management specialists, also known as physiatrists, are integral members of our multidisciplinary team dedicated to helping patients alleviate pain and improve their quality of life. With extensive expertise in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal pain, our physiatrists employ a holistic approach that focuses on non-surgical interventions to manage pain and enhance function. From comprehensive evaluations to personalized treatment plans, our specialists utilize a variety of modalities, including medication management, interventional procedures, therapeutic injections, and rehabilitation techniques. Whether dealing with acute injuries, chronic conditions, or post-operative pain, patients can rely on the compassionate care and expertise of OrthoNJ's pain management specialists to help them regain control and find relief from pain.

Injections

Injections play a crucial role in non-surgical treatment options for shoulder and elbow issues in orthopaedics. These injections typically involve the delivery of medication directly into the affected joint or the surrounding tissues to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. Common types of injections used in orthopaedics include corticosteroids, which help reduce inflammation and provide temporary pain relief, and viscosupplementation injections, which aim to lubricate the joint and improve mobility in conditions such as arthritis. Additionally, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, derived from a patient's own blood, are gaining popularity for their potential to stimulate tissue repair and regeneration. These minimally invasive procedures can offer significant relief for patients suffering from conditions such as tendonitis, bursitis, and arthritis, allowing them to regain function and resume their daily activities with less discomfort.

If surgery becomes necessary, rest assured that we employ advanced techniques to minimize invasiveness and maximize recovery.

Surgical interventions may encompass:

Arthroscopic Repairs (Labrum, Rotator Cuff)

Arthroscopic repairs are minimally invasive surgical procedures used to address injuries or tears in the labrum or rotator cuff of the shoulder. During the procedure, a small camera (arthroscope) is inserted through tiny incisions. This allows the surgeon to visualize and repair the damaged tissue with specialized instruments. Compared to traditional open surgery, arthroscopic techniques offer the advantage of reduced pain, faster recovery, and improved outcomes.

Joint Reconstruction (AC Joint)

Joint reconstruction procedures are performed to restore stability and function to the acromioclavicular (AC) joint in the shoulder, which may be damaged due to trauma or degenerative conditions. This surgery involves realigning or repairing the ligaments and possibly removing damaged tissue to improve joint mechanics and reduce pain. Joint reconstruction aims to restore proper shoulder mechanics and prevent further degeneration of the AC joint.

Fracture Fixation (Shoulder, Elbow)

Fracture fixation procedures involve stabilizing broken bones in the shoulder or elbow through surgical intervention. Various techniques such as screws, plates, or rods may be used to hold the fractured bones in place while they heal, it depends on the severity of the fracture. Fracture fixation aims to restore normal anatomy, promote bone healing, and prevent long-term complications such as joint instability or deformity.

Elbow or Shoulder Replacement Surgery

Total joint replacement surgeries are performed to replace severely damaged or degenerated shoulder or elbow joints with artificial implants. These procedures are typically recommended when patietns have advanced arthritis or irreparable joint damage that causes significant pain and limits function. Total joint replacement aims to relieve pain, restore mobility, and improve quality of life by replacing the damaged joint surfaces with prosthetic components designed to mimic natural joint motion.

Nerve Compression Release (Ulnar Nerve Transposition)

Nerve compression release, specifically ulnar nerve transposition, is a surgical procedure to relieve pressure on the ulnar nerve as it passes through the elbow. Ulnar nerve compression can cause numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and fingers; this is known as cubital tunnel syndrome. During the procedure, the ulnar nerve is repositioned to a more favorable location, away from the structures causing compression, to alleviate symptoms and restore nerve function. Nerve compression release aims to improve hand function and reduce discomfort associated with cubital tunnel syndrome.

You don't have to stay in pain. Contact one of our ONJ divisions to schedule an appointment.

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The OrthoNJ Difference: Cutting-Edge Technology and Personalized Care To Get Rid of Your Shoulder Pain

Shoulder and elbow pain shouldn’t dictate your lifestyle. Whether you’re an athlete sidelined by injury or someone struggling with everyday tasks due to discomfort, OrthoNJ is here to help. We understand that every patient is unique, and so are your injuries. Our approach begins with a precise diagnosis facilitated by state-of-the-art imaging technology. This enables us to tailor a treatment plan specific to your condition, ensuring optimal outcomes.

Our team of orthopaedic shoulder and elbow specialists is dedicated to restoring function and improving your quality of life through comprehensive shoulder and elbow care.

With six divisions covering Northern New Jersey to Southern New Jersey, the care you deserve is easy to find. Don’t let shoulder and elbow pain hold you back. Take your first step towards regaining a pain-free, active life; contact one today to schedule a consultation.

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