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Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a minimally-invasive diagnostic and treatment procedure used for conditions of a joint. Originally, arthroscopy was a diagnostic tool only, used primarily for planning a standard open surgery. However, because of the development of new instruments and advanced surgical techniques, many conditions can also be treated with arthroscopic surgery.
Conditions most frequently discovered during arthroscopy:
- inflammation
- rotator cuff tendon tears, impingement syndrome, and recurrent dislocations
- pieces of loose bone and/or cartilage
Treatment
After Surgery/Recovery
Physical Therapy is a critical part of complete recovery. Our doctors recommend DMC's Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, with 30 convenient locations across southeastern Michigan. To find one near you, click here.
Rotator Cuff Repair
The rotator cuff consists of muscles and tendons that hold the shoulder in place. It is one of the most important parts of the shoulder. The rotator cuff allows a person to lift his/her arm and reach up. An injury to the rotator cuff, such as a tear, may happen suddenly when falling on an outstretched hand or develop over time due to repetitive activities. Rotator cuff degeneration and tears may also be caused by aging.
Diagnostic procedures may include the following:
Treatment
Surgical techniques that may be used to repair a tear of the rotator cuff include arthroscopy, open surgery, or a combination of both. The goal of rotator cuff repair surgery is to help restore the function and flexibility of the shoulder and to relieve the pain that cannot be controlled by other treatments.
After Surgery/Recovery
Physical Therapy is a critical part of complete recovery. Our doctors recommend DMC's Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, with 30 convenient locations across southeastern Michigan. To find one near you, click here.
Total Reverse Shoulder Replacement
This surgery was developed in Europe in the 1980s. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the United States in 2004.
Reverse total shoulder replacement may be an option for people who have:
- completely torn rotator cuffs
- the effects of severe arthritis (cuff tear arthropathy)
- had a previous shoulder replacement that failed
Older people who have significant pain and little to no movement in their shoulder are the best candidates. It is ideal for patients with chronic, longstanding rotator cuff tears coupled with arthritis.
Diagnostic procedures may include the following:
Treatment
In the healthy shoulder, the upper arm bone (humerus) ends in a ball shape. This fits into a socket formed by the shoulder blade (scapula). Together this ball and socket form the shoulder.
The Reverse Shoulder prosthesis “reverses” the way the shoulder works with an implant designed on which the socket and metal ball are switched. The ball portion attaches to the scapula and the socket attaches to the humerus. By reversing the shoulder anatomy allow the patient to use the deltoid muscle instead of the rotator cuff to lift the arm. As a result, the patient will have a much better range of motion.
After Surgery/Recovery
Physical Therapy is a critical part of complete recovery. Our doctors recommend DMC's Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, with 30 convenient locations across southeastern Michigan. To find one near you, click here.
Total Shoulder Replacement
The most common cause of the need for shoulder replacement is osteoarthritis or injury. In arthritis, cartilage - the tissue that protects bones in a joint - breaks down and wears away. Bones rub together, causing pain and loss of motion.
Other reasons for surgery include:
- Osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Post-traumatic arthritis
- Rotator cuff tear arthropathy (a combination of severe arthritis and a massive non-reparable rotator cuff tendon tear)
- Failed previous shoulder replacement surgery
Diagnostic procedures may include the following:
Symptoms
X-ray evidence of joint damage is one of the criteria used to decide who should have this surgery. It is not the only one, though. The primary symptoms of pain and decreased mobility are more important.
Candidates for joint replacement surgery should have one of the following: severe pain during activity, such as walking or getting up from a chair; pain that prevents them from doing activities; or pain at night that prevents them from sleeping.
Treatment
Treatments include:
In this operation, a surgeon replaces the shoulder joint with an artificial ball for the top of the humerus and a cap (glenoid) for the scapula. The success of the operation often depends on the condition of rotator cuff muscles prior to surgery.
Artificial joints are usually made of metal and hard plastic. Depending on the type of replacement joint used, cement may be used to attach some of the parts. Metal parts may be anchored by inserting a rod into the bone or with cement.
Physical therapy is a critical part of recovery from shoulder replacement. Patients can start passive shoulder exercises, in which someone else moves the joint for you, soon after surgery and will continue physical therapy for up to 12 weeks. There still may be some pain in the two to three moths after surgery, however, it's usually a different type of pain and will go away as the recovery period continues.
After Surgery/Recovery
Physical Therapy is a critical part of complete recovery. Our doctors recommend DMC's Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, with 30 convenient locations across southeastern Michigan. To find one near you, click here.