Los Angeles Rotator Cuff Specialist

Rotator cuff tears and injuries are usually accompanied by pain and the inability to fully move or extend the arm, and it is necessary to consult with an experienced orthopedic surgeon to assess the degree of the tear and damage to the shoulder joint in order to determine the proper course of treatment and rehabilitation.

Los Angeles Rotator Cuff Specialist

Rotator cuff injuries are typically common in people who engage in repetitive movements that require overhead extension of the arm and shoulder, such as athletes in sports like baseball, tennis, swimming and basketball. A Los Angeles rotator cuff specialist will often treat professional athletes throughout the season to ensure that the initial tear is handled properly and to avoid a recurrence of the injury.

Orthopedic specialists have a few options for treating a rotator cuff tear, which occurs when one of the tendons that functions to keep the shoulder secure and stable in the joint suffers damage. If the tear is severe and does not respond to conservative physical therapy or heal on its own after time, a doctor could determine that surgery is the best treatment option for repairing the tear or reconstructing the tendon. Surgeons can opt for the more traditional open shoulder surgery or a less invasive procedure known as arthroscopic surgery.

With arthroscopic surgery, an orthopedic specialist will make several small incisions around the shoulder joint as an entry point for an arthroscope, the device used in the procedure. An arthroscope is equipped with a small light and camera at the end, and it is used as both a diagnostic and surgical tool. The images from inside the shoulder joint are projected onto a video screen in the operating room and help guide the surgeon through the procedure.

Next, learn more about Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Surgery Beverly Hills.