Dealing with Shoulder Pain? AC Joint Arthritis May Be the Culprit

As a shoulder specialist, I often see patients with shoulder pain that is caused by AC joint arthritis. The AC joint is where the clavicle (collarbone) meets the acromion, the bony projection on the top of the shoulder blade. Arthritis in this joint can cause pain and limit shoulder movement, making even simple tasks like reaching overhead difficult.

If you are experiencing shoulder pain, it's important to see a specialist like me for a proper diagnosis. In my practice, I use a combination of physical examination, imaging tests, and medical history to determine the source of your pain.

If your diagnosis is AC joint arthritis, don't worry. There are several treatment options available that can help you manage your symptoms and get back to your normal activities.

One treatment option is to modify your activity level and avoid movements that cause pain. I can work with you to develop a personalized exercise plan to help maintain strength and flexibility in your shoulder while minimizing stress on the joint.

In some cases, over-the-counter pain medications or corticosteroid injections can help alleviate pain and inflammation. I will discuss these options with you and determine if they are right for your specific case.

For patients with more advanced AC joint arthritis, surgery may be necessary. I specialize in minimally invasive surgery techniques that can effectively treat AC joint arthritis with smaller incisions and faster recovery times than traditional open surgery.

If you're experiencing shoulder pain, don't ignore it. Seeking proper medical attention can help you get the relief you need to return to the activities you love. Schedule an appointment with me to discuss your options for managing AC joint arthritis and getting back to a pain-free life.

Rotator cuff tendinitis

If you are experiencing shoulder pain, weakness, or limited range of motion, you may have rotator cuff tendinitis. This condition occurs when the tendons in the rotator cuff become inflamed or irritated, usually as a result of overuse or injury.

To diagnose rotator cuff tendinitis, I will perform a physical exam and may also order imaging tests such as an MRI or ultrasound to determine the severity of the inflammation and any associated damage to the shoulder.

Treatment for rotator cuff tendinitis may include a combination of rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medication, and physical therapy. I may also recommend corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and pain.

In more severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary. Arthroscopic surgery can be used to repair any tears or damage to the rotator cuff, and a complete recovery can take several months.

It is important to seek treatment for rotator cuff tendinitis as soon as possible to prevent further damage and promote healing. If you are experiencing symptoms, schedule an appointment with me to discuss your options for treatment and recovery.

Bicep Tendon issues and repairs

Many people hit the gym to get their beach body where they’d like it to be before the summer, but there are sometimes issues with pain or inflammation that can get in their way.

Biceps tendonitis is the technical term for irritation or inflammation in your upper biceps tendon, which attaches your biceps (the muscle located at the front of your upper arm) to your shoulder bones.  Tendons are tough strips of connective tissue which connect muscles to bones and let you move your arms, legs, and other body parts, and your biceps muscle has three of them: two that attach it to your shoulder bones and one that attaches it to your radius, one of your two forearm bone, at your elbow.

What are some of the causes for a bicep tendon injury?

Biceps tendon damage is most often simply the result of wear and tear due to normal daily use. Tendons age just like everything else in our bodies, and as we age they tend to weaken and degenerate just from being used every day over a lifetime. This slow degeneration can be accelerated by overuse or repeating the same motions over and over.

What are the symptoms of a bicep tendon injury?

If you tear your biceps tendon, the most obvious symptom will be pain—sudden and severe pain. Depending on where the tendon is injured, you may feel this in your upper arm or at the elbow. You may feel or even hear a popping sound when the tendon tears.

Other signs that you might have torn your biceps tend are:

• A sudden, sharp pain at your shoulder or in your elbow as the tendon tears

• Bruising of your upper arm in the injured area

• Weakness in your shoulder or your elbow as the muscle becomes detached

• Difficulty turning your arm and hand between palm-up and -down positions, as the detached muscle is unable to do its work

• The front of your upper arm may appear misshapen if the tendon is torn completely. Muscles, when properly attached, are stretched like rubber bands. When the tendon tears, it no longer holds one end in place and the muscle recoils, forming a bulge in your arm.

What are the treatment options for a bicep tendon injury?

While surgery may be necessary to repair a torn biceps tendon, many people are able to function normally without a surgical repair. The appropriate treatment depends on the type of injury and its severity, and in many cases symptoms can be relieved by the same treatments used for tendonitis. Tears that occur at the elbow require surgical repair more often than those at the shoulder.

Some surgical procedures can be done arthroscopically, using small incisions rather than a single large one, although open surgery has very good results and is the one that I prefer.

Surgical repairs for a biceps tendon injury may include:

Reattaching the remaining tendon to the bone.  This procedure is called a biceps tenodesis.

Subscapularis repair in reverse shoulder arthroplasty #ASES #Health

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31743476?dopt=Abstract

Interesting article about the biomechanics of subscapularis repair during a reverse shoulder arthroplasty. I use a lateralized implant for many reasons, so this article is pertinent to my practice and patients. The article found that a superior repair lead to the least stress on the repair. A failed subscapular repair can lead to shoulder weakness after surgery, so a successful repair is important, although controversial. I will consider this technique in the future and I look forward to more articles on the this subject.

AC Joint Separation Explained

Since the shoulder joint has the widest range of motion, it also is the most prone to injury from sports incidents, falls, or overuse.

What is an AC joint injury?

The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is formed between the collarbone (clavicle) and the tip of your shoulder blade (scapula). You can feel it by putting your hand on top of your shoulder and locating a bony bump.  You may sometimes hear an AC joint separation referred to as a shoulder separation, but it doesn’t actually involve the shoulder. Instead, it occurs when the collarbone separates from the shoulder blade.  AC joint injuries range in severity from a slight dislocation to a complete separation, and treatments can range from at-home treatments to AC joint surgery.  A slight dislocation is the most common type and causes the AC ligament to be stretched or partially torn. An AC joint may also be partially dislocated, with a completely torn AC ligament.

What are its symptoms?

The symptoms you may experience with an AC joint injury depend on the severity of your injury.

If you have a partial dislocation, you may have the following:

• Tenderness when you touch the joint

• Bruising

• Minor pain when you more your arm

If your AC joint is partially dislocated, you may experience the following:

• Moderate to severe pain

• Swelling

• Pain when you move your arm

• Clavicle moves when it’s pushed

• Painful to the touch

Finally, if you have a completely separated AC joint, you may have the following symptoms:

• Tendency to support your elbow and hold your arm close to your side

• Arm hurts with any type of movement

• Popping sound when you move your joint

• Swelling

• A bump on top of your shoulder, or the outer end of your collarbone may look out of place

• Unstable joint