Rotator cuff tendonitis, also known as rotator cuff tendinopathy, is a degenerative condition that affects one or more of the rotator cuff tendons located on the shoulder. A previous injury such as a rotator cuff partial dislocation or strain can lead to rotator cuff tendonitis. 

The condition is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain. A patient can feel it coming on gradually over time or after straining the rotator cuff because it has not healed properly.

Terrific and board certified orthopedic surgeons at the Thomas & Bigler Knee & Shoulder Institute provide treatments for rotator cuff tendonitis to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, and surrounding locations across the horizon.

Symptoms

Shoulder tendonitis is associated with shoulder pain while resting or due to certain movements. The pain may occur even while sleeping at night. A patient also feels pain when performing overhead activities such as playing racket sports or swimming.

However, pain caused by arm movements below shoulder height is less common in rotator cuff tendinopathy. A patient may also feel a creaking, referred to as crepitus, while performing shoulder movements.

Treatment

The condition can be diagnosed and any tearing of the tendon can be identified with the help of a MRI scan. The rotator cuff tendinopathy treatment includes two stages. The first part consists of treating the symptoms to reduce the inflammation and pain, so that the patient can make normal movement. The second stage includes addressing the underlying causes of the condition and correcting them.

As a first part of the treatment, the patient should perform RICE therapy as follows:

• Rest: The patient should refrain from activities that cause pain. Rest is advised.

• Ice or cold therapy: Pain and inflammation can be reduced with the help of ice or cold therapy. The patient can apply ice for 10 minutes every hour. The frequency can be gradually reduced to applying ice for 15 minutes every three to four hours, based on the state of the condition.

• Exercises: It is imperative for patients to exercise once the pain and inflammation has subsided enough to allow it.

Other Treatments

Medication

The surgeon may prescribe ibuprofen or other anti inflammatory medication that brings about pain relief in the early stages of the injury.

Electrotherapy

Treatments such as magnetic field, laser, interferential stimulation, or ultrasound may be helpful in mitigating pain and inflammation.

Massage

A sports massage may bring about relaxation and loosen the tightness of the shoulder muscles. A cross friction massage on the tendon can be helpful if cold therapy or other initial conservative treatment cannot address the chronic injury.

Corticosteroid Injections

Injecting corticosteroid into the subacromial space of the shoulder can help reduce the pain and inflammation as well as facilitate the initiation to an exercise rehabilitation program.

Treatment may be difficult if there is tendon calcification or bone growth. In such cases, the surgeon may suggest keyhole surgery. Fantastic and board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven Thomas and Dr. Gregory Bigler receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada, and other suburbs and neighborhoods in The Silver State for the poignant treatment of shoulder tendonitis.

If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about the Knee and Shoulder Institute procedures & treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada board certified surgeons Steven C. Thomas, MD and Gregory T. Bigler, MD. call (702) 933-9393; Physical Therapy (702) 933-9393.

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A posterior shoulder dislocation takes place when the head of the long bone in the upper arm, known as the humerus, moves backward out of the socket. The humerus bone is most likely felt at the back of the joint. It is quite a rare shoulder injury because the majority of shoulder dislocations are anterior. 

Remarkable, sagacious, and board certified orthopedic surgeons at the Thomas & Bigler Knee & Shoulder Institute provide treatments for posterior shoulder dislocation to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, and surrounding towns and neighborhoods in this part of the US.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a dislocated shoulder posterior include excruciating pain in the joint of the shoulder at the time of injury, followed by rapid swelling. The condition leads to a total loss of shoulder function and the patient is not only in constant pain but is also unable to use the arm. The afflicted shoulder also has a deformed appearance and the patient usually wants to hold out the arm to the side and rotate it inward.

Causes

Shoulder posterior dislocations usually happen due to two reasons, either because of a direct hit to the humeral head’s front, or by falling onto an outstretched arm. Both the causes leading to shoulder posterior dislocations can occur due to sports activities, particularly contact sports. These may also occur due to trauma caused by vehicle accidents and epileptic seizures where the patient violently thrashes their arm.

Treatment

A patient should seek medical attention immediately for posterior shoulder dislocation. They should not move their shoulder or try to put it back into position on their own. An orthopedic surgeon will check the hand, wrist, sensations and pulses in the arm to determine if there is any blood vessel or nerve damage.

For minor dislocations and conditions where there are no associated fractures, a surgeon can actually pop back the dislocated bone back into place. In any case the patient will be administered an anesthetic, sedatives, or relaxants before such a step is carried out.

The surgeon will then prescribe adequate rest to give time to the soft tissues in the shoulder to heal. Subsequently, the patient will be put on a rehabilitation program to regain strength and full movement.

Severe cases that involve fractures, damage to nerves or blood vessels, or extensive soft tissue injury may require surgery to treat the humeral head and repair the injured structures. Surgery will have to be followed by a period of complete rest and a comprehensive rehabilitation program.

Surgery

A surgeon may operate when the patient has recurrent dislocation or subluxation. In such cases, an individual’s torn cartilage and ligaments are reattached to the bone with stitches or sutures.

If the subluxation or dislocation is secondary to the stretched ligaments, then first the surgeon will tighten the ligament with a process called capsular shift or capsulorraphy, and then secure it with sutures or stitches.

If a patient has stretched ligaments, which are also torn away from the bone, then both the procedures can be carried out. Golden and board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven Thomas and Dr. Gregory Bigler receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada, and nearby areas in The Battle Born State for the treatment of posterior shoulder dislocation.

If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about the Knee and Shoulder Institute procedures & treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada board certified surgeons Steven C. Thomas, MD and Gregory T. Bigler, MD. call (702) 933-9393; Physical Therapy (702) 933-9393.

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The biceps muscle bifurcates into two tendons at the shoulder, which is the long tendon and the short tendon. The long tendon goes over the upper arm’s top and attaches to the shoulder blade’s top.

Long tendon inflammation of the biceps muscle, also known as biceps tendinitis, is a common condition that may typically affect weightlifters, golfers, throwers, rowers, and swimmers.

Innovative, cordial, and board certified orthopedic surgeons at the Thomas & Bigler Knee & Shoulder Institute provide treatments for biceps inflammation to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, and other cities and suburbs in The Sagebrush State.

Symptoms

Biceps tendon inflammation is characterized by pain at the shoulder’s front where the biceps muscle’s long head attaches. A patient can isolate the biceps tendon by lifting their arm straight up in front against resistance, which reproduces the pain at the shoulder front. An individual can also feel tenderness when they press over the tendon at the same point.

Treatment

An athlete inflicted with long head of biceps inflammation should rest until the pain subsides. The patient should apply ice to get relief from pain and inflammation. The patient should apply ice for 10 to 15 minutes every hour in the beginning and thereby should reduce the frequency as there is gradual improvement. Patients must also consult a sports injury professional.

A sports injury specialist will prescribe ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory medication. The specialist or a physical therapist may also demonstrate strengthening and stretching exercises as a part of a full rehabilitation program. A trained theapist may give a sports massage to the injured muscle. If the case is chronic then a sports injury specialist can apply a cross friction massage to the tendon.

Non-Surgical Treatment

An orthopedic surgeon will usually start the treatment of biceps tendinitis with simple methods, such as prescribing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines and drugs like naproxen and ibuprofen to reduce swelling and pain. The surgeon may also prescribe cortisone steroids, which are impactful anti-inflammatory medicines. Steroid injections in the tendon can bring about pain relief.

Physical therapy, including specific strengthening and stretching exercises may also be prescribed to help restore the strength and motion of the shoulder.

Surgical Treatment

If the patient’s condition does not become better with non-surgical treatment, then a surgeon may offer to operate. Surgery also makes for a prudent option if the patient is afflicted with other shoulder problems.

Arthroscopic Surgery

Arthroscopic surgery involves inserting of an arthroscope and very small surgical instruments into the joint of the shoulder. Biceps tendinitis surgery is generally performed arthroscopically as it allows the surgeon to assess the biceps tendon’s condition as well as the other shoulder structures.

The arthroscope is a small camera that shows images on a television screen, which are used by the surgeon to guide the miniature surgical instruments.

Biceps Tenodesis

In some cases, a surgeon can carry out biceps tenodesis where the bicep’s damaged section is removed and the remaining tendon is reattached to the humerus. Salient, astute, and board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven Thomas and Dr. Gregory Bigler receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada, and other neighborhoods and towns in this area of the southwest for the treatment of biceps inflammation.

If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about the Knee and Shoulder Institute procedures & treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada board certified surgeons Steven C. Thomas, MD and Gregory T. Bigler, MD. call (702) 933-9393; Physical Therapy (702) 933-9393.

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An orthopedic surgeon typically specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of the disorders of the joints, bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. Thomas & Bigler Knee & Shoulder Institute, led by board certified surgeons Dr. Thomas and Dr. Bigler, provides orthopedic surgery to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada and surrounding communities.

Key Treatments

Some of the major treatments in orthopedic surgery include the following:

• Joint replacement (reconstruction, revision and replacement)
• Fracture care and trauma
• Microvascular procedures, such as nerve repair and muscle grafts
• Sports injuries
• Limb deformity
• Foot and ankle injuries
• Hand surgery
• Shoulder surgery
• Spine disorders
• Tumor surgery for bone cancers
• Pediatric orthopedic conditions

Most Common Orthopedic Surgeries

An experienced orthopedic surgeon can treat a variety of conditions by using both surgical and non-surgical approaches. The experts at Thomas & Bigler Knee & Shoulder Institute provide the appropriate treatments to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada and nearby areas. The most common orthopedic procedures usually include the following:

Total Knee Joint Replacement

Patients suffering for acute arthritis and seeking pain relief and improved range of motion may be fit candidates for total joint replacement surgery. The surgeon will assess the damaged areas of the joint, which may lie within various joints in the body, and replace them with plastic and metal surfaces. These replacements are naturally shaped to restore normal knee movement and function.

Total Shoulder Replacement

Patients with severe shoulder damage can receive relief through this procedure. Shoulder replacement will diminish the pain and discomfort in the shoulder joint. The procedure involves replacing the damaged parts of the cartilage and bone in the shoulder with a plastic or metal implant. The range of motion in the shoulder joint will improve with this surgery.

ACL Reconstructive Surgery

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is one of the major stabilizing ligaments in the knee. In case of a damage or rupture of this ligament, an orthopedic surgeon can reconstruct it with ACL reconstructive surgery. The procedure involves removal of the torn ligament and replacing it with own tissue or donor tissue to build new ACL.

The new ligament will be attached to the bone with staples or screws. As the healing of the knee takes place, the bone tunnels carved by the surgeon will start filling with new tissue, securing the new ligament.

Arthroscopy

In orthopedic surgery, arthroscopic techniques have proved to be particularly successful in making the procedure more precise and less invasive. As compared to a traditional ‘open’ knee or shoulder surgery, an arthroscopic surgery can help the patient recover much faster and with less risk of any complications.

Knee arthroscopy is one of the most common procedures performed by orthopedic surgeons today, and even various other orthopedic procedures are now performed arthroscopically in many cases. Recovery in such cases can be in a matter of days, instead of weeks in case of an open surgery.

If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about the Knee and Shoulder Institute procedures & treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada board certified surgeons Steven C. Thomas, MD and Gregory T. Bigler, MD. call (702) 933-9393; Physical Therapy (702) 933-9394

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