A Guide to Shoulder Surgery Treatments

More people are taking a proactive role in getting in shape and improving their health by becoming more active. Because of the increase in physical activity, more people are ending up with shoulder injuries. A good amount of orthopedic patients are being treated because they have experienced some sort of pain or injury in this joint. Even though there are treatments that can successfully resolve many shoulder injuries, in some cases the only solution is to have shoulder surgery. Even if you decide not to see a specialist, if the pain you experience is too great or your movement suddenly becomes very limited, you need to see an orthopedic specialist for therapy.The only time shoulder surgery is truly needed is when your physical condition does not improve using other treatment options such as physical therapy or medication. There are several surgical methods that can be performed to improve your medical condition. The least invasive form of shoulder surgery is arthroscopic and the most invasive is total shoulder replacement.In the arthroscopic procedure, the surgeon has to make several small cuts to be able to feed a special camera into the affected area and use telescopic instruments are used to surgically repair the tears, excise any bone deformities and make more room for the inflamed and swollen tendons and ligaments so they can heal properly. In conditions where there is severe inflammation that is causing the joint to remain in a fixed position, arthroscopic shoulder surgery can be done to cut through the compressed portion of the joint to unlock the joint from position, thus restoring the range of motion and function. This is a good treatment option for patients who have been diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff. This is one condition that cannot heal by itself and when the condition becomes too unbearable, the only way to get relief is to have an operation.Fractures are another condition where an operation may be the only way to get some relief from the pain and discomfort of the condition. Usually fractures can occur from a severe case of osteoarthritis that results in a deformity. Any portion of the joint, bone and cartilage that are damaged is removed and a prosthetic replacement that is made from special plastic and metal is put in. This makes it much easier to move the arm and with proper therapy, strength and function can also be restored. Of course recovery for any type of operation can take a few months for complete relief and functionality to return.In order to have the best recovery after shoulder surgery, it is important that you are under the care of a physical therapist. The exercises that your therapists prescribe you with will help you to strengthen your joint and regain your lost range of motion and provide additional pain management. They will monitor you while you perform the exercises and make sure that you are not over extending yourself or causing any damage while you are learning how to use your limb properly. Follow your treatment plan as ordered so you can regain the full use of your shoulder without any pain.