Orthopedic surgeons or orthopedists are the experts in bone, muscles and supporting structures of the body. Even if they specialize in a specific limb or body part, they are first and foremost knowledgeable of the entire musculoskeletal system. Hence, they are very much capable to treat common shoulder and arm injuries that occur from overuse, and from sports accidents. Today, orthopaedic surgeons have been a lot more accessible and affordable, so you don’t have to suffer from ill-healing and prolonged disability.
Only an orthopedist can give you expert advice to treat a specific muscle, tendon, ligament, joint, and bone injury. In fact, an orthopedic surgeon in Panama City FL will give you options from the most conservative to the most radical. Be it simple aches or fractures, when you seek advice earlier, there is a lesser chance you will need to undergo radical surgery.
Tendinitis or Tendonitis
Tendon injuries, though primarily used for tension and stretching, can occur due to repetitive injuries, misalignment of body parts, and overexertion. Tendonitis is the most severe of tendon injuries, short of ruptures, characterized by inflammation and cell degeneration. Rotator cuff muscle tendinitis affects muscles that facilitate lifting or overhead motion. People at risk are weightlifters, swimmers, and baseball and tennis players. Minor injuries may only need rest, ice, compression and supported elevation to heal. However, in the case of severe injury and tears, orthopedic surgeons may decide for a cortisone shot or surgery. Massage may be contraindicated depending on the injury. Sometimes bursitis, the inflammation of bursa around a joint, also occurs and it may need surgical removal of fluids.
Shoulder and Elbow Dislocation
Instead of muscles, shoulder and elbow injury may occur due to injured joints and ligaments. Because of this, joints are not adequately stabilized, so the arm bone may be pushed out of its socket. This can range from partial dislocation called subluxation to full-blown irreducible dislocations. An orthopedic surgeon in Panama City FL can decide whether splinting is adequate, or surgery is needed for repeat dislocations. Delaying treatment may cause irreversible contractures that will decrease the arm’s range of motion.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The carpal tunnel is a passage through the wrist containing nine flexor tendons and the median nerve. Over time, repeated injury and healing of the tendons and surrounding structures press on the median nerve, and cause tingling up to loss of sensation, and loss of innervation to several muscles in the hand. Sometimes, obesity, diabetes and benign tumours cause the incapacitating syndrome. In minor cases, splinting, rest and steroid injections may only be needed. However, in severe cases carpal tunnel release surgery may be indicated.
Broken Collarbone
Among children and active people like cheerleaders, collarbones can be broken due to a fall onto an outstretched arm, on the shoulder or directly on the clavicle. They show signs of pain, swelling and crackling sound upon shoulder motion. Orthopedists can treat broken collarbones conservatively with splinting, while complex fractures will necessitate surgery.
rthopedic Surgeon Panama City FL – For those seemingly trivial arm aches to considerable shoulder injuries, there’s a qualified orthopedic surgeon in Panama City FL to manage your conditions and prevent complications. For more information, visit Panhandle Orthopaedics online.
