Tendon Tear Treatment

Bicep tendon tear at the shoulder happens because of overuse or an abrupt injury. The tendon may tear entirely or partially depending on the injury. Most people live out their lives with a bicep tendon tear without getting a surgery. However, the tear does cause a person to lose some mobility and strength in their shoulder.

The loss is not big enough to make any difference in your day-to-day activities. But, you may need a surgery if you want to regain strength and full mobility in your shoulder. Bicep tendon tear recovery can be a long process. However, you can always return to your daily activities.

Thomas & Bigler Knee and Shoulder Institute, led by board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven C. Thomas and Dr. Gregory T. Bigler, provides orthopedic surgery to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, while also serving areas such as greater Pahrump, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu, and Mesquite, NV.

Symptoms of Biceps Tendon Tear

These are a few common symptoms associated with the injury:

• Tenderness or pain in the elbow or shoulder
• Bicep cramps when used strenuously
• Bruising down to the elbow from the upper arm
• Sharp and sudden pain in the upper arm
• Weakness in the elbow and shoulder
• Difficulty turning the arm
• Audible snap or pop in the shoulder

Torn tendons can lose the ability to keep bicep muscles tight. A dent near the shoulder and a bulge in the upper arm may appear.

Overview of the Treatment

A majority of people are able to function with tendon tears in their biceps after getting simple, non-surgical treatments. However, if symptoms don’t alleviate, they may require other invasive treatments to recover strength and mobility in the shoulder.

Non-Surgical Option

Over time, the pain from biceps tendon tear goes away for most people. There are several things people can do to reduce this time:

• Rest: You should avoid overhead activities and heavy lifting that may increase swelling. Your doctor may recommend wearing a sling as well to shorten the recovery period.
• Ice: Swelling can be controlled by applying ice packs several times a day for 20 minutes. Do not apply the pack directly to your skin.

• Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medications: Motrin and Advil are standout for reducing pain and swelling.
• Physical Therapy: Strengthening and flexibility exercises help in restoring movement.

Surgical Options

You may not require surgical treatments for healing your biceps tendon tear. Surgery is generally required by people who need complete recovery of strength or develop muscle cramping. There are several new and advanced procedures for repairing the tendon with minimally invasive incisions.

The procedures, in general, consist of re-anchoring the injured tendon to the bone. Your options will be discussed in detail with you by your orthopedic surgeon.

The surgeon may put your shoulder in a sling after the surgery to immobilize it. They will also start physical therapy soon after. You can improve your range of motion with flexibility and strengthening exercises. Recovery may be slow in the beginning. But, you will soon regain complete movement.

Orthopedic surgeons Dr. Thomas and Dr. Bigler receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada as well as greater Pahrump, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu, and Mesquite, NV for orthopedic surgery.

Contact Board Certified Surgeons Dr. Bigler or Dr. Thomas at the Knee and Shoulder Institute in Las Vegas, NV to Schedule an Appointment:

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. Contact the office today click here.

Serving patients from and around greater Las Vegas, Lake Havasu, Bullhead City, Mesquite, Pahrump, Nevada

Shoulder Arthroscopy Treatment

Shoulder blade fractures are relatively uncommon injuries resulting in swelling and pain in the shoulder area. These fractures are usually caused by blunt trauma or high energy injuries, such as car accidents and hard falls. The injury is usually treated in a nonsurgical way. However, depending on the severity, your physician may recommend surgical intervention.

Shoulder blade fractures can often result in severe injuries to the chest, lungs, and internal organs. It’s paramount for this reason to attain medical attention when you think you may have a fractured shoulder.

Thomas & Bigler Knee and Shoulder Institute, led by board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven C. Thomas and Dr. Gregory T. Bigler, provides orthopedic surgery to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, while also serving areas such as greater Pahrump, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu, and Mesquite, NV.

Understanding Shoulder Fractures

Shoulder blade fractures are common in car accidents, falls from height, and other high-energy blunt force impact. Shoulder blade fractures are usually accompanied by trauma to the lungs, chest, and other internal organs. This makes it important to consult with an orthopedic as soon as possible. Shoulder fractures are not common and represent just 1% of broken bones. They usually occur in men aged 25 to 45.

Common Symptoms of Shoulder Blade Fractures

Shoulder blade fractures have several common symptoms. These include:

•  Extreme pain during arm movement
• Swelling in the shoulder blade
• Shoulder bruising
• Scrapes around the shoulder area

You should attain immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:

• Decreased sensation
• Shortness of breath
• Abdominal pain

Diagnosing Shoulder Blade Fracture

Your orthopedic surgeon will check the posture and position of your shoulder. They will also look at your visible symptoms and any other additional damage. The physician may ask for certain imaging tests of the chest and shoulder to determine the severity of the injury. This includes CT Scans, MRI, and x-rays.

• Computed Tomography (CT) scans provide detailed images of the organs, bones, and soft tissues
• X-rays provide images of bone and other dense structures
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the shoulder may be required for diagnosing shoulder socket fractures

Nonsurgical Treatment Options

You should stop moving your arm immediately after getting injured. Apply ice packs to reduce discomfort and swelling. You should also consider wearing a sling to immobilize your arm and hold the shoulder in place.

Your physician may ask you to move your shoulder after the first one week to prevent elbow and shoulder stiffness. The sling will not be needed as the pain reduces. You should continue performing stretching exercises until full motion returns in the shoulder area. This can take anywhere from 6 months to a year.

Surgical Options

Surgery may be required if the shoulder blade fracture is extensive or severe and is unable to heal on its own. Bone fragments in the shoulder blade may need to be repositioned first during the surgical procedure. They will be aligned normally and held in place with special screws on metal plates.

Orthopedic surgeons Dr. Thomas and Dr. Bigler receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada as well as greater Pahrump, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu, and Mesquite, NV for orthopedic surgery.

Contact Board Certified Surgeons Dr. Bigler or Dr. Thomas at the Knee and Shoulder Institute in Las Vegas, NV to Schedule an Appointment:

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. Contact the office today click here.

Serving patients from and around greater Las Vegas, Lake Havasu, Bullhead City, Mesquite, Pahrump, Nevada

Shoulder Arthritis Treatment

More than 50 million people in the country are affected by arthritis. The shoulder in the human body is one of the most sensitive areas. Pain and inflammation are major symptoms of arthritis in the area. There are several treatment options available even though there is no definite cure for arthritis for reducing pain and stiffness.

Thomas & Bigler Knee and Shoulder Institute, led by board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven C. Thomas and Dr. Gregory T. Bigler, provides orthopedic surgery to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, while also serving areas such as greater Pahrump, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu, and Mesquite, NV.

Types of Shoulder Arthritis

Shoulder arthritis is of varying types. Each comes with its own option for treatment:

• Osteoarthritis: This is a condition in which the smooth outer covering of the bone is destroyed. The cartilage wears away and the space between the bones is reduced. This causes the bones to rub against each other.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: This affects almost all joints in the body. RA usually affects the joints on one side and causes the synovium lining to swell and cause stiffness and pain. RA is an autoimmune condition, which means the body’s immune cells make the joints weaker.
• Posttraumatic Arthritis: This type of osteoarthritis comes after an injury to the shoulder.
• Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy: This is a long-lasting rotator cuff tendon tear. Friction is created between the acromion and the humerus. Intense weakness and pain can be created by the friction which limits arm movement.
• Avascular Necrosis: Interrupted blood supply to the humerus can result in this condition. Bone cells can die without ample blood supply causing the shoulder joint to break down. AVN may occur because of heavy alcohol consumption, steroid use, shoulder fracture, and sickle cell disease.

Types of Treatment

Shoulder arthritis can be treated through surgical and nonsurgical options.

Nonsurgical Options

Your orthopedic surgeon will first run all nonsurgical treatment options by you before suggesting surgical options. Nonsurgical options include:

• Rest
• Icing
• Physical therapy
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
• Moist heat

Surgical Treatment Procedure

Your physician will recommend surgical treatment if your shoulder arthritis doesn’t improve. The following options may be recommended for you depending on the extent and severity of your condition:

• Arthroscopy: This is generally suggested for mild glenohumeral arthritis. Small incisions are made to insert a tiny camera into the shoulder joint. This is to help the surgeon debride or clean out the inside of the shoulder joint. It helps in providing pain relief.
• Shoulder joint replacement (arthroplasty): Shoulder replacement goes a long way in treating advanced glenohumeral arthritis. This is where prosthetics are used to replace damaged shoulder parts. Hemiarthroplasty, total shoulder arthroplasty, and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty are a few options.
• Resection arthroplasty: This is the most used procedure for treating arthritis of the acromioclavicular joint. Small portion of the bone will be removed from the end of the collarbone to leave some space for the scar tissue.

The appropriate procedure will be determined by the physician. Orthopedic surgeons Dr. Thomas and Dr. Bigler receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada as well as greater Pahrump, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu, and Mesquite, NV for orthopedic surgery.

Contact Board Certified Surgeons Dr. Bigler or Dr. Thomas at the Knee and Shoulder Institute in Las Vegas, NV to Schedule an Appointment:

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. Contact the office today click here.

Serving patients from and around greater Las Vegas, Lake Havasu, Bullhead City, Mesquite, Pahrump, Nevada

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Treatment

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) of the shoulder is a type of autoimmune disease which causes your body to start attacking healthy cells. This type of arthritis focuses specifically on cells in the joints as if they were an intruder or disease. This causes the cartilage or tissues in the shoulder to get destroyed, which results in rubbing bones.

RA causes immense pain and swelling in the shoulder area that only worsens over time. There is no known cure for RA as of now. However, there are several treatment options that can help you stay active by managing pain.

Thomas & Bigler Knee and Shoulder Institute, led by board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven C. Thomas and Dr. Gregory T. Bigler, provides orthopedic surgery to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, while also serving areas such as greater Pahrump, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu, and Mesquite, NV.

Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Shoulder

RA causes the joint lining to start swelling when it affects the shoulder. This results in stiffness and pain. The shoulder has two joints, which can both get affected by arthritis. The first joint is the acromioclavicular (AC) joint, in which the collarbone meets the shoulder blade tip. The other is called the glenohumeral joint, where the upper arm bone head fits perfectly into the shoulder blade.

Your physician will first identify the affected joint to help you with the most appropriate and effective treatment. They will also identify the type of arthritis you have. There is no known cause for RA. Environmental factors and genetics are said to play a major role in this disease. While there is no cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis of the shoulder, there are several treatment options that can help you with your pain.

Nonsurgical Options for Pain Management

Your physician will initially employ nonsurgical methods to treat RA of the shoulder. These are a few common options:

• Rest
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications)
• Physical therapy
• Moist heat
• Corticosteroid injections for reducing pain and swelling
• Icing the shoulder
• Methotrexate and other disease modifying drugs
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and other biological treatments, like Orencia, Remicade, Enbrel, Humira, Rituxan, Actemra, Cimzia, Kineret, and Simponi.
• Dietary supplements to relive pain, such as chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine

Surgical Approach

Your physician may recommend getting a surgery if the above-mentioned nonsurgical methods don’t help in relieving pain and other symptoms. Surgical approach to treating RA of the shoulder involves the following:

• Tendon repair: Joint damage and inflammation can cause the tendons around the shoulder joint to rupture or loosen. The tendons would be repaired in this surgical procedure.
• Joint fusion: You may need to realign or stabilize a joint by surgically fusing it. This helps in relieving pain when joint replacement is no longer an option.
• Total joint replacement: Your surgeon, during a joint replacement surgery will remove the damaged parts of the joint and insert a plastic or metal prosthetic.

The surgical procedure chosen by your physician will depend on the severity and extent of your RA of the shoulder. Orthopedic surgeons Dr. Thomas and Dr. Bigler receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada as well as greater Pahrump, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu, and Mesquite, NV for orthopedic surgery.

Contact Board Certified Surgeons Dr. Bigler or Dr. Thomas at the Knee and Shoulder Institute in Las Vegas, NV to Schedule an Appointment:

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. Contact the office today click here.

Serving patients from and around greater Las Vegas, Lake Havasu, Bullhead City, Mesquite, Pahrump, Nevada

Shoulder Replacement

Reverse total shoulder replacement is an alternative treatment to usual shoulder replacement. The procedure was designed for people with large tears in their rotator cuff. Reverse total shoulder replacement works the same way as regular procedures. However, the joint in this is placed upside down. When the joint is attached in reverse, the arm is moved by different muscles. This is the primary reason for the alignment to work in a better way.

Different muscles are required to move the arm when the rotator cuff gets badly torn or is beyond repair. This can happen with the help of a reverse total shoulder replacement and not after a standard shoulder replacement.

Thomas & Bigler Knee and Shoulder Institute, led by board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven C. Thomas and Dr. Gregory T. Bigler, provides orthopedic surgery to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, while also serving areas such as greater Pahrump, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu, and Mesquite, NV.

Understanding Reverse Shoulder Replacement

Regular or conventional shoulder replacement makes use of devices that mimic the real anatomy of the human shoulder. A metal ball is fitted to the humerus (upper arm bone) and a plastic cup is attached to the glenoid (shoulder socket).

The metal ball and socket switch their places in a reverse total shoulder replacement. The plastic cup is attached on the humerus’ upper end while the metal ball is attached to the socket. This is why the surgery is called reverse total shoulder replacement.

The procedure works wonders for people with rotator cuff tear since it relies on using different muscles to move the arm. The rotator cuff in healthy shoulders helps power and position the arm during a wide range of motion. Patients with large tears in their rotator cuff lose movement of these muscles. Deltoid muscles are used in reverse total shoulder replacement instead of the rotator cuff for powering and positioning the arm.

Surgical Treatment

Reverse total shoulder replacement procedure usually takes anywhere from 2 to 3 hours. Your surgeon will make an incision at the top or front of the shoulder. They will remove the damaged fragments and position new bone components for restoring function to the shoulder. This includes a plastic cup and a metal ball.

The medical team upon completing the surgery will give you several antibiotic doses for reducing the risk of infection. They will also prescribe pain medication so that you don’t feel any discomfort. Most patients can get out of the bed the same day and eat solid food.

Recovering from a Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

Your arm would need to be kept in a sling once you leave the hospital. You should ensure that you don’t put any weight on your arm if you want it to heal quickly. You should allow it to rest completely.

The surgeon may ask you to perform a wide range of gentle exercises for increasing endurance and mobility. You may also have to undergo a formal physical therapy program for increasing strength in your shoulder and improving flexibility.

Orthopedic surgeons Dr. Thomas and Dr. Bigler receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada as well as greater Pahrump, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu, and Mesquite, NV for orthopedic surgery.

Contact Board Certified Surgeons Dr. Bigler or Dr. Thomas at the Knee and Shoulder Institute in Las Vegas, NV to Schedule an Appointment:

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. Contact the office today click here.

Serving patients from and around greater Las Vegas, Lake Havasu, Bullhead City, Mesquite, Pahrump, Nevada