Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy for Orthopedic Issues

Tag Archives: Las Vegas

Stem cell therapy is a new and upcoming form of medicine that makes use of healthy regenerative cells found in the body to support tissue regeneration. It can trigger the healing process to repair and replenish the cells that have been damaged and degenerated due to orthopedic problems such as joint injury and arthritis.

Stem cell therapy will support the body’s internal healing mechanism without involving any drugs and in some cases, will also mitigate or eliminate the need for surgery. Stem cells include many different types of cells, which have the ability to renew themselves, becoming virtually any cell in the body.

The new cells will restore damaged, degenerated or aging cells and successfully regenerate the body tissue. Most patients will notice improvement in about one to two months following completion of the stem cell treatment protocol. Patients experience less pain in the treated joints, and the ability to function will increase.

Patients in Las Vegas, Nevada and surrounding communities across the landscape have an opportunity to receive stem cell therapy for orthopedic issues from board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven Thomas and Dr. Gregory Bigler. Stem cells can treat patients in all age groups and activity levels without surgery.

Common Orthopedic Issues Treated with Stem Cells

Low back and neck pain due to disc degeneration
Knee, hip, and other joint osteoarthritis
Chronic partial Rotator Cuff tears
Tennis elbow
Plantar fasciitis
Partial quadriceps and patellar tendon tears
Partial muscle tears and joint instability
Cartilage (meniscal) tears in the knee
Muscle strains
Other chronic tendon and ligament problems

Benefits

Stem cell induced therapies to treat joints such as knees, shoulders and elbows have shown remarkable success in many patients. Some of the key benefits include:

Minimal Recovery Period

Rehabilitation period involved in stem cell therapy for orthopedic problems is minimal, and in many cases, non-existent. Many patients can simply return to their normal routine immediately after the procedure instead of dealing with painful and length rehabilitation process associated with an orthopedic surgery.

Tissue Restoration

Stem cell therapy does not provide only superficial pain relief. Stem cells actually restore degenerated tissue to create sustainable outcomes. Due to their regenerative capabilities, stem cells have the potential to reverse many diseases by replacing damaged tissue with new, healthy tissue.

Improving Mobility

Stem cell injections contain hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring compound in the body. This compound will lubricate the joints and tendons, resulting in pain relief from the injury or degeneration, while helping to restore mobility at the same time.

Quick and Safe Treatment

Stem cell therapy is usually performed in a single day, which cuts down the treatment time compared to traditional solutions. Stem cell therapy also avoids the risks that are typically associated with an orthopedic surgery, such as infection and blood clotting.

Numerous research studies have shown the safety and efficacy of stem cell therapy for orthopedic problems. Stellar and board certified orthopedic surgeons at the Thomas & Bigler Knee & Shoulder Institute receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada and nearby areas for stem cell therapy.

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.

Stem cell therapy offers as an innovative non-surgical alternative to address a variety of knee conditions and injuries. Knee conditions occurring due to degenerative knee arthritis or injuries to the knee bone, ligament, or tendon occurring due to sports or other physical activities can be treated with stem cell therapy.

Patients suffering from debilitating knee damage due to injury or arthritis usually have limited treatment options to manage the pain and restore knee function. Knee surgeries are invasive, while basic physical therapy may not address the root cause of the problem. This is where stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising new treatment option with very encouraging results.

Board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven Thomas and Dr. Gregory Bigler provide a combination of stem cell and PRP growth factor injection therapy to treat serious knee conditions. Dr. Thomas and Dr. Bigler provide stem cell therapy to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada and other cities and suburbs in this part of The Silver State.

Common Knee Conditions and Injuries

Stem cell therapy is now successfully used to repair meniscus tears, tendon and ligament tears, and knee injuries arising due to overuse, aging, or sports activities. Some of the key conditions of the knee that may be treated with stem cell injections include:

ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) Non-Retracted sprain or tear
MCL (Medial Cruciate Ligament) sprain or tear
PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament) sprain or tear
Rheumatoid arthritis of the Knees
Knee Tendonitis or Tendinopathy
Patellar Tendinosis or Tendonitis
Knee Osteoarthritis
Runner’s Knee aka Chondromalacia
Pes Anserine Bursitis
Patelofemoral syndrome ( PFS )
Iliotibial band syndrome ( ITBS )
Osgood-Schlatter Disease ( OSD )
Synovial plica syndrome & Medial plica syndrome
Knee Meniscus Injury & Tears
Bursitis of the Knees
Baker’s cysts
Enthesopathy

Stem Cell Therapy for ACL Tears

Non-retracted full or partial ACL tears can be repaired with a combination therapy involving enhanced stem cells and PRP. This treatment can heal partially torn anterior cruciate ligaments and complete non-retracted tears. Stem cell therapy will enable many patients to avoid surgical intervention to treat this condition.

With stem cell therapy, the patient will not be required to go through a prolonged downtime or a painful rehabilitation process that typically follows an ACL surgery. To treat complex or severe injuries, the orthopedic surgeon and their team will precisely target the injured ACL tear using advanced image guidance. This helps ensure optimal delivery of stem cells for a successful minimally invasive treatment.

How do Stem Cells Work?

While a number of stem cell types are present in the body, only a few cell types are directly beneficial for musculoskeletal applications such as knee injuries. For articular cartilage regeneration, mesenchymal stem cell markers (MSCs) offer the highest potential.

MSC cells are separated from a select group of cell rich tissues, and then expanded in a stem cell lab to increase their differentiation potential. Fantastic, committed, and board certified orthopedic surgeons at the Thomas & Bigler Knee & Shoulder Institute receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada and nearby areas for stem cell therapy.

Stem cell therapy has emerged as a highly innovative, non-surgical alternative to treat degenerated joints affected by arthritis. Stem cells are present within the patient’s own body, and perform the function of promoting the healing process of the degenerated tissue.

Stem cell therapy can avoid the need for surgery in some cases, and provide healing benefits in nearly every case of damaged tissue due to arthritis. Board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven Thomas and Dr. Gregory Bigler provide stem cell therapy to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, and surrounding locations across the horizon.

Tissue Regeneration with Stem Cells

The human body is composed of billions of unique cells that build the organs such as the skin, muscles, joints, bone, tendons and ligaments. These cells go through a process of degeneration and regeneration each day. As the older cells disintegrate, new cells are born from stem cells. These stem cells have the unique ability to create various types of other cells.

In a situation where the tissue is damaged due to arthritis, the degenerative process will surpass the regenerative process, leading to weakness in the tissue structure, and making the joint painful and less functional. Although there are a variety of stem cells present in the body, the ones that are ideal for promoting musculoskeletal healing of the cartilage, bone, tendon and ligament are found in the bone marrow.

These mesenchymal stem cells, or MSCs, are vital to achieving successful outcomes for patients suffering from arthritis. Advanced stem cell protocols are now used to create higher concentrations of these critical cells, and utilize them to repair arthritic joints without invasive surgery.

Procedure

According to researchers, the marrow cavity in the body is the easiest place to harvest the stem cells, which are stored in the body for the purpose of repairing degenerated tissues. Therefore, the first step in the stem cell therapy will be to retrieve these stem cells from the back of the hip area or the iliac bone. The procedure of stem cell extraction is performed in-office, under the guided precision of ultrasound or x-ray.

The patient is made to lay face down as the surgeon numbs the skin and bone in the donor site. The surgeon will then insert a special needle into the bone to withdraw the marrow blood, which carries the stem cells. This harvesting procedure is usually well-tolerated by patients and is not painful like a bone marrow biopsy.

Once the bone marrow blood is collected, it is taken to a lab and centrifuged to separate concentrated and purified stem cells, while the other cells are removed. The surgeon will perform the entire process by hand to enable customized designing of the stem cell specimen for the particular arthritic condition.

At the same time, a preparation of the concentrated platelets is also draw for injecting into the injury site. This helps to release growth factors that will trigger the activity of the stem cells and support the healing process. Sagacious, wonderful, and board certified orthopedic surgeons at the Thomas & Bigler Knee & Shoulder Institute receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada, and nearby areas for stem cell therapy.

Stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising treatment for knee injuries. People who are suffering from an injured knee joint or having a degenerative joint due to osteoarthritis may make fabulous candidates for stem cell therapy.

Board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven Thomas and Dr. Gregory Bigler provide stem cell therapy for knee injuries to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, and other cities and neighborhoods around this magnificent city in America.

Advantages

Stem cell injection procedure is completely non-surgical and involves the use of the patient’s own stem cells to help the healing process of the injured or degenerated knee joints. The procedure can be completed in a single day and may serve as a viable alternative for patients who are facing the prospect of knee surgery or even knee joint replacement.

Unlike surgery, stem cell therapy involves minimal recovery, and patients are typically able to return to their normal routine quickly after the procedure. The painful and lengthy rehabilitation periods associated with knee surgery are avoided. The strength, mobility and range of motion of the knee joint is restored in a more natural manner.

Another benefit of stem cell therapy is that it minimizes the risks that are typically associated with a knee surgery, such as infection and blood clots. People who are not good candidates for surgery due to an underlying medical condition may still receive stem cell therapy with safe outcomes.

Advanced Techniques

Advanced techniques available in modern medicine enable the surgeon to withdraw the required amount of stem cells from the patient’s bone marrow, concentrate them through an efficient lab process, and then re-inject them precisely into the injured knee tissue employing advanced imaging guidance.

Imaging techniques such as Ultrasound and Fluoroscopy help the surgeon to ensure that the stem cells are delivered into the exact area of need. As the stem cells are introduced into the site, they help trigger the natural repair mechanism of degenerated and injured arthritic joints and injured tendons and ligaments. This reverses the natural breakdown process that may have occurred in the knee joint due to injury, overuse or aging.

Source of Stem Cells

The human body has a store of stem cells that are utilized for repairing injured and degenerated tissue when required. New medical techniques have made it simple to retrieve these cells for therapeutic purposes. The stem cells are present in reserve in the marrow cavity of the bones, which makes it convenient to harvest them from the back of the hip area or the iliac bone.

Procedure

Once the bone marrow blood is drawn, it will be sent through a centrifugal process in a lab to concentrate and purify the stem cells. The concentrated part will be employed to help heal the knee injury. The surgeon will usually complete the injection process by hand and customize it according to the specific nature of the knee injury or degeneration of tissue.

Concentrated platelets may also be injected into the injury site to release growth factors and activate the stem cells. Judicious and impressive board certified orthopedic surgeons at the Thomas & Bigler Knee & Shoulder Institute receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada, and nearby areas for stem cell therapy.

What is Instability and Intra-articular Joint Pathology? | Las Vegas Instability and intra-articular joint pathology may commonly occur in the elbow or shoulder. The condition should be treated early to prevent long-term damage and restore normal function and relief from pain.

Board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven Thomas and Dr. Gregory Bigler provide treatments for the elbow and shoulder instability to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, and surrounding locations.

Instability of the Elbow

The elbow may be injured in certain sports or other activities to the point of damage to its cartilage or ligaments. Ligament injuries to the elbow may occur due to twisting injury, a one-time strain, or from repetitive motions that cause cumulative injury. Instability can then lead to painful and abnormal function of the elbow.

Injuries to the elbow may also result in loose cartilage or combining of the cartilage and bone pieces that make the joint motion painful or unstable. Treatment will begin with establishing of a correct diagnosis and determining the cause of the condition. This will involve a physical exam, x-ray and MRIs, and in a few cases, an arthroscopic exam.

Once the correct diagnosis is affirmed, the treatment provider will recommend a customized treatment plan depending on the severity of the condition. This may range from something as simple as balancing and muscle strengthening exercises to invasive procedures such as surgical ligament repair or arthroscopic debridement, or both.

Instability of the Shoulder

Shoulder instability may occur when the head of the upper arm bone is forced out of the shoulder socket. Overuse or a sudden injury may lead to this occurrence. Once the shoulder dislocation has occurred, it will become vulnerable to repeat episodes. If the shoulder becomes loose and repeatedly slips out of place, it is known as chronic shoulder instability.

Shoulder Dislocation

Trauma or severe injury is usually the cause of an initial shoulder dislocation. Once the head of the humerus is dislocated, the socket bone and the ligaments in the front of the shoulder are often damaged. The cartilage rim around the edge of the glenoid may also tear. A severe first dislocation may lead to repeated dislocations, giving a feeling of instability.

Repetitive Strain

In some cases, the shoulder instability may never result in a dislocation. Such patients will have loose ligaments in their shoulders. This increased looseness is sometimes a part of their normal anatomy, but in some cases, it results from repetitive overhead motion. Certain sports activities require repetitive overhead motion, which can stretch out the shoulder ligaments. Some jobs may also involve repetitive overhead work.

Loose ligaments can make it difficult to maintain shoulder stability. A weakened shoulder is challenged due to repetitive or stressful activities, resulting in an unstable, painful shoulder. Board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Thomas and Dr. Bigler receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada, and nearby areas for elbow and shoulder instability treatments.

Multidirectional Instability

In exceptional cases, the shoulder may become unstable without a history of repetitive strain or injury. These patients have naturally loose ligaments throughout the body and may be “double jointed.”

What are the Symptoms of Tendonitis and where does it occur? | Las Vegas Tendonitis condition can quickly deteriorate if left untreated. Therefore, once the patient experiences any symptoms, they should consult with a medical professional. Board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven Thomas and Dr. Gregory Bigler provide treatments for tendonitis to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, and surrounding locations.

Symptoms

Tendonitis usually causes pain in the tissues surrounding a joint, particularly when the joint has been overused during play or work. In a few cases, the joint may feel weak, and the area may become warm, red and swollen. In rare cases, tendonitis may occur due to an infection, which can have symptoms such as rashes or fever.

Other symptoms will vary depending on which tendon has been affected:

Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

This is usually marked by dull, aching shoulder pain that is not limited to just one location. It typically radiates into the upper arm toward the chest. The pain may worsen at night and cause disturbance in sleep.

Tennis Elbow

The main symptom of this condition is pain in the outer side of the elbow. In a few cases, the pain may extend down to the forearm and wrist.

Golfer’s Elbow

This is primarily marked by pain in the inner side of the elbow.

Jumper’s Knee

Pain in this case will usually be felt below the kneecap, but in a few cases, may be felt above it.

De Quervain’s Disease

The patient will experience pain at the back of the wrist, near the base of the thumb.

Achilles Tendonitis

In this case, the pain will commonly occur at the back of the heel, or two to four inches above the heel.

Areas Affected by Tendonitis

Shoulder

Tendonitis in the shoulder often occurs in the form of rotator cuff tendonitis. This involves the tendon of the supraspinatus muscle, which is attached to the upper part of the humerus at the shoulder joint. Other tendons of the rotator cuff are less commonly affected.

People who are typically at risk include tennis players, baseball players, swimmers, carpenters, welders and painters. The shoulder pain will occur on the same side as the dominant hand of the patient.

Elbow

Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are two forms of tendonitis that occur in the elbow. Both are overuse injuries commonly occurring among athletes who play throwing and racquet sports. Tennis elbow causes pain on the outer side of the elbow joint. Golfer’s elbow causes pain on the inner side of the elbow.

Knee

Jumper’s knee is a common form of knee tendonitis, which is a common overuse injury among distance runners and basketball players.

Wrist

Wrist tendonitis often occurs in the form of de Quervain’s disease, a condition that causes pain in the back of the wrist at the base of the thumb.

Achilles Tendon

Achilles tendonitis is generally caused due to overuse, particularly in sports that involve running or repeated jumping. It may also be related to poorly fitting shoes or faulty running technique.

Board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Thomas and Dr. Bigler receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada, and nearby areas for tendonitis treatments.

Tendonitis Treatment | Las Vegas Orthopedic Surgeons The condition of tendonitis should be treated early in order to prevent additional damage. Early treatment will avoid more complex solutions such as surgical repair, and the patient will be able to quickly regain their flexibility and strength. Board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven Thomas and Dr. Gregory Bigler provide tendonitis treatments to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, and surrounding locations.

First Line of Treatment

The surgeon may first advise the patient to use ice packs over the painful area 15 to 20 minutes, three to four times a day. Ice should also be applied immediately after any activity that aggravates the pain. Ibuprofen, aspirin, or another anti-inflammatory drug may be prescribed for a few weeks to provide relief from pain and swelling.

The patient will be required to give rest to the affected area for a few days to a few weeks to enable the body to repair itself. For instance, a patient with a golfer’s elbow will typically need to rest the painful elbow for at least four weeks. Antibiotics may be prescribed if the tendonitis has occurred due to an infection.

Depending on the severity and location of tendonitis, the patient may require temporary bracing, splinting, or a sling. In any case, they will be advised to regularly and gently move the joint to keep it flexible and avoid a frozen joint. This is especially important for shoulder tendonitis.

Treatment for Serious Tendonitis

For more serious conditions of non-infectious tendonitis, the surgeon may inject a local anesthetic or a corticosteroid drug into the affected tendon. They may also refer the patient to a physical therapist for more focused, localized treatments. These may include friction massage, water therapy or deep heat treatments involving ultrasound to increase joint mobility.

The treatment provider will also help the patient through a rehabilitation program that will enable them to regain function, motion, and strength. The length of the program will vary according to the severity and type of tendonitis. For instance, tennis elbow and Achilles tendonitis may require several months of treatment.

Surgical repair may be required only in rare cases of tendonitis. If the patient’s condition does not improve or fails to respond to other types of treatment, or when significant tendon damage has occurred that is unlikely to improve with less invasive treatments, the treatment provider may recommend surgery.

Hot and Cold Therapy

In less serious cases of tendonitis, the treatment provider may recommend hot and cold therapy as a part of the treatment regimen. A cold compress can help mitigate the initial pain and swelling. Cold therapy is typically most useful when it is applied within the first 48 hours after injury or overuse, or when the swelling just begins to appear.

After the first 48 hours, or for cases of long term or chronic pain, dry or moist heat therapy, such as a warm bath, may be more effective than cold compresses. Board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Thomas and Dr. Bigler receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada, and other communities in the region for tendonitis treatments.

What Causes Tendonitis? | Las Vegas Orthopedic Surgeons Tendonitis is mostly an inflammation or irritation of the tendon. Tendons are thick, ropelike cords that attach the muscles to the bones. Tendons perform the role of a pulley to help muscles move a joint. Tendonitis typically affects the biceps, shoulders, hands, wrists, thumbs, and calves.

Board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven Thomas and Dr. Gregory Bigler provide safe, prove and effective treatments for various forms of tendonitis. Patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, and surrounding locations have an opportunity to receive these treatments from Dr. Thomas and Dr. Bigler.

Common Causes

Tendonitis is most commonly caused due to sports related injuries or repetitive movements. Sports activities typically involve repetition of a particular movement each time. Certain types of jobs of hobbies also involve repetitive motions, which places stress on the tendons needed to perform those activities. In a few cases, tendonitis may occur due to a sudden injury.

Therefore, when performing repetitive job related activities or play a sport that involves repetitive movements, it is especially important to use the proper techniques. Improper techniques can result in overload on the tendon, which may eventually lead to tendonitis. Appropriate physical exercises can also help to prevent the occurrence of tendonitis in people who engage in sports or jobs involving repetitive movements.

Other Causes

Tendonitis may also be caused in a few cases due to one or more of the following reasons:

Poor walking habits
Bad posture while sitting or standing
Some types of arthritis and related conditions
Conditions related to metabolism, such as diabetes
Stress on soft tissues from a poorly positioned or abnormal bone or joint, such as leg length differences or joint deformities
Side effects from certain types of antibiotics

Patients in Las Vegas, Nevada and nearby areas have an opportunity to receive cutting edge procedures for the treatment of tendonitis from board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Thomas and Dr. Bigler. They will carefully evaluate the causes behind the occurrence of the condition and then suggest a customized treatment approach.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for developing tendonitis include age, participating in certain types of sports, and working in particular jobs.

Age

The tendons will become stiffer as a person gets older, which will make them more vulnerable to injuries.

Occupations

If a person’s job involves one or more of the following attributes, they are more likely to be affected by tendonitis:

Repetitive motions
Awkward positions
Frequent overhead reaching
Vibration
Forceful exertion
Sports

Certain types of sports activities involving repetitive motions increase the risk of developing tendonitis, particularly when the technique is not optimal. This may occur with:

Tennis
Golf
Running
Baseball
Basketball
Bowling
Swimming
Riding a bicycle

In absence of timely treatment, tendonitis can increase the risk of tendon rupture, which is a more serious condition and may require surgical repair. If the condition remains untreated for several weeks or months, it may also cause tendinosis, which involves degenerative changes in the tendon, along with abnormal growth of new blood vessels.

What is Tendonitis? | Las Vegas Orthopedic Surgeons | Orthopedic Surgery Tendons are fibrous tissue bands that connect muscles to bones. When the tendon becomes irritated, inflamed or suffers tiny tears, the condition is known as tendonitis. Board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven Thomas and Dr. Gregory Bigler provider treatments for tendonitis to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, and surrounding locations.

Causes

The cause of tendonitis is usually hard to determine. But the condition typically occurs for one of the two reasons:

Overuse: The patient repeats a particular body motion too often.
Overload: The level of a specific physical activity, such as weight lifting, is increased too rapidly.

For unknown reasons, tendonitis is also common in diabetics, and in recent years, the use of certain antibiotics has been related to the occurrence of tendonitis. The condition occurs most commonly in the elbow, shoulder, knee, heel and wrist, although it may happen in any area of the body.

Shoulder Tendonitis

Rotator cuff tendonitis is the most common form of tendonitis in the shoulder. It involves the tendon of the muscle that attaches the upper part of the humerus at the shoulder joint. In most cases, this tendon is injured due to overuse, typically in a sport or an occupation that requires the arm to be repeatedly elevated.

Elbow Tendonitis

Two forms of elbow tendonitis that commonly occur as overuse injuries among athletes include:

Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)

This causes pain on the external part of the elbow joint. Nearly half of all adult athletes who play racquet sports are likely to be affected by this condition. It may also caused by any other activity that flexes and twists the wrist repeatedly.

Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow)

This causes pain on the inner side of the elbow. Despite its name, this type of injury is less common than tennis elbow. It typically occurs to individuals in occupations that involve repeated elbow movements, such as construction work. Sportspersons are less commonly affected by golfer’s elbow.

Knee Tendonitis

Jumper’s knee is the most common form of knee tendonitis. This will involve either the quadriceps tendon at the upper edge of the kneecap or the patellar tendon at the lower edge of the kneecap. Particularly in basketball players and distance runners, this is a common overuse injury.

Wrist Tendonitis

Tendonitis in the wrist commonly occurs in the form of de Quervain’s disease. This is a condition that causes pain in the back of the wrist at the thumb’s base. Although this disease typically occurs in people who engage in repetitive pinching or grasping motion with the thumb, it may sometimes occur during pregnancy for unknown reasons.

Achilles Tendonitis

This condition affects the Achilles tendon, which is the large tendon attached to the heel bone at the back of the foot. The condition usually results from overuse, particularly in sports that involve running or repeated jumping. It accounts for nearly 15 percent of all running injuries.

Poorly fitting shoes or faulty running technique may also sometimes cause Achilles tendonitis. Board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Thomas and Dr. Bigler receive patients for tendonitis from Las Vegas, Nevada, and other nearby cities and neighborhoods.

Scapula (Shoulder Blade) Fractures | Las Vegas Orthopedic Surgeon The scapula or shoulder blade is a bone that is protected by a surrounding complex web of muscles. In many cases, fractures of the shoulder blade can be treated without surgery. Blunt, high energy trauma injuries, such as those caused in a vehicle collision or falling from height may result in a shoulder blade fracture.

Scapular fractures are often accompanied by other fractures such as collarbone or ribs, or damage to the head, lungs or spinal cord. Board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven Thomas and Dr. Gregory Bigler provide treatments for scapular fractures to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada and surrounding communities.

Symptoms

A fracture of the shoulder blade will typically involve one or more parts of the scapula. In about half of the patients, the main scapular body may be fractured, while in about 25 percent of the patients the neck of the scapula may be fractured.

Common symptoms of a shoulder blade fracture include scrapes around the injured area, severe pain when moving the arm, and swelling around the back of the shoulder. Treatment should be sought at the earliest once the patient experiences the symptoms in order to minimize the damage.

Non-Surgical Treatment

A simple sling usually works as an effective non-surgical treatment for most fractures of the shoulder blade. The sling holds the shoulder in position while healing of the bone takes place. Within the first week, the surgeon may encourage the patient to gradually start moving the shoulder to mitigate the risk of shoulder and elbow stiffness.

As the pain condition improves, the sling will be removed. Passive stretching exercises will have to be continued until full shoulder motion is restored. This may take anywhere between six months to a year. The exercise regimen should be performed in accordance with the guidelines provided by the surgeon or the physical therapist.

Surgical Treatment

Surgery may be required in the following types of shoulder blade fractures:

Fractures of the glenoid articular surface where the bone has been displaced
Fractures of the scalpular neck with significant angulation
Fractures of the acromion process that causes impingement syndrome

During the surgical procedure, the surgeon will first reposition the bone fragments in their regular alignment. Then the fragments will be held together with attaching metal plates with special screws to the bone’s outer surface. Surgery will be followed by a period of rehabilitation to allow for safe and healthy restoration of the treated shoulder and its function.

Pain Management

Following a shoulder blade injury or for a brief post-surgical period, the surgeon may prescribe pain medications for short-term relief. Opioids, NSAIDs, and local anesthetics are available to help manage pain. The surgeon may prescribe a combination of these medications, while minimizing the need for opioids because they can be addictive.

Patients should know that overdose and dependency in case of opioids has become a serious public health issue in the US. They should use opioids strictly according to the directions of the prescribing surgeon. Once the pain starts improving, the use of opioids must be stopped. Board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Thomas and Dr. Bigler receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada and various nearby areas.

Contact Us

702.933.9393

9499 West Charleston, Suite 200
Las Vegas, NV 89117