ORTHOPEDIC INFORMATION

Surgery may be required to resolve some shoulder problems; however, 90 percent of patients with shoulder pain will respond to simple treatment methods such as altering activities, rest, exercise, and medication. Certain types of shoulder problems, such as recurring dislocations and some rotator cuff tears, may not benefit from exercise. In these cases, surgery may be recommended fairly early.

Surgery can involve arthroscopy to remove scar tissue or repair torn tissues, or traditional, open procedures for larger reconstructions or shoulder replacement.

Neck pain may result from abnormalities in the soft tissues—the muscles, ligaments, and nerves—as well as in bones and disks of the spine. The most common causes of neck pain are soft-tissue abnormalities due to injury (a sprain) or prolonged wear and tear. In rare instances, infection or tumors may cause neck pain. In some people, neck problems may be the source of pain in the upper back, shoulders, or arms.

Your knee is made up of many important structures, any of which can be injured. The most common knee injuries include fractures around the knee, dislocation, and sprains and tears of soft tissues, like ligaments. In many cases, injuries involve more than one structure in the knee.

Pain and swelling are the most common signs of knee injury. In addition, your knee may catch or lock up. Many knee injuries cause instability — the feeling that your knee is giving way.

Common Diagnoses treated by Occupational Therapy/Hand Therapy Include the upper extremity: shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, and fingers: Fractures and dislocations, Arthritis /Degenerative Joint Disease, Tendon injuries (ruptures, repairs, strains, lacerations, Dupuytren’s (post surgery or Xiaflex injection), Mallet finger, Trigger finger, Burns, Amputations, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, Radial Nerve palsy, Tennis/Golfer’s Elbow, DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis, Bursitis, Shoulder Tendonitis, Rotator Cuff treatment, both post surgical and conservative