The Oklahoma Shoulder Center specializes in patient-centered care for shoulder and elbow problems, which includes both surgical and non-surgical treatment options. For less severe shoulder and elbow injuries, patients may want to avoid or delay surgery due to other health problems, timing for rehabilitation, cost, or simply wanting to try less invasive treatment options. Some injuries are best treated with surgery due to the nature or severity of the injury; however, many can be addressed with non-operative treatment.
If you are experiencing shoulder or elbow pain or issues such as popping, catching, or instability, contact our office to schedule an evaluation. Dr. Nolan will evaluate your shoulder or elbow and take x-rays, if needed, to determine the range of treatment options available.
Non-surgical treatment options for shoulders or elbows may include the following.
Activity Modification
The most basic option for resolving minor shoulder or elbow issues is modifying behaviors or activities. For example, individuals with tennis elbow may simply need to avoid extending their wrist against resistance. For shoulder concerns that are aggravated by reaching overhead, modifications may include using the other arm instead or modifying daily tasks to avoid reaching overhead. Some individuals may experience shoulder issues as they compensate for back or hip issues, such as using the upper body to push themselves out of a seated position due to hip pain. If hip or back pain is related to excess weight or arthritis, then losing weight may improve the arthritis, reduce the hip/back pain, and thus put less pressure on the upper body for daily tasks. Splinting or casting to immobilize the joint may also be used in certain circumstances.
Physical or Occupational Therapy
Following an in-office evaluation, Dr. Nolan may recommend physical or occupational therapy as a treatment option for some patients. Your therapist will design a specific course of therapy based on your diagnosis, which may include activities to strengthen the overall function of your shoulder or elbow, increase range of motion, or improve stability. Therapists use a range of treatment options, including hot and cold packs, therapeutic ultrasound, massage, TENS unit for nerve stimulation, and more to reduce pain and inflammation. Some patients may use physical or occupational therapy more than once for the same issue, as the course of treatment may change over time. Even if you have tried physical therapy before, it may be recommended a second time with a different approach to resolve shoulder or elbow issues.
Anti-Inflammatory Medications or Injections
Joint inflammation may result in pain and may reduce functionality of that joint. There are a number of options for creams, patches, and oral medications to reduce pain related to inflammation.
Another option to reduce inflammation is a steroid injection, which can be done in the office. Most patients receive a combination of local anesthetic and a steroid in the injection, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Depending on the specific problem, some patients may need only one injection to reduce the inflammation and resolve the problem. Other patients may need an injection every few months to manage inflammation, especially if surgery is not an option. Injections may also be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as an injection to reduce inflammation before physical therapy.
Steroid injections can have side effects in some patients, such as causing hypo-pigmentation of the skin in patients with darker complexions or elevating blood sugar temporarily in diabetic patients. Steroid injections are still an option for most diabetic patients, but if blood sugar is not well-controlled, it’s important to address blood sugar concerns before a steroid injection.
If you are experiencing shoulder or elbow pain, contact our office today to schedule an appointment and discuss your treatment options.
By Oklahoma Shoulder Center PLLC
January 25, 2017
