Dr. Matthew Binkley, M.D., joined Buffalo Rehab Group for the “2022 YMCA Wellness Series” in March of 2022 to discuss shoulder injuries, treatment options, and how you know when it’s time to address that nagging pain you might be having.
Shoulder injuries are fairly common – in fact, they are one of the most commonly injured joints in the body.
While a lot of shoulder injuries are a result of athletics such as pitching or swimming, many people injure their shoulders doing simple tasks such as household chores or yard work. Regardless of how you’ve obtained your shoulder injury, they can be incredibly painful.
Types of Shoulder Injuries:
There are multiple types of shoulder injuries, below is a list of the most common:
- Rotator Cuff Injuries (Partial thickness tear or full thickness tear)
- Degenerative Tear
- Acute Tear
- Shoulder Instability
- Shoulder Dislocation
- Frozen Shoulder
- Fractures
When to Address Shoulder Pain
It is never too early to address shoulder pain. If you injure your shoulder and experience immediate pain, swelling, or numbness, you should seek relief and recommendations from a doctor right away.
When it comes to shoulder pain, early intervention makes many injuries highly treatable.
Dr. Binkley says patients often address their shoulder pain and discomfort when it involves a disruption in their sleep, trouble performing overhead activities, or when they find that they’re having difficulty reaching far from their body.
If you are experiencing any of the issues above as a result of shoulder pain, it’s time to seek relief and reach out to UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine.
Treating Shoulder Injuries
Treatment options for shoulder injuries fall into two categories, non-operative and operative, which we’ve outlined below.
Non- Operative Treatment Options:
- Activity Modification (This means that you should change what activities you are doing and how are you doing them if they are aggravating your shoulder)
- Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (Ibuprofen, Aspirin, etc.)
- Injections: Corticosteroids
- Physical Therapy
Operative Treatment Options:
- Surgery (If you have tried all non-operatives options listed above and are unable to sleep to the
point where the pain affects your everyday activities and overall quality of life, it might be time
to consider surgery)
Seek Relief from Shoulder Pain
You can rewatch Dr. Matthew Binkley, M.D.s full online class here to learn about shoulder injuries and pain management. If you’re interested in learning more about Dr. Matthew Binkley, M.D., you can view his physician profile on our website.
If you want to seek treatment for a shoulder injury, UBMD Physicians’ Group makes it easy for you to find state-of-the-art care close to home. Contact us today.