A rotator cuff-deficient shoulder is among the most painful body disorders.
“In a normal shoulder, the ball and socket joint moves smoothly due to the presence of muscles and tendons that attach to the bones,” said Dr. Jeff Zhao, an orthopedic surgeon affiliated withTexasRegionalMedicalCenteratSunnyvale. “Because the ball is larger than the socket, the surrounding muscles and tendons are needed to keep the shoulder stable and to maintain a generous range of motion.”
When some of these tendons tear, the joint can become unstable, he said. If the tear is not corrected in a timely fashion, the muscles attached to the tendons deteriorate, losing their normal elasticity; as a consequence, they may not be repairable.
However, when the torn tendon is repaired soon after the injury, normal shoulder function can be restored.
“When the tendon tear is still repairable and shoulder arthritis is not present, it is desirable to make the repair through arthroscopic surgery,” he said. “This avoids injury of the deltoid muscle.”
Zhao will discuss this procedure and other types shoulder problems and treatments at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 23, atSunnyvaleMedicalPlaza,341 Wheatfield Dr., next to the hospital. There’s no charge to attend, but reservations are required and may be made by calling 877-554-TRMC (8762).
Managing Shoulder Pain is the first of several summer seminars and screenings offered at TRMC. Other seminars include Weight Loss Surgery at 6:30 p.m. July 12 with Dr. Bassam Zakhour, Minimally Invasive Thyroid Surgery at 10 a.m. July 21 with Dr. Brent Metts, Foot Pain at 10 a.m. July 28 with Dr. William Arrington II. Pre-colonoscopy screenings will be 2-4 p.m. Aug. 7 with Dr. Kurt Lange and Ruben Sandoval and 3-5 p.m. Aug. 23 with Drs. German Oliver and Fayez Seif.
Zhao, whose medical practice is Dallas Orthopedic & Shoulder Institute inMesquite, said arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive joint procedure that usually provides excellent outcomes in patients 65 years of age or less. Arthroscopic rotator repair surgery usually takes about two hours, and patients generally go home the same day. Physical therapy is required after the surgery.
Patients who have arthroscopic rotator repairs experience pain relief, joint stability and improved motion, Zhao said. Most patients are able to return to regular activities in three to six months.
