Severe, unremitting pain in the shoulder can affect young and old alike. Young, active patients often feel that shoulder pain stems from overuse such as seen in Karen Meakins, local squash champion and international competitor. Current exercise regimens usually emphasize strengthening the deltoid muscles, but the rotator cuff is largely ignored. If the pain is a chronic problem, with no history of a single traumatic event, the patient will usually respond to strengthening therapy. Persistent symptoms may require imaging studies such as an MRI and occasionally arthroscopic procedure to diagnose and repair the problem via mini incisions and surgery via a fiberoptic camera. Occasinally SLAP or labral tears can be seen that also require repair in the vigorous athlete or younger patients. However, arthroscopic repair can lead to rapid recovery as seen in Ms. Meakins 4th place international Masters squash championship in Europe when only 6 months after surgical repair !!
Suffering from partial or complete rotator cuff tear
Older patients often suffer from a bursitis stemming from a partial or complete rotator cuff tear. On occasion a primary osteoarthritis may be the cause and shoulder replacements are now as successful as hip or knee. Barbados patients have actually had this done on outpatient basis in Miami due the teams experience and anesthesia techniques. Despiter the cause, shoulder pain deserves evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon, particularly a hand and upper extremity specialist in order to make the clear diagnosis and speed recovery. Alejandro Badia, MD, FACS Miami Shoulder Surgeon Badia Hand to shoulder Center (305)227-4263 www.drbadia.com
