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Dislocations and sprains and breaks, oh my! Summer is the time of year for more outdoor play and adventure, and unfortunately from an Orthopedic standpoint, more injuries! We see so many orthopedic mishaps this time of year, and are so happy to offer our patients an urgent care specifically to meet the community’s orthopedic needs: Orthopedic Urgent Care at OSSM is here to treat all of your water skiing, biking, or summer softball league injuries.

There are several types of injuries we see over and over throughout the summer season, and while we love helping our patients by treating them, prevention really is key. Here are some common summer injuries and ways to prevent them:

Sprains

Often it can be difficult to tell the difference between a strain and a more serious injury, so it is wise to get checked if you are suffering through these symptoms:

• Lasting pain
• Reduced function of the area (not being able to move the joint regularly)
• Swelling and/or bruising

A sprain is an injury of the ligaments: when a joint is overstretched or extended it can cause tearing (or just over stretching causing pain) of the ligaments. Often sprains can be treated with rest, ice, and elevation at home. Our orthopedic team at OSSM can wrap the sprain well with a bandage to provide the right amount of compression to reduce inflammation and protect the area as well. A more serious sprain may need more intervention, which is a good reason to get the area checked out early.

The causes of sprains can be endless: overuse, stepping off a curb wrong, twisting your ankle wake surfing, or catching yourself during a fall. The best way to prevent a sprain is by treating your body (specifically the musculoskeletal system) well every day. Before going up to bat for the first time in your summer softball league, warm up your muscles with some jogging and dynamic stretching. Wear shoes that fit and are appropriate for the activity and use the proper equipment for whatever activity you will be enjoying.

Dislocations

Joint dislocations are another common injury we see in the summer. All it takes is a force that moves the bones in the joint out of place, so there are many summer activities that dislocation is one small mishap away from ending in. Often a patient will come in knowing they have dislocated a joint, but if you are unsure these are common symptoms to look for:

• Pain, Swelling, and/or Bruising of the area
• Inability to move the joint
• Visually seeing the bones out of joint

With a dislocation, the doctor can guide the bone back in place in the clinic. Depending on the injury, recovery may be possible at home, or there may be more treatment involved to repair the area.

As with a sprain the best prevention for dislocations is a strong and healthy musculoskeletal system and using the proper protective equipment for whatever fun summer activity you are participating in.

The complex joint of the shoulder is active with just about every movement your body makes. Pain and injury of the shoulder can be debilitating, so prevention is key. Often our team of orthopedic surgeons see injuries that are preventable, including shoulders. Practicing these small habits and being aware of helpful tips can do a lot to help prevent shoulder injuries:

Train Your Muscles:

The stronger the muscles around the shoulder joint, the more protected it is. Many muscles surround the shoulder joint, with different points of origin. Training the shoulders in multiple forms and planes of movement can strengthen each muscle both individually and as a group.

The healthier and stronger the rest of the body is, the better for shoulder and overall injuries as well. Picking an exercise program that works best for your level of fitness and incorporating strength training consistently will ward off injury.

Exercise Right:

Exercise does not simply mean working out at the gym. Moving furniture, picking up kids, lifting items, or swinging a golf club are all examples of exercise. Warming up muscles before exercise can protect muscles and joints from injury. As mentioned, choosing the exercise plan that is right for you and your level of health is also important, along with eating healthily and taking care of your body in other ways.

Sleep Well:

Believe it or not, uncomfortable sleeping positions can contribute to shoulder pain and injury. Getting enough sleep will help your body heal and repair itself.  Using a good pillow and sleeping in a position that doesn’t cause pain can make a world of difference in shoulder injury prevention.

Don’t Ignore Pain:

Pain is your body talking to you. If you have consistent shoulder pain, don’t ignore it or push through. Rest your shoulder, and call us! Early detection is always better for diagnosing and treating injuries. Because the shoulder joint is so involved in almost all movement, continuing to use it injured can create a more extensive problem. Earlier detection means better outcomes. 

Work Safe:

Whether your job is sitting in an office or physical labor, there are ways to keep your shoulders injury free at work as well. If sitting in an office and working at a desk, make sure you have a supportive and comfortable chair. Using your computer in a neutral position allows your spine, neck, and shoulders stay healthy and pain free. Taking breaks to stretch and move your body will also help.

If your job is primarily physical work, use safe practices to prevent injury in the workplace. Following all other tips: getting adequate rest, training muscles and getting enough exercise will protect your shoulders as well.

If you are experiencing shoulder injury, call us right away and see one of our orthopedic shoulder specialists. We can quickly diagnose and treat any shoulder issue, and treatment plan for what is best for each patient. There are some ways you can treat shoulder injury at home, whether it is an injury that will resolve by itself or after surgery:

Rest:

When it comes to the body, rest is where some of the real activity happens! Rest (and sleep) give the body the opportunity to repair itself and is essential to the healing process.

Physical Therapy:

OSSM is unique in so many ways, one of which being the fact that we also have a Physical Therapy clinic (OPTI). Our team works closely with the OPTI Physical and Occupational therapists to make sure our patients receive the best possible care, have the best outcomes, and heal stronger than ever.

Pain Relief:

Our doctors and team in office or in our orthopedic urgent care can help you map out the best way to lower pain and inflammation. This includes ice and OTC pain relief and anti-inflammatories. We will make a custom plan based on the injury, pre-existing health conditions, and pain levels to get pain and inflammation under control.

Nursing a shoulder injury? Call to schedule with one of our shoulder orthopedic surgeons at (208)664-2175, or utilize our orthopedic urgent care:

OSSM Orthopedic Urgent Care

850 W. Ironwood Drive, Ste. 202

Coeur d’Alene, ID

Photo Credits:

Shoulder Repair Surgeries at OSSM

We often see patients with various shoulder injuries and pain at Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine (OSSM), and with our excellent team of surgeons we are able to help every single one. Shoulder pain can be debilitating, and affect every part of every day life. The shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the body, and being able to use the joint to full capacity is part of everyday life. Whether it is daily care tasks, driving, picking up kids, or simply enjoying the activities you love, shoulder pain and injury can prevent you from living the life you want to live.

Common Shoulder Surgeries:

Our team of shoulder surgeons (Dr. Roger Dunteman, Dr. William Sims, and Dr. Jonathan King) are uniquely trained to perform arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive technique that, through the use of a microscopic camera, allows the surgeon to repair damaged tissue in the joint without having to completely open up the area. Scarring is minimum, and the surgery has better recovery times and less pain afterward.

We treat any and all shoulder injuries. If a patient is experiencing pain or loss of function, our doctors will work with the patient to find the cause and make a treatment plan to get the patient back to a functioning shoulder. Common shoulder surgeries we perform are:

Total and Partial Shoulder Replacement:

Arthritis (whether osteo or rheumatoid) is a common reason for a total shoulder replacement. Other potential reasons a patient may need shoulder surgery are severe injury or fracture or osteonecrosis due to loss of blood supply.

With total shoulder repair at OSSM, one of our surgeon specialists will use the safe, effective advanced techniques we are known for to completely replace the shoulder joint. Getting back to everyday activity, including exercise, is possible with our techniques and recovery program (partnered with our physical therapy team at OPTI).

Rotator Cuff Repair:

Many people have heard the term “rotator cuff”, and for good reason: rotator cuff injury is a common shoulder problem we see and treat amongst our patients. The rotator cuff is muscle and tendon that runs outside of the shoulder joint. It surrounds the joint and attaches the scapula (shoulder blade) to the humerus (upper arm bone). The muscle group is large and essential to stability and mobility, so the pain associated with a rotator cuff tear can be severe.

Like other shoulder surgeries, our surgeon team utilizes minimally invasive techniques for rotator cuff repairs. Performing the procedure arthroscopically completely repairs the tear, reattaching tendon and muscle to bone, while lowering complications, post op pain, and recovery time. Patients can expect a pain-free full recovery with rotator cuff repair at OSSM.

Labral Repair:

Common symptoms that may be associated with a labral tear are limited range of motion in the shoulder, clicking and/or popping, frequent shoulder dislocation, and pain. The labrum is a piece of cartilage that lines the shoulder joint and reinforces the ball-and socket.

To repair a torn labrum, our shoulder surgeons use minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to reattach the labrum to the bone. Any instability and pain is fixed through a labral repair.

A SLAP (superior labrum anterior and posterior) tear involves an injury to the top (superior) part of the labrum, where the bicep muscle attaches to the labrum. The injury also involves the front and back (anterior and posterior) of the attachment point of the bicep. A SLAP repair is treated arthroscopically, although the exact point of repair on the anatomy is slightly different than other labral repairs. 

Why OSSM?

The shoulder joint is complex, and a shoulder injury needs a doctor who fully understands the joint and muscles and how they work together to repair it. Our team of fellowship trained orthopedic surgeons all have sub-specialties, allowing them to master the area they work on resulting in better patient outcomes.  Through our team of surgeons we cover every single area of the body, so no matter the injury we have a specialist to treat it. Our three shoulder specialists are Dr. Roger Dunteman, Dr. William Sims, and Dr. Jonathan King.

Our shoulder specialists spend many hours advancing the field and mastering new, safer, less invasive techniques. Dr. Dunteman has published several peer reviewed articles on shoulder instability, rotator cuff pathology and more, along with presenting his research to other professionals. He also spends time teaching other surgeons advanced techniques nationally. Dr. King has researched and trained to be able to perform shoulder reconstructions arthroscopically, such as minimally invasive rotator cuff tear repairs, fixing shoulder instability, and more. Dr. Sims has spent countless hours in the operating room perfecting minimally invasive techniques to improve patient outcomes as well.

Shoulder patients at OSSM can count on well researched techniques that result in less pain and better recovery. We also work side by side with our Physical Therapy clinic, OPTI, to make sure our patients are getting the care and help they need at home to fully bounce back after surgery. Excellent surgeons using minimally invasive technique combined with recovery in our state of the art physical therapy clinic amongst amazing physical and occupational therapists means our patient care goes above and beyond.

Shoulder pain stopping you from having a normal life? Call us today to schedule and appointment at (208) 664-2175.

As we continue to learn more about Covid-19 and its impact on our community, providers and staff, we will periodically update our office requirements.

Please take a moment to review the requirements as of May 16, 2021:

• Masks are required to be worn by staff, patients and visitors in our clinics. 
• Although the CDC has updated their recommendations on when vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask, this guidance is not yet intended for healthcare settings.
• Please do not come to your appointment if you are feeling ill or have a fever.

We will continue to monitor and follow the guidelines set forth by the official health organizations, including Panhandle Health, CDC, and OSHA as it relates to Covid-19.