When Pitching Gets Painful, a Shoulder Specialist Can Help

Major League Baseball pitchers can send a ball flying over home plate at speeds that surpass 100 mph. Therefore, it should not be surprising that these elite athletes sometimes find themselves in need of a shoulder specialist. There are a variety of injuries that can emerge from the repeated overexertion of the shoulder joints.

Rotator Cuff Injuries

Many people agree that the worst type of injury a pitcher can develop is a rotator cuff injury. The term "rotator cuff" refers to a series of four muscles that make up the large tendon that allows for arm movement at the shoulder. Injuries and symptoms vary depending on which particular muscle has been injured, but most rotator cuff injuries are tears.

Rotator cuff injuries happen to non-athletes as well. However, most people do not put their arm and shoulder socket through the amount of stress and exertion that a baseball pitcher does. A non-athlete with a minor tear can get back to feeling normal through a series of physical therapy sessions and medicine. The professional baseball pitcher does not have this option unless he quits the game. This is because once a tear has occurred, it will not heal on its own. If he continues the pitching motions that caused the original injury, the tear will only become bigger, and the pain more severe.

In this serious situation, a shoulder specialist will most likely need to conduct surgery to repair the torn muscle. The worse the tear gets, the more invasive and serious the surgery will have to be. Therefore, it is best to get help as soon as the problem is recognized. Do not try to shrug it off and keep playing.

Labral Tears

Another part of the shoulder that can tear from overexertion is the labrum. Labrums exist in both our shoulder and hip sockets. It is a layer of cartilage that lines the socket to give the ligaments something to attach to. Too many fastballs can cause this tissue to tear or even separate from the joint. As with other injuries, physical therapy would cure most people's ailments, but surgery is usually needed for baseball pitchers who aren't ready for retirement just yet.

Arterial Injuries

One type of baseball injury making headlines today is injury of the axillary artery. This artery is a vital component of the circulatory system that just happens to run through the shoulder. Dillon Gee, a pitcher for the New York Mets, underwent surgery to repair a damaged axillary artery. Gee's artery damage was caused by a blood clot that had developed in the artery. However, more common shoulder injuries can lead to arterial injuries because of the strain or trauma that occurs in that area right next to the blood vessel.

Broken Spirits

Any of these injuries could mean the beginning of the end of a pitcher's career. However, if you have had the misfortune of suffering one of these injuries, seeing the shoulder specialist should be more about restoring your health than restoring your career.

Regardless if you are a professional athelete, if you are in need of a shoulder specialist Houston, look no further than  http://www.warnockmd.com/. Visit today and schedule your consultation.

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The Work of a Shoulder Specialist To Get You Healthy

Medicine is an ever-expanding field of science. Even within the specialty of orthopedic surgery, there are many different subspecialties. One of these is the shoulder specialist. This surgeon focuses on issues which require surgery for this particular joint, and modern techniques being developed to treat this unique variety of problems.

In order to specialize in an orthopedic field, a surgeon needs to complete some extra education beyond their orthopedic training:

- An extra year of training within a shoulder and elbow fellowship
- An extra year of training within a sports medicine fellowship
- Independent expertise within the field of shoulder surgery

These fellowships must be recognized by the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons organization, which focus on joint replacement and reconstruction as well as arthroscopic surgery. Or they must be recognized by the American Orthopedic Society for Sport Medicine, which focus solely on arthroscopic surgery.

Who Should See an Orthopedic Surgeon for Shoulder Problems?

Anyone who is continuously experiencing stiffness, pain, or inability to use the full range of motion may be a candidate for surgery. It's important to see a surgeon as soon as you realize the problem because waiting can exacerbate the issue. Some common problems a shoulder specialist treats include:

Instability - The joint was forced out of place. Typically your range of motion will be affected. For instance, if you have pain while raising your arm, you may be experiencing instability.

Impingement - A common sports injury that occurs when the cartilage wears away and the ligaments are weakened, allowing the blade to rub against the muscle. Impingement is typically caused by repetitive motion.

Rotator Cuff Injury - These muscles and tendons allow the joint to move in a 360-degree motion. When they are injured, the muscles pull away from each other and inhibit this 360-degree movement.

Dislocation - This injury typically occurs when the victim suffers a fall or sharp blow directly to the shoulder. You'll usually hear a "pop" followed by intense pain. Dislocation will cause intense discomfort until the joint is put back in place. While you may be able to fully recover with plenty of rest and relaxation, your doctor may refer you to see a shoulder specialist if you continue experiencing problems.

Fracture - A fracture needs to be seen immediately. You'll typically have a lot of pain coupled with swelling around the joint.

Separation - Slightly different from dislocation since the shoulder doesn't actually pop out of the socket, separation indicates that it has begun to move away from the muscle. You'll usually experience tenderness and swelling, but raising both arms helps to alleviate the pain.

When You See the Surgeon

At your initial visit, there are several helpful items you should bring:

- Copies of previous x-rays, MRI scans, or CT scans related to your injury, along with the radiologist report
- Your current prescription medications or over-the-counter medication you're taking
- Copies of operative reports or clinic notes from previous surgery or treatment
- Recent lab work results (if you're prone to infection)

It's also a good idea to bring a list of questions that you'd like to ask your shoulder specialist.

A shoulder specialist in Houston TX  can help if you are dealing with pain. Take a look at:  http://www.warnockmd.com/.

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