Irving, TX Orthopedic Surgeon
Shoulder pain is a common condition that Dr. Kevin Kruse, board-certified orthopedic surgeon, treats in his practice. Shoulder pain is caused by many different things and affects all age groups. Understanding what causes shoulder pain, if orthopedic surgery is needed, and how it is treated are essential steps toward finding relief from this condition.
Irving Shoulder Specialist
Dr. Kevin Kruse has been practicing for over 25 years and has an excellent reputation as a highly-skilled shoulder surgeon. Dr. Kruse is the founder of the Texas Shoulder Institute, which provides comprehensive care for patients with shoulder problems. He is also an active member of numerous medical organizations, including:
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American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
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American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH)
Shoulder Conditions That Dr. Kruse Provides Treatment For
Slap Tears
A slap tear is an abrasion to the labrum, a cartilage ring that surrounds your shoulder joint. The labrum helps stabilize your shoulder joint and keeps it from dislocating.
When you have a Slap tear, the bony part of your upper arm bone (humerus) can move out of place or dislocate behind the shoulder blade (scapula). It causes pain and swelling in your biceps tendon and weakness in lifting and twisting motions involving your arms.
Slap tears are typically tended with physical therapy or steroid injections into the shoulder joint area.
Shoulder Dislocation
Shoulder dislocation is a common injury. It can occur following a fall or a direct blow to the shoulder. Shoulder dislocations are treated with an emergency room visit and physical therapy, but some people may need surgery if their tendon has been stretched too far during the dislocation.
If you have questions about treating your shoulder dislocation at home, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Kruse.
Frozen Shoulder
A frozen shoulder is a state that causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. It can also lead to loss of motion and strength.
The exact cause of a frozen shoulder isn’t known, but it appears to be linked with inflammation and discomfort. The condition most often occurs in middle-aged women diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory diseases such as lupus or psoriatic arthritis.
Arthritis of the Shoulder
Arthritis is a term that refers to any disorder of the joints in which there is pain and stiffness.
A rotator cuff is a set of muscles and tendons surrounding your shoulder joint. These muscles and tendons help you lift your arm up or out to the side (abduction). The four parts of this group include:
Rotator Cuff Tear
A rotator cuff tear is a tendon lesion connecting your shoulder muscles to your upper arm. It is caused by repetitive motions, such as throwing a baseball or tennis ball or lifting heavy objects.
A torn tendon results from wear and tear over time rather than one traumatic event such as falling on an outstretched hand during sports activities.
Various Procedures are Used to Repair and Reconstruct the Shoulder Joint
Shoulder Labrum Reconstruction
Surgery to repair the labrum is called shoulder labral reconstruction. The Labral tears are treated with arthroscopic surgery (keyhole surgery). An arthroscope is pressed into your shoulder joint through tiny incisions so that your doctor can see inside without making significant cuts in your skin. They then make minor cuts to insert instruments needed for removing damaged tissue from an injured area before stitching back together any torn areas found during examination using tiny sutures.
Reverse Shoulder Replacement
Reverse shoulder replacement is a procedure that can be used in patients who have a damaged shoulder joint and have already had a previous shoulder replacement. The process is similar to a traditional shoulder replacement. The ball and socket are reversed to be above the ball.
Total Shoulder Replacement
Total shoulder replacement is a strategy procedure in which the damaged ball and socket joint of the shoulder is replaced with an artificial ball and socket joint. The process involves removing the damaged parts of your shoulder and replacing them with metal and plastic components.
Shoulder Arthroscopy
Shoulder arthroscopy is a vital tool in shoulder surgery. It is a minimally invasive procedure that allows your doctor to examine the inside of your joint using an arthroscope – a tiny camera attached to a long, thin tube with a light and surgical tools attached at its tip. The camera sends images of what it sees onto a monitor, allowing you and your doctor to see inside the joint during the surgery.
Contact your Irving, TX Shoulder Specialist Today
Dr. Kevin Kruse is your best option if you are looking for an Irving, Texas shoulder specialist. With his specialty, he will be able to give you a diagnosis and treat shoulder injuries or conditions. He also provides a consultation to determine whether or not surgery is right for you.