Your shoulder joint is a ball-and-socket that allows for a full range of motion in your arms and upper body. That also means that there’s a lot in your shoulder that can go wrong if you get injured. Whether you experience a shoulder dislocation or other type of shoulder injury, the team at Rapid City Orthopedics, under the leadership of Dr. Joseph L. Humpherys, is here to help.
At Rapid City Orthopedics, located in Rapid City, South Dakota, we provide care and treatment to new and existing patients with shoulder injuries and shoulder pain at our state-of-the-art office. Here’s what we want our patients to know about shoulder injuries.
Pressures on your shoulder during motion and the wear-and-tear of daily life may result in shoulder injuries at any age. Degenerative conditions, like arthritis, can also damage your shoulder joint. Finally, sports, like tennis, can cause shoulder injuries, especially if you compete for an extended time.
Without the right treatment after a shoulder injury, you risk long-term shoulder instability, pain, and loss of range of motion.
Shoulder dislocations are more common than you might think. In this type of shoulder injury, the ball of the shoulder joint separates from the socket. You know right away when you dislocate your shoulder!
Your rotator cuff located in your shoulder can also tear under pressure. If you have bursitis in your shoulder, the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joint become inflamed, resulting in pain and loss of motion.
The bones and tendons of your shoulder joint can also become damaged or broken due to repetitive use or trauma. If you have a broken bone in your shoulder, or tendinitis symptoms centered on your shoulder joint, contact Dr. Humpherys for effective diagnosis and treatment.
The treatment for a shoulder injury depends on its location, type, and severity. Dr. Humpherys uses conservative treatment options, like ice therapy, whenever possible. Physical therapy often improves shoulder joint issues, and anti-inflammatory pain medications and targeted exercises and stretches may also play a role in your treatment plan.
Injections are another option. Steroid injections can control pain and inflammation. Dr. Humpherys uses platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to kickstart your body’s natural healing abilities. He also offers bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) injections.
If your injury needs more intervention to reduce long-term risks of reinjury, know that Dr. Humpherys is fellowship-trained in shoulder surgeries. He performs procedures, including arthroscopic techniques, to repair torn rotator cuffs and more.
If you have a shoulder injury, contact Dr. Humpherys at Rapid City Orthopedics. Schedule your initial consultation appointment online or over the phone now.
