Manny Pacquiao & His Rotator Cuff Tear
Some have questioned if Pacquiao even had a rotator cuff tear during the Saturday night bout. If so, how could he have fought (even as little as he did :-)), The truth is that people with smaller tears or tears that occur through attrition (occurring slowly over time...
Meniscal Tears: What, Where, Why & When (Video)
As I previously discussed, meniscal tears are common causes of knee pain. Expectedly, most patients don't always understand what they are, how they occur and the best ways to diagnose and treat them. Below, I've included a video in which I try (:-)) to explain all of...
Achilles Tendon Rupture Symptoms
Achilles tendon rupture symptoms are often very similar from patient to patient. As you may recall from an earlier post, the Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in your body. It is located at the back of your leg and connects your calf muscles to your heel bone...
Cause?…Or Coincidence?
Those who shop and purchase small-sized clothing, live longer. Not those that shop - which with its modest exercise would seem to be responsible for any existing health benefit - but those who actually buy smaller clothing. At first, this doesn't necessarily make...
Tennis Elbow Symptoms: What Are They?
Tennis elbow symptoms are a very common cause of doctor's office visits. In fact, tennis elbow is the number one most common elbow problem. I previously discussed the anatomy and cause of tennis elbow in a prior post, but let's briefly review here. Tennis elbow is...
Too Much of a Good Thing…
He looked like any other 12 year old. Well, except for the way he was holding his right elbow...and his obvious pain. As I walked into the examining room and introduced myself, the tension was palpable. I had been here before. His mom was sitting in the corner...
Patellar Dislocation – Diagnosis & Treatment
A patellar dislocation is a violent injury of the knee. It describes when the knee cap (patella) comes out of the joint completely. The patella almost always comes out towards the outer side of the knee. Most frequently a patellar dislocation occurs during an...
Frozen Shoulder – What Is It? (Video)
Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, is one of the most frequently seen shoulder problems. Unfortunately the frequency seems to be increasing. Those with frozen shoulder, usually have significant pain and restricted motion. Fortunately, the symptoms...
That’s Ok
Mr. Jones (obviously not his real name) recently came in with his wife to discuss treatment options for his arthritic shoulder. I hadn't seen him since last winter. We used the initial time catching up on how he had spent the previous year (traveling and visiting...
Impingement Syndrome – Definition & Anatomy
You have pain on the side of your shoulder. It tends to hurt more with overhead activities. As far as you can recall, there was no traumatic injury that brought it on. If this sounds like you, then there is a good chance you have impingement syndrome. It is even...
The Doctor’s Visit: What’s it all about?
I recently took my younger son to a doctor's visit. The look of fear and concern in his eyes was the same look I occasionally see in my patient's eyes during their doctor's visit. Granted my son is barely nine years old, but a doctors visit can be scary to anyone, at...
When is Rotator Cuff Surgery Recommended?
Degenerative rotator cuff tears are common. When do they require surgery? When Is Rotator Cuff Surgery Recommended? For more information, you can read this panel discussion that discussed this very question. In it, you can see my viewpoint as well as...
Torn Labrum Shoulder Surgery (Video)
Torn labrum shoulder surgery can be very successful when used to treat symptomatic labral tears. Labral tears not causing symptoms do not require surgery. Therefore the key to treatment, and your shoulder specialist's primary job, is to not only figure out if you...
Labral Tear Treatment in the Shoulder
Labral tear treatment isn't necessarily difficult to institute if the diagnosis is known. The hard part is diagnosing a labral tear and determining if it is the cause of your symptoms. How is that done? First let's clear up one common misconception: MRIs are not...
Torn ACL Recovery: What You Need To Know
Torn ACL recovery involves two stages. First is the initial recovery following your injury. Everyone, no matter their ultimate treatment, must get through this stage. The second stage is determined by the definitive treatment, either nonsurgical or surgical....
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tears
In previous posts, I've discussed what an anterior cruciate ligament tear is, what causes one, the symptoms, how they are diagnosed, what anterior cruciate ligament surgery entails and what the recovery from this injury and surgery is like. I hope that this has helped...
Causes Of Your Torn Rotator Cuff
The cause of your torn rotator cuff can vary from person to person. This is important because the cause of the tear can impact the recommended treatment, it's degree of urgency and its ultimate prognosis. You can read more about this in a prior post. Causes of Your...
Bankart Lesion – Definition & Causes (Video)
In a previous post, I discussed what labral tears of the shoulder are and what common symptoms they cause. A Bankart lesion is a particular type of labral tear of the shoulder. It has some unique characteristics. Let's take a look. When the labrum gets injured, it...
Shoulder Instability Treatment
Shoulder instability treatment is based on the type of instability, which structures are injured, the age of the injured person, their activity level and their goals. There are three structures that stabilize the shoulder joint: the bones (humerus and glenoid), the...
Rotator Cuff Tear Surgery (Video)
Rotator Cuff Tear Surgery If you're young, active, you sustained a traumatic rotator cuff tear, or you simply have a rotator cuff tear that has not responded to nonoperative treatment to your satisfaction, then unfortunately, you will likely need rotator cuff tear...