Traumatic shoulder and elbow injuries are both complex and numerous. If you’ve suffered an injury to one of these joints, then you know just how difficult it can be to complete even minor day-to-day tasks. For more minor injuries, the problem can often be resolved by resting the affected arm and giving it time to heal.

However, millions of Americans suffer from injuries and joint conditions that can lead to more severe problems if not treated properly. These patients require treatment at a facility such as MidAmerica Orthopaedics, which specializes in healing common shoulder and elbow problems. Take a look at highly treatable but common sources of shoulder and elbow trauma that patients experience today: 

Rotator Cuff Injuries 

Rotator cuff tears are very common, particularly in people who repeatedly perform overhead motions, whether playing basketball or performing tasks at construction sites. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons in the shoulder joint that keeps the upper arm bone (the humerus) in place in the shoulder socket. Millions of Americans experience rotator cuff problems each year, making it painful and often impossible to lift and rotate their arm. When one or more of the tendons becomes detached from the humerus, it can result in either a partial or complete rotator cuff tear.  

Possible symptoms of a rotator cuff tear range from difficulty raising your arm and shoulder weakness to shoulder pain at night when the arm is at rest. One of the benefits of seeking help at MidAmerica is that state-of-the-art diagnostics tools are available that will inform your physician about the extent of the rotator cuff tear. Arthroscopic surgery may be recommended for severe injuries, but there are numerous possible non-surgical treatments as well, including using a sling, medication and physical therapy (PT).  

Shoulder Dislocations 

If your shoulder joint appears deformed or out of place, the joint may be dislocated and will likely need medical attention to be set back in place. The shoulder is the most frequently dislocated joint in the human body. Dislocations affect people of all ages and can be caused by anything from a fall on the playground to a blow to the shoulder. Common symptoms include bruising and/or swelling, as well as intense pain in the shoulder.

If your shoulder has been dislocated first try icing and stabilizing the area to keep it from moving. MidAmerica’s walk-in clinic is a great place to seek help because you’ll have quick access to an orthopaedic physician – no appointment necessary – who can use gentle maneuvers to put your shoulder bones back in place. Patients are sometimes back to their routine in a day or two, but in some cases, several weeks of immobilization followed by rehab is necessary for a full recovery.

Elbow and Shoulder Fractures 

Shoulder and elbow fractures are also common – and in most cases are treated successfully without surgery. The fracture can impact any of the three bones in the shoulder: the scapula (shoulder blade), clavicle (collarbone) or humerus (upper arm bone). An elbow fracture typically occurs at the tip of the elbow as a result of a blow, fall or another type of traumatic injury. 

Either a shoulder or elbow fracture will require immediate care to get a proper diagnosis, heal and prevent permanent damage to the bone or surrounding soft tissues. A broken bone in either joint can also injure muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves in the surrounding area. In rare cases, a severe fracture of the shoulder necessitates shoulder replacement surgery – for instance, among older patients with osteoporosis. 

Torn Ligaments 

In the elbow, ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears often stem from untreated overuse injuries. In the shoulder, rotator cuff tears commonly affect the supraspinatus tendon, tearing the tendon away from the bone – just one example of the many shoulder ligament injuries. It can take up to six weeks to recover from a minor tear to either a shoulder or elbow ligament. Severe tears may take longer and require surgery for the patient to get back to their normal daily activities.

See a Specialist at MidAmerica’s Northern Illinois Walk-in Clinic or by Appointment 

The orthopaedic surgeons at MidAmerica’s Total Joint Clinic are well-versed in the treatment of traumatic injuries to both the shoulder and elbow. They can discuss the different treatment options available to you and help you decide which one suits your particular situation best. 

Give us a call to start your path towards treatment and recovery at (708) 237-7200, or request an appointment online. MidAmerica Orthopaedics has two locations in Illinois, one in Palos Hills and one in Mokena, that serve patients from Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.