Rotator Cuff Surgeon
Are you an athlete who participates in sports that involve throwing overhead? If so, you may be at risk of developing a rotator cuff injury. The rotator cuff can become injured from overuse, repetitive overhead motions and age, leading to a rotator cuff injury. Rotator cuff surgeon, Dr. Mark Getelman provides diagnosis and both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for patients in Los Angeles who have sustained a rotator cuff injury. Contact Dr. Getelman’s team today!
Rotator Cuff Specialist in Los Angeles, CA Treats Various Injuries Associated with the Shoulder and Rotator Cuff
Athletes of all ages love to play overhead sports, such as baseball, tennis, volleyball and swimming. Even though these athletic activities provide a wonderful form of exercise, the shoulder joint is placed under a great amount of stress. Repetitive overhead activity associated with athletics and work tasks place extremely high stress loads on the shoulder; especially the structures that help keep the joint stable. One of the most commonly damaged structures associated with overhead motions is the rotator cuff. Dr. Mark Getelman, rotator cuff specialist in Los Angeles, California, is fellowship trained with over 20 years’ experience in treating rotator cuff tears, tendonitis and throwing injuries. He often employs both non-surgical and surgical measures in order to return athletes and workers to the activities they enjoy.
What is the Rotator Cuff?
A group of four muscle-tendon units, known as the rotator cuff, surround the shoulder and allow the joint to rotate upward, outward and inward. The complex structure comes together as tendons to form a covering or “cuff” of tissue around the humeral head.
What are Common Rotator Cuff and Throwing Injuries?
The structures that help keep the shoulder stable, such as the rotator cuff, are placed at the highest risk of injury during overhead throwing. The rotator cuff may also become damaged from repetitive work activities or degeneration of the muscle-tendon unit during the natural aging process.
Rotator Cuff Tears
Rotator cuff tears are often caused by repetitive microtrauma of a tendon from overuse. As the affected tendon continues being worked during overhead throwing and repetitive movements, the damage worsens and can lead to a partial or complete tear. As one or more of the rotator cuff tendons tears, the tendon no longer fully attaches to the humeral head resulting in increased pain, weakness and impaired function. Most rotator cuff tears/throwing injuries occur in the supraspinatus tendon.
Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
When the rotator cuff muscle tendon unit becomes overworked, it becomes inflamed and leads to tendonitis. Rotator cuff tendonitis causes athletes and individuals who perform repetitive work activities to experience pain that radiates from the front of the shoulder joint to the side of the upper arm. The pain is often initially present during throwing, but with later stages may also be present at rest.
“Dr. Getelman was an excellent physician and has outstanding skills.”
– Anonymous Patient
How a Rotator Cuff Specialist in Los Angeles, CA Treats Tendonitis, Tears or Throwing Injuries
A rotator cuff specialist in Los Angeles, California, such as Dr. Getelman, begins the evaluation of rotator cuff injuries by performing a thorough physical examination and diagnostic tests. During the examination, the affected shoulder’s range of motion, stability and strength will be tested. A series of X-rays, an MRI scan or an ultrasound may also be performed in order to gain a detailed view of the entire shoulder joint and to examine any bone or soft tissue injuries.
Many patients will begin treatment with non-surgical measures such as rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, activity modifications and a detailed physical therapy program.
If shoulder pain and other symptoms continue after conservative measures, Dr. Getelman may recommend shoulder surgery. A minimally invasive, arthroscopic procedure is often extremely successful at repairing damaged rotator cuff tendons. Dr. Getelman specializes in various surgical rotator cuff repairs, including: