Hand, Wrist & Shoulder Injuries & Conditions
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a professional athlete, chances are you have had an injury to your shoulder, hand, wrist or another part of your arm. At the Memorial Sports Medicine Center, our highly skilled orthopedic experts offer exceptional care to help you return to your favorite activities.
With years of experience and advanced specialty training, we diagnose and treat a variety of upper body injuries and conditions.
Shoulder Injuries and Conditions
Dislocated shoulder
As the most mobile joint, the shoulder can turn in several directions. But that mobility can put it at a higher risk of a partial or complete dislocation. A dislocated shoulder means that the top of the upper arm bone (humerus) has been forced partially or completely out of the shoulder socket.
Shoulder dislocation can result from sports injuries, traffic accidents or falls, especially if you land on your shoulder or outstretched arm.
Frozen shoulder
The shoulder joint is where three bones meet: the collarbone, upper arm bone and shoulder blade. They are joined together with connective tissue known as the shoulder capsule. When the shoulder capsule develops inflammation due to an injury or another cause, the shoulder joint becomes stiff, tight and painful.
Rotator cuff tear
The rotator cuff contains four muscles that work together as tendons (tissues that connect muscles to bones) to cover the head of the humerus, connecting it to the shoulder blade. The rotator cuff helps lift and rotate your arm.
Injuries and repetitive movements are the most common causes of a rotator cuff tear, which is a tear in one of the rotator cuff tendons. You may have a partial or complete rotator cuff tear.
Shoulder impingement syndrome
Also called swimmer’s shoulder, shoulder impingement syndrome is pain caused by a tendon rubbing against the shoulder blade. The condition typically occurs in athletes and active people who make repeated overhead motions, such as those in swimming, baseball or racket sports.
Wrist and Hand Injuries and Conditions
Hand and wrist pain
Injuries, conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome or overuse due to repetitive movement can cause hand and wrist pain.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that affects a major nerve that controls feeling and movement in the hand. The condition occurs when the nerve is compressed as it passes through the wrist.
Repetitive hand and wrist motions can increase the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. If left untreated, the condition can cause permanent nerve damage, so see your doctor if you have pain, numbness or tingling in the hand.
Elbow Injuries and Conditions
Baseball or golfer’s elbow
Also known as medial epicondylitis, baseball or golfer’s elbow is pain near the elbow on the inside of the forearm. Golfer’s elbow causes inflammation in the tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the inside of the elbow joint. It can result from repetitive movements such as bending, throwing or swinging motions.
Tennis elbow
Tennis elbow is pain near the elbow on the outside of the forearm. Also known as lateral epicondylitis, the condition affects the tendons that connect the forearm to the outside of the elbow.
Tennis elbow typically results from repetitive movements such as swinging a tennis racket.
Arm Injuries and Conditions
Biceps tendon tear
The biceps muscle is at the front of the upper arm and is connected to the shoulder and elbow with tendons called biceps tendons. These tendons can tear, either partially or completely, at the shoulder or the elbow as a result of a sudden injury or gradual overuse.
Fractures
Bones throughout the arm and shoulder – from the collarbone to the fingers – can break as a result of sports injuries, traffic accidents, falls and other causes. You may need casting or surgery, depending on the severity of the fracture.
Sprains and strains
A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament, and a strain is a stretched or torn muscle or tendon. Sprains and strains can result from overuse, falls, sudden twists or forceful impacts such as tackles or other contact during sports.
Diagnosis and Treatments for Arm and Shoulder Injuries
For your evaluation, you’ll meet with one of our doctors to discuss your symptoms and undergo a physical exam. You may need imaging tests so your doctor can diagnose the injury or condition and plan your treatment.
Our sports medicine doctors use advanced imaging technologies. We can do X-ray and mini-fluoroscopy (live X-ray, like a video) right in our office, so you don’t need to go to another department.
We provide specialized injections in our office to treat a variety of conditions, using ultrasound to guide the procedure for more precise results. Learn more about your treatment options at the Memorial Sports Medicine Center, including:
Contact Us
To schedule an appointment or learn more about sports medicine at Memorial, call 954-265-8326.
