Consisting of a ball and socket joint, the shoulder suffers instability because of its diverse mobility.
This instability means that patients experience a number of injuries and issues, including tears, dislocation and bursitis.
Find a Qualified Shoulder Specialist
Dr Jens Buelow has an interest in sports shoulder injuries – he specialises in arthroscopic and reconstructive shoulder surgery, as well as degenerative and trauma-related shoulder conditions.
Shoulder Injuries and Procedures
Below are some of the more common shoulder injuries and procedures that Dr Buelow treats on a regular basis. Please click through to each page to find out more about the injury and potential treatments available.
Shoulder Arthroscopy
If you are experiencing a persistent shoulder injury, Dr Buelow may perform a shoulder arthroscopy to assess, diagnose and treat the issue.
During a shoulder arthroscopy, a thin fibre-optic telescope (arthroscope) is passed into the shoulder joint, giving Dr Buelow a better insight into your shoulder condition.
Once Dr Buelow has the arthroscope in your shoulder to better visualise the joint, he can perform treatment on a number of shoulder conditions, such as removal of inflamed joint membranes, treatment of severe arthritis, repair of labral tears and a bursectormy.
Shoulder Impingement
Impingement is a very common shoulder issue experienced by patients.
Impingement occurs when repeated rubbing of the rotator cuff tendons leads to the patient feeling pain in the area, making it difficult for the patient to elevate their arm.
If Dr Buelow diagnoses your pain as minor impingement or rotator cuff tendinitis, no surgery is usually required. Instead, patients are prescribed rest, physical therapy and medication.
In more serious cases of impingement, surgical treatment under general anaesthetic may be required.
Rotator Cuff Tears
A rotator cuff injury, such as a rotator cuff tear, is a more progressed instance of impingement syndrome. With more severe rotator cuff injury, the patient may experience severe pain and weakness in the arm.
If the injury progresses to a rotator cuff tear, the only way to heal it is with surgery.
Some patients may choose not to repair a cuff tear, but much rather treat the problem with exercises and injections to relieve the pain. Those patients should consider that If a rotator cuff tear is not surgically repaired it usually increases in size over time. This does cause more pain , weakness or stiffness . If left untreated a tear over a longer period of time it may not be repairable anymore.
Frozen Shoulder
As the name suggests, patients with a frozen shoulder feel pain in their shoulder, accompanied by stiffness, making it difficult to move the shoulder in any direction.
However, the cause of frozen shoulder isn’t known and unfortunately, there is no absolute cure available.
Dr Buelow generally recommends patients with frozen shoulder use gentle stretching exercises in conjunction with an injection of an anti-inflammatory and local anaesthetic into the joint to reduce the severity of the pain experienced.
While the condition can be frustrating and painful, patients should remember that in the majority of cases, frozen shoulder should resolve itself on its own without surgical intervention.
Shoulder Stabilisation
As aforementioned, the shoulder can be particularly unstable, especially after the patient has experienced an acute injury or dislocation.
Stabilisation can be achieved through arthroscopic stabilisation surgery, where the labrum (rubbery tissue attached to the rim of the shoulder socket) can be repaired.
During arthroscopic stabilisation surgery, the torn tissue is functionally repaired with less scarring compared to open procedures.
Book in with Dr Buelow Today
Whether you’re suffering from a sporting injury, you have a frozen shoulder or an injured rotator cuff, it is important to find a shoulder specialist in Perth who can properly diagnose and treat your condition.
Dr Jens Buelow sees patients at his office within Perth Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Centre in West Perth, where all your shoulder injury concerns can be discussed.
Don’t put off your health any longer – contact Dr Jens Buelow’s office today on (08) 9212 4200 to book a consultation.