Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.
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Your searched on: shoulder
Arthritis: Should I Have Shoulder Replacement Surgery?
Guides through decision to have shoulder replacement surgery. Discusses what happens in shoulder replacement and what to expect after surgery. Also covers other treatments that you might try to manage osteoarthritis. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.
Shoulder Problems and Injuries
Briefly discusses common causes of shoulder injuries and problems from sports, hobbies, or work-related issues, including sudden injuries and those caused by overuse. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Shoulder
Discusses test (also called MRI scan) that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of the shoulder. Covers why it is done, such as checking for unexplained shoulder pain or torn tendons. Discusses results.
Shoulder Separation
What is a shoulder separation? A shoulder separation is the partial or complete separation of two parts of the shoulder. It occurs when the outer end of the collarbone (clavicle) separates from the end (acromion) of the shoulder blade because of torn ligaments. This injury occurs most often from a blow to the top of the...
Frozen Shoulder
What is frozen shoulder? Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is stiffness, pain, and limited range of movement in your shoulder. The tissues around the joint stiffen, scar tissue forms, and shoulder movements become hard to do and painful. The condition usually comes on slowly. And then it goes away slowly over the...
Shoulder Replacement Surgery
Covers shoulder surgery to replace the ends of bones in a damaged joint. Includes what to expect after surgery, continued recovery, and living with a shoulder replacement. Looks at why it is done, how well it works, and the risks of surgery.
Shoulder SLAP Tear
What is a shoulder SLAP tear? A SLAP tear is a specific kind of injury to your shoulder. To help make your shoulder more stable, there is a ring of firm tissue, called the labrum, around your shoulder socket. The labrum (say "LAY-brum") helps keep your arm bone in the shoulder socket. SLAP stands for "superior labrum...
Shoulder and Neck Massage
A shoulder and neck massage can help you relax, reduce muscle tension, and reduce stress. You will need a friend to exchange massages. Use these steps to give your friend a shoulder and neck massage. Have your friend sit straight but comfortably in a chair. Place your hands on your friend's shoulders. Knead the two...
Shoulder Bursitis and Tendon Injury: Preventing Pain
Bursitis or a tendon injury (tendinopathy) in the shoulder can cause pain on the outside or front of the upper arm. Common symptoms include pain, pinching, and stiffness when you raise your arm. These symptoms are often brought on by doing repeated overhead movements. Pain from bursitis or a tendon injury can keep you...
Subacromial Smoothing and Acromioplasty for Rotator Cuff Disorders
Surgery may be used to treat a rotator cuff disorder if the injury is very bad or if nonsurgical treatment has not improved shoulder strength and movement enough. Subacromial smoothing involves shaving bone or removing growths on the upper point of the shoulder blade ( acromion ). It removes damaged tendon and bursa...
Debridement for Rotator Cuff Disorders
Debridement involves removing loose fragments of tendon, thickened bursa, and other debris from around the shoulder joint. By clearing damaged tissue from the region of the shoulder joint, it helps the doctor to see the extent of the injury and determine whether you need more surgery. Debridement may be done in...
Rotator Cuff Disorders
What are rotator cuff disorders? The rotator cuff is a group of tough, flexible fibers (tendons) and muscles in the shoulder. Rotator cuff disorders include: Irritation or damage to the tendons (tendinopathy, sometimes called tendinitis). Inflammation or irritation of a bursa ( bursitis). In the shoulder, a bursa is a...
Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery
Surgery may be used to treat a torn rotator cuff if the injury is very severe or if nonsurgical treatment has not improved shoulder strength and movement sufficiently. Surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff tendon usually involves: Removing loose fragments of tendon, bursa, and other debris from the space in the shoulder...
Rotator Cuff Problems: Should I Have Surgery?
Guides you through the decision to have surgery for rotator cuff disorders. Lists risks and benefits of surgery. Talks about other treatment. Explains rehabilitation for rotator cuff surgery. Includes interactive tool to help you decide.
Selenium Sulfide
(se lee' nee um) Brand Name(s): Exsel®¶, Head and Shoulders® Intensive Treatment Dandruff Shampoo, Selsun®, Selsun Blue®; also available generically Selenium sulfide, an anti-infective agent, relieves itching and flaking of the scalp and removes...
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
What is complex regional pain syndrome? Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a term used to describe a group of painful conditions. Examples of earlier names for these conditions include reflex sympathetic dystrophy, causalgia, and Sudeck's atrophy. Pain is the main symptom of CRPS. Most people have severe pain in...
Extremity X-Ray
Describes extremity X-rays, what they are, and why they are done. Provides tips on how to prepare. Also covers risks. Explains normal and abnormal results, as well as what can affect accuracy of tests.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis
Covers narrowing of spinal canal in the neck. Looks at symptoms like pain or numbness in neck, shoulders, arms, hands, or legs caused by squeezing of nerves and cord. Discusses treatment with medicine, exercise, physical therapy, and surgery.
Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Covers symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica, which include muscle pain and stiffness in the neck and shoulders. Covers how this condition is treated.
Bone Spur
Discusses bone spur, a bony growth formed on normal bone. Includes info on common sites for bone spurs like the heel and shoulder. Covers causes, symptoms, and how they are diagnosed. Discusses treatment with medicines or surgery.
Rotator Cuff Problems: Exercises You Can Do at Home
Provides overview and step-by-step instructions for starting stretches and strength-building exercises for rotator cuff problems. Includes checking with doctor or physical therapist before doing any exercises.
Joint Replacement: Realistic Expectations
It is important to have realistic expectations of joint replacement surgery. Replacement joints are not "miracle" joints. They will not restore a joint to the function it had before the arthritis began. Pain relief is the most dependable outcome of joint replacement. When the pain is relieved, you also may get some...
Exercises After Breast Cancer Surgery
Provides an overview and step-by-step instructions and photos for doing exercises after breast cancer surgery.
Bones, Joints, and Muscles
Has info on finger, hand, and wrist problems as well as shoulder injuries. Also has info on osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia with links to low back pain exercises and info on tennis elbow surgery.
Scrapes
Briefly discusses types of scrapes and how they heal. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.
Arm Problems, Noninjury
Briefly discusses problems like swelling or arm pain caused by overuse or health conditions such as arthritis. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.
Neck Exercises
Provides step-by-step instructions and photos for exercises to strengthen the neck and help relieve pain.
First Aid for Chemical Burns
Note: If a chemical has been swallowed that may be a poison or may cause burning in the throat and esophagus, call your local Poison Control Center or the National Poison Control Hotline (1-800-222-1222) immediately for information on treatment. When you call the Poison Control Center, have the chemical container with...
Animal and Human Bites
Briefly discusses what to do for animal or human bites. Covers bites by adults and kids, dogs and cats, and wild animals. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.
Improving Sleep When You Have Chronic Pain
If you have chronic pain, such as with fibromyalgia or complex regional pain syndrome, you may have a hard time sleeping or you may wake up feeling tired and unrefreshed. Some experts believe poor sleep can make pain worse. Getting a good night's sleep may help. Here are some things to try. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and...
Back Problems: Proper Lifting
Explains basic rules to protect your back when lifting. Includes image of proper lifting technique and tips for thinking ahead before you lift.
Back Problems and Injuries
Briefly discusses causes of back problems or injuries, including common activities, sudden injuries, overuse, and health conditions that may cause problems. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.
Cut That Removes All Layers of Skin
Cuts may slice off several layers of skin. As long as some of the layers of skin are still in place, new skin will form in the bottom of the wound and along the wound edges. The wound will heal from the bottom up. When a cut or scrape removes all of the layers of skin (a full-thickness avulsion injury), fat and muscle...
Cuts: When Stitches Are Needed
It is important to determine if your wound needs to be closed by a doctor. Your risk of infection increases the longer the wound remains open. Most wounds that require closure should be stitched, stapled, or closed with skin adhesives (also called liquid stitches) within 6 to 8 hours after the injury. Some wounds that...
Care for a Skin Wound
Skin wounds, including animal or human bites, need thorough cleaning to reduce the risk of infection and scarring and to promote healing. You may be able to do this yourself for minor wounds. You'll have to stop any bleeding, clean the wound, and perhaps bandage the wound. Stopping the bleeding Put on medical gloves, if...
Arm Injuries
Briefly discusses common causes of arm injuries from sports, hobbies, and work-related issues, including sudden injuries and those caused by overuse. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.
Cuts
Briefly discusses how cuts may occur and types of cuts. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.
Puncture Wounds: Stitches, Staples, and Skin Adhesives
Puncture wounds are less likely than cuts to be stitched, stapled, or have a skin adhesive applied because: Puncture wounds tend to be smaller than cuts and usually do not heal better or scar less when stitched. Puncture wounds tend to be deeper, narrower, and harder to clean than cuts. Sealing bacteria into a wound...
Puncture Wounds
Briefly discusses types of puncture wounds and the risk of infection. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.