Joint replacements have been a mainstay of joint restoration for many years. These artificial joints become more advanced and more effective with every passing year. Recent innovations in joint replacement technology have seen the introduction of the ‘smart implant.’ This new generation of artificial joints provides a continuous stream of feedback to your physician. The first smart knee was released by Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc and was called the Persona IQ Knee Implant. This example of the new technology represents an important leap forward for joint restoration patients.

What Is A Smart Implant, And How Does It Preserve Joint Health?

Our interconnected digital world has seen the introduction of numerous smart devices to help monitor our health. You can find apps that track your sleeping patterns, monitor your daily exercise, and even help you keep to a diet. However, these devices have experienced some limitations. None of them could accurately tell you what was happening within your body. This is a problem also experienced with joint replacements. Once the joint replacement has been put in place, it can be fairly difficult to accurately track what’s happening within your body. It can be especially difficult in areas where the replacement is embedded in bone.

All that changes with the introduction of the smart joint replacement. As with all knee replacements, the Persona IQ Knee Implant has a tibial stem that is inserted directly into the top of the shin bone. Unlike other knee replacements, the Persona IQ tibial implant is packed with sensors. These sensors monitor a variety of valuable points of information, including:

This information is made securely available to both the patient and their physician in the cloud. This is then compared to information gathered before the operation to see what improvements have occurred. This is the first time that sensors and remote monitoring have been made possible in an orthopedic replacement. This new type of joint replacement has been seeing significant success. Those patients who have been fitted with the device tend to have fewer complications and are able to gauge their recovery more successfully.

The most important use of the gathered information is ensuring the patient is on track to a full recovery. The metrics mentioned above are monitored closely as they heal. If there are any indications that the patient may not be progressing as expected, the physician will know. This allows them to schedule an appointment and adjust to the recovery process to ensure the patient gets the best results.

Speak To Your Orthopedic Specialist About Connected Health

Technology like this is indicative of a growing trend in medical care known as connected health. These devices will enable the physician to monitor various aspects of your health. The benefits of these new replacements don’t start after the surgery. During the insertion procedure, your physician will be able to use the sensors to ensure that the knee replacement is properly placed. Afterward, it allows the patient to be fully engaged with their recovery by providing meaningful information about their process.  

US Open - Novak Djokovic shoulder injury

US Open: Novak Djokovic shoulder injury during 2019 - Image Courtesy: The Times UK

Sports-related shoulder injuries are a lesser-known risk of sports which can sideline a player for an extended period of time. These types of injuries are very common in sports that apply stress to the shoulder. This is because there are several sports that require strength, speed, and endurance from the shoulder. Unfortunately, the shoulder joint is unstable due to its structure, which makes it more susceptible to injury in cases where repeated physical demand is placed on the joint. There are a variety of sports-related shoulder injuries that can occur, some of which are minor and others that are major. Minor shoulder injuries can include sprains, strains, bruising, bursitis, bone spurs, and muscular imbalances. Major shoulder injuries can include:

Dislocation

A shoulder dislocation occurs when the humerus “pops” out of the shoulder socket (scapula). The acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) composed of the clavicle and scapula can also be dislocated if the clavicle is separated. These injuries are commonly seen in football, or other sports that involve repetitive falls onto the shoulder.

Rotator Cuff Tears and Impingement

The rotator cuff is composed of several tendons that are responsible for the shoulder’s movement. Sports such as baseball, swimming, or tennis that require repetitive arms swings, especially those that are overhand, can eventually cause a rotator cuff to tear. Other sports such as volleyball, weightlifting, and rock climbing that cause stress to the rotator cuff can also cause tears.

In addition to tearing, the rotator cuff can also become impinged. This occurs when one or more of the tendons becomes injured and swells, which then causes the tendon to get pinched by the shoulder joint. Rotator cuff impingement reduces blood flow to the tendons and can result in more tendon damage that can eventually lead to tearing.

SLAP Tears

Superior Labral Antero-Posterior (SLAP) tears affect the labrum, which is the cartilage that lines the socket portion of the shoulder joint. SLAP tears are commonly associated with sports that involve throwing, heavy lifting, or tackling. Most SLAP tears develop slowly over time, however they can also be caused by a single, powerful impact. One key indicator of a SLAP tear is weakness and/or looseness felt in the shoulder joint.

Did You Know?

The shoulder joint is composed of various soft tissue structures such as ligaments, tendons, and muscles, all of which are responsible for movement. However, this construction limits joint stability, which is why shoulder injuries are common.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I have a sports-related shoulder injury?

You may have a sports-related shoulder injury if you experience one or more of the following symptoms:

  • pain
  • swelling
  • bruising
  • decreased range of motion
  • weakness
  • popping or clicking.

However, it is important to consult with your doctor to obtain an official diagnosis. To determine if you have a shoulder injury, schedule a consultation with Dearborn & Associates today.

How are shoulder injuries diagnosed at Dearborn & Associates?

At Dearborn & Associates, we begin the diagnosis process by first  obtaining a history of your symptoms and health over the past several years. We will ask you about your symptoms, as well as what activities have been affected by the pain.

Your doctor will then perform a physical exam of your shoulder and take x-rays and additional imaging such as a CT and/or MRI of the joint. X-rays can evaluate the bone structure, while a CT or an MRI may be performed to evaluate the soft tissues around the joint.

How are shoulder injuries treated at Dearborn & Associates?

At Dearborn & Associates, your individual treatment plan will depend on a number of factors, including the type and severity of your injury. Shoulder injuries may be treated using one or more of the following:

  • rest
  • strengthening exercises/physical therapy
  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
  • corticosteroid injections
  • glucosamine and chondroitin supplements
  • viscosupplementation therapy
  • platelet-rich plasma (PRP)

Severe shoulder injuries, as well as those that do not respond well to non-surgical treatments, may require shoulder surgery.

Schedule a consultation with Dearborn & Associates in Menlo Park today to see how we can help you with sports-related shoulder injuries!

Shoulder arthritis, more formally known as glenohumeral arthritis, is characterized by damaged cartilage surfaces within the ball and socket joint of the shoulder. The shoulder joint is both extremely mobile and complex. It is made up of various bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles that are responsible for its movement. Shoulder osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in between the bones wears down, causing the top of the humerus bone to grind against the glenoid (socket). This ultimately causes bone spurs to form within the joint, which further restricts fluid and comfortable movement. Eventually, movement becomes significantly decreased as a result of bone spurs.

Did You Know?

Shoulder osteoarthritis affects around 20% of the older population and is responsible for more than 120,000 shoulder replacement surgeries each year.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I have shoulder osteoarthritis?

If you have been experiencing shoulder pain, you may be wondering if you are affected by shoulder osteoarthritis. While only a shoulder specialist can accurately diagnose shoulder osteoarthritis, some signs that you may be affected include: 

  • pain that comes and goes, but that increases over time
  • increased pain with movement
  • pain during rest
  • pain at night that disturbs sleep
  • reduced range of motion
  • swelling and/or tenderness in the shoulder joint
  • crepitus (clicking or crunching sound) during movement
  • atrophy of shoulder muscles

To determine if you have shoulder osteoarthritis and to discuss your options, schedule a consultation with Dearborn & Associates today.

How is shoulder osteoarthritis diagnosed at Dearborn & Associates?

At Dearborn & Associates, we begin the diagnosis process by first obtaining a history of your symptoms and health over the past several years. We will ask you how pain has been progressing, as well as what activities have been affected by the pain. We will also ask you about any past or present shoulder conditions that may increase your risk of shoulder osteoarthritis.

Your doctor will then perform a physical exam of your shoulder and take x-rays of the joint to determine if joint irregularities, bone spurs, or bone erosion is present. In some cases, additional imaging may be required. For example, a CT scan may be performed to determine the extent of bone loss in the glenoid bone, while an MRI may be performed to evaluate the soft tissues around the joint.

How is shoulder osteoarthritis treated at Dearborn & Associates?

At Dearborn & Associates, your individual treatment plan will depend on a number of factors, including your current health and the severity of your case. Mild osteoarthritis is usually treated with rest, strengthening exercises, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. Moderate cases can be treated using one or more of the following:

  • corticosteroid injections
  • glucosamine and chondroitin supplements
  • viscosupplementation therapy
  • platelet-rich plasma (PRP)

Severe cases of shoulder osteoarthritis, as well as those that do not respond well to non-surgical treatments, may require shoulder replacement surgery. During shoulder replacement surgery, the damaged cartilage and joint components are removed and replaced with prosthetics that allow for proper movement. After surgery, the shoulder will be immobilized for about 6 weeks, then physical therapy will be used to rehabilitate the soft tissues. In most cases, recovery takes about 4-6 months.

Schedule a consultation with Dearborn & Associates in Menlo Park & Fremont, CA today to see how we can help you with shoulder osteoarthritis!

Person having pain in shoulder

Shoulder instability refers to a condition in which the soft tissue components of the shoulder joint have become stretched, torn, or detached, resulting in the regular subluxation or dislocation of the shoulder joint.

There are various causes of shoulder instability such as:

  • dislocations that damage the capsule, glenoid, and humeral head
  • subluxations that stretch the joint capsule
  • a torn labrum

These causes can contribute to shoulder instability in one of two ways: traumatic (injury) or atraumatic.

Traumatic Shoulder Instability

Traumatic shoulder instability develops when an injury causes the shoulder to dislocate. This type of instability is commonly seen in younger people who play sports. It can develop when there is a lack of support from the labrum and ligaments. The severity of chronic instability is dependent on the type and severity of the initial injury.

Atraumatic Shoulder Instability

Caused by a general looseness in the shoulder that eventually causes subluxations or dislocations. This type of instability is more common in older adults and typically occurs after a long period of wear and tear on the shoulder joint.

Did You Know?

When the femoral head is pushed completely out of the glenoid, this is known as a dislocation. When the femoral head is only pushed partially out of the glenoid and returns on its own, this is known as subluxation.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I have shoulder instability?

In cases where the shoulder has become dislocated, it causes specific symptoms that are hard to miss. These can include: 

  • pain
  • severely limited range of motion
  • visible deformity
  • shoulder hands down and forward

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is best to see a doctor at Dearborn & Associates as soon as possible for an evaluation.

How is shoulder instability diagnosed at Dearborn & Associates?

At Dearborn & Associates, our doctors can visually recognize a dislocated shoulder almost immediately. Some cases can be harder to diagnose, especially if the shoulder spontaneously relocates, or reduces, itself. X-ray or MRI imaging may be used to diagnose a dislocation, check for fractures, or assess the condition of the labrum and ligaments within the joint.

How is shoulder instability treated at Dearborn & Associates?

The first step to treating shoulder instability is to reduce the joint.  This is when the doctor pushes or pulls on the arm in a controlled manner, guiding the shoulder back into its socket. This is typically achieved with a quick and specific thrust. The period following a reduction will usually consist of immobilization for 4 weeks, followed by physical therapy.

For recurrent cases of shoulder instability, physical therapy is generally recommended to strengthen the rotator cuff and periscapular muscles to improve joint stability. Although physical therapy is effective for treating some cases, other cases may require surgical intervention.

Surgical intervention for shoulder instability is generally performed using an arthroscopic technique known as Bankart Repair. The goal of shoulder instability surgery is to stabilize the shoulder, while preserving as much motion as possible. With that being said, however, shoulder instability surgery can cause some loss of motion.

Schedule a consultation with Dearborn & Associates in Menlo Park today to see how we can help with your shoulder instability. 

Shoulder fractures can affect one of three bones within the shoulder: the scapula, clavicle, or humerus. Scapula fractures are rare, but can occur as a result of sports or car accidents. Clavicle fractures generally occur as a result of a fall, direct hit, contact sport accident, or car accident. Humerus fractures affect the humeral head (the ball of the joint) at the top of the bone. Proximal humerus fractures are the most common type of shoulder fracture and have the greatest effect on the joint. Other types of humerus fractures affect the middle portion of the humerus (humeral shaft fracture) or the bottom end of the humerus (distal humerus fracture).

Did You Know?

When it comes to shoulder fractures, clavicle and humerus fractures are far more common than scapula fractures. This is because the scapula is protected by the chest and supported within several strong muscles.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I have a shoulder fracture?

Since shoulder fractures can affect different bones, you may experience different symptoms depending on what bone is affected. While all shoulder fractures generally cause pain and swelling, here are symptoms that are specific to the type of fracture:

To determine if you have a shoulder fracture, schedule a consultation with Dearborn & Associates today.

How are shoulder fractures diagnosed at Dearborn & Associates?

At Dearborn & Associates, diagnose shoulder fractures by performing a physical exam of your shoulder and taking x-rays of the three bones that make up the shoulder.

How are shoulder fractures treated at Dearborn & Associates?

At Dearborn & Associates, your individual treatment plan will depend on a number of factors, including your current health, as well as the location and severity of your fracture. At a glance, here is how shoulder fractures may be treated:

Ultimately, however, your doctor will decide on a treatment plan that is appropriate for your situation. They will discuss their treatment recommendations with you and answer any questions you may have.

Schedule a consultation with Dearborn & Associates in Menlo Park and Fremont, CA today to see how we can help with shoulder fractures.