Project Description

OVERVIEW
CONDITIONS & TREATMENTS
PHYSICIANS

Your hands and wrists are essential tools that allow you to work, play and perform everyday activities.  How well the hand and wrist interact depends on the integrity and function of the ligaments, tendons, muscles, joints and bones. Problems in any of these can affect upper extremity function, causing disruptions at home and work and negatively impacting quality of life.

The human hand itself is very complex and delicate in structure. Hand surgery requires a completely different surgical approach from a qualified hand and wrist surgeon whether treating fractures, arthritis or deformities. Hand surgery traditionally includes treatment of the entire hand, wrist and forearm.  Again, this whole region works as a single unit, and the dysfunction of a single part needs consideration of the whole. An additional year of training is required for those orthopaedic surgeons seeking certification in hand and wrist surgery.

  • Arthritis Surgery in the Shoulder and Elbow
  • Arthroscopy
  • Distal Biceps and Triceps Ruptures
  • Elbow Arthroscopy
  • Elbow Fractures/Dislocations
  • Elbow Replacement
  • Elbow Sports Injuries
  • Elbow Surgery
  • Rotator Cuff Injuries
  • Shoulder Fractures
  • Shoulder Instabilities
  • Shoulder Replacement
  • Shoulder Sports Injuries
  • Shoulder Surgery
  • Tendonitis

Shoulder Topics

ANATOMY – “Your Amazing Body”

SELF-CARE – Things You Can Do”

Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Rehabilitation Exercises

Shoulder Surgery Exercises

INFORMED CONSENT

Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery

Rotator Cuff Tears

MEDICATIONS

Managing Pain With Medications After Surgery

PHYSICAL THERAPY

Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Rehabilitation Exercises

INJECTION THERAPIES

Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

Although Martha’s Vineyard Orthopedic specialists can offer highly-specialized shoulder surgery options, it is best to avoid surgery altogether if possible. To avoid experiencing shoulder pain, Martha’s Vineyard patients should keep physically fit with a balanced program of aerobics, stretching and strengthening all body parts to help to prevent shoulder injuries.  Here are some specific tips for the shoulders:

  • Apply heat to shoulder muscles before exercise. Heat prepares muscles and tendons for exercise.
  • Keep your arm below shoulder height while doing stretches for the shoulder.
  • Gradually increase movements—big circles, across-body movements, trunk twists, shoulder blade rolls and forward and backward squeezes—during shoulder warm-up.
  • Pendulum stretching exercises relieve pressure on the rotator cuff. While sitting or standing, keep arm vertical and close to the body. Allow arm to swing back and forth in a small diameter (about 1 inch). As symptoms improve, the diameter of swing may be increased. Initially perform the exercise with just the weight of your arm. As shoulder pain improves, progressively add more weight—5 to 10 pounds (a filled gallon container weighs 8 pounds). Perform exercise for 5 minutes once or twice a day.
  • Muscle-strengthening exercises can be performed about 1 to 2 weeks after doing pendulum stretching exercises. Use elastic exercise bands for a variety of arm exercises. For example, attach band to a doorknob. Then hold your elbow close to your side at a 90 degree angle, grasp the band and pull toward your waist. Hold for 5 seconds. Do 15 to 20 repetitions each day.

Conditions

Treatments

Request An Appointment

Patient Testimonials

Share Your Story