Project Description

OVERVIEW
CONDITIONS & TREATMENTS
PHYSICIANS

Normally, all of the parts of the knee joint work together and the joints move easily and without pain. Disease, arthritis, or injury can disturb the normal functioning of the knee joint resulting in knee pain, muscle weakness, and limited movement. Longer life expectancies and greater activity levels lead to joint replacements being performed in greater numbers of patients.

How does the knee work?

The knee joint functions like a hinge at the junction of two bones, the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin). The ends of the bones are covered with a thick cushion of hard, white cartilage. You are given only one coating of this cartilage in your lifetime. Knee cartilage damage or worn cartilage causes the underlying bones to rub together producing knee pain and inflammation typical of knee arthritis.

  • 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.

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Treatments

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