The best sleep positions after shoulder surgery are semi-upright positions that support the weight of the operated arm and keep the shoulder from rotating while the repair heals. Sleep disruption is one of the most common complaints after shoulder surgery, and it is rarely a sign that something has gone wrong. Pain feels louder at…
Most patients leave surgery with a folder of discharge paperwork and a head still foggy from anesthesia. By the time they get home and actually sit down to read it, half the specific timeline details have blurred together, and the questions start piling up. When can I shower? When does this ache become something I…
Most people who end up in my clinic asking about shoulder surgery did not wake up one day and decide they wanted an operation. They woke up unable to reach the top shelf without wincing, or they threw a baseball to their kid and felt something in the joint give way that had not felt…
Rotator Cuff Surgery vs. Physical Therapy Pathways Not every rotator cuff tear requires surgery. Many patients, particularly those with partial rotator cuff tears or full-thickness tears in lower-demand individuals, achieve meaningful pain relief and restored shoulder function through a structured physical therapy program without ever going to the operating room. Surgery becomes the right path when conservative…
Yes. Most athletes return to sports after shoulder instability surgery, including contact and collision sports. Return to sport is not guaranteed, nor is it simply a matter of time. It requires meeting objective criteria for rotator cuff strength, external rotation, internal rotation, shoulder endurance, and sport-specific function before full clearance is given. Athletes who complete…
Most patients are in a sling for four to six weeks, begin structured physical therapy shortly after surgery, and return to full activity including contact sports between five and nine months depending on the procedure performed. Arthroscopic Bankart repair typically allows a faster return to non-contact activity. Open procedures such as the Latarjet require a…
Both procedures are used to treat shoulder instability. The arthroscopic Bankart repair restores the torn labrum and tightens the capsule. The open Latarjet procedure transfers a piece of bone to rebuild the front of the glenoid socket. Which one is appropriate depends primarily on one factor: the amount of glenoid bone loss. Below roughly 15%,…
Untreated shoulder instability gets worse. What starts as a shoulder that feels loose or gives way during activity can progress into chronic pain, repeated dislocations, nerve damage, and permanent structural damage to the joint. The longer it goes without proper treatment, the more difficult it becomes to correct and the less likely you are to…
If you’re preparing for orthopedic surgery in Dallas, you’re probably thinking about what comes next, and specifically, how you’ll manage pain during recovery. Here’s some encouraging news: you have more options than ever before to control post-surgery pain effectively without relying on narcotic medications. The opioid crisis has changed how we approach pain management, and…
Shoulder pain can be frustrating and life-limiting, especially when it interferes with sports, work, or everyday activities. One of the most common but often misunderstood causes of shoulder pain is a SLAP (superior labrum anterior and posterior) tear. Left untreated, this type of injury can worsen over time and limit your ability to stay active….