A major shoulder injury can seriously impact your ability to work and navigate daily life. If you’ve experienced a shoulder injury at your Georgia workplace, then you may benefit from a medical procedure such as arthroscopic shoulder surgery to make a full recovery and return to work. To know if arthroscopic shoulder surgery is right for you, it’s important to know the basics of the procedure, how effective and safe it is, and what your overall recovery might look like.
Your unique shoulder injury will need treatments that fit your specific situation. However, any workplace injury you experience must be associated with a strong case to help you get the benefits that you deserve from your Georgia employer and their insurance company. This means that you’ll need to make a clear connection between your shoulder injury and your work history to get important treatments covered.
We understand that working with your employer and the workers’ compensation system can be very difficult, and sometimes seems impossible. With the help of an expert workers’ compensation attorney at Gearhart Law, you can build a strong case around your claim and get the benefits that you deserve for your shoulder injury.
What is Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery?
Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that allows a surgeon to diagnose and treat problems in the shoulder joint. A small camera, known as an arthroscope, is used to look inside the shoulder joint and identify any issues such as torn or damaged cartilage or tendons. Using specialized instruments, your surgeon can then repair the damaged area by removing any damaged tissue to help restore normal joint function.
Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is similar to traditional open surgeries, which involve making an incision along the joint line with a scalpel, then using specialized instruments to repair the damaged tissue in the shoulder. However, open procedures are often more invasive and time consuming than arthroscopic procedures, taking several hours and leaving a larger scar. Many surgeons and patients choose arthroscopic procedures because they are much less invasive than traditional open surgeries, resulting in faster recovery times and lower risk of complications. This approach also allows for more precise diagnosis and treatment of the injury with minimal disruption to surrounding tissues.
Recovery times following arthroscopic shoulder surgery can vary depending on the extent of your injury and the specifics of your procedure. In many cases, people experience a reduction in pain and discomfort within a few days after their surgery. However, full recovery will still require several weeks before you’re able to return to normal daily activities. For those returning to a physically demanding job, even more time may be needed to ensure safety and prevent re-injury in the workplace. During your recovery period, you’ll need to follow your surgeon’s specific instructions to ensure a full recovery from surgery.
What is Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery Used to Treat?
Arthroscopic shoulder surgery can be used to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions, including rotator cuff tears, labral tears, and biceps tendon tears.
Rotator cuff tears occur when one or more of the four rotator cuff tendons in your shoulder become damaged or torn. This type of injury often occurs from repetitive motions in the workplace, such as lifting heavy objects or working with tools in awkward positions. Minor rotator cuff tears can be treated using exercise and other non-invasive treatments, while major rotator cuff tears often must be fixed with surgery.
Labral tears involve damage to the cartilage that lines and cushions the glenohumeral joint of the shoulder. This injury often results from repetitive motions as well as sudden movements that put excessive stress on the shoulder joint, such as a subluxation or dislocation of the shoulder. In some cases, labral tears can occur when an underlying medical condition such as arthritis causes repetitive irritation to the cartilage lining the shoulder joint.
A biceps tendon tear is an injury that occurs when the tendon attaching the biceps muscle in your arm to your shoulder becomes overstretched or torn. This type of injury often occurs with repetitive overhead motions or when lifting or carrying heavy objects at work. However, a biceps tendon tear can also occur due to a sudden, forceful movement such as trying to catch yourself after slipping or falling. Biceps tendon tears are usually painful and may cause swelling, bruising, and/or limited range of motion in your shoulder joint.
Is Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery Safe?
For many people, arthroscopic shoulder surgery is an effective method for treating shoulder injuries that is generally safer than traditional open surgery methods. While there are certain risks associated with any type of surgery, these risks can be minimized when the procedure is performed by an experienced orthopedic surgeon. It’s also important to discuss your health history with your doctor to ensure that you are a good candidate for arthroscopic shoulder surgery.
Common side effects immediately after arthroscopic shoulder surgery include soreness at the incision site, swelling, and stiffness in the shoulder. Depending on your procedure, you may be recommended to wear a sling for a few weeks after your surgery, and will likely be provided specific instructions by your surgeon to limit your risk of injury with movement. In some cases, medication may be prescribed to help manage common side effects while you are healing.
Will I Need Other Treatments?
Following your arthroscopic shoulder surgery, physical therapy can be an important part of your recovery process. During physical therapy sessions, your therapist will help you regain strength and range of motion in your shoulder joint using various exercises and activities, with the ultimate goal of returning to your normal daily tasks and work.
Your doctor may also recommend anti-inflammatory medications or patches to assist with managing swelling and discomfort in your shoulder joint. It’s important to keep in mind that while medications are often used as a short-term solution to relieve pain and inflammation, other treatments such as physical therapy are done to achieve long-term results and improve the function of your shoulder.
It is important to take extra precautions before returning to activities that require repetitive motions, such as work or any sports. Your doctor will likely recommend a gradual return to physical activity, with the goal of returning to work and recreation without injuring your shoulder. Additionally, your physical therapist may show you specific ways to modify your movements in order to protect your shoulder from excess stress at work.
To get important treatments like arthroscopic shoulder surgery covered, you may need legal representation from a group that specializes in workers’ compensation.
Contact an Atlanta Injury Attorney
The Georgia workers’ compensation lawyers at Gearhart Law Group represent victims of work-related injuries and help them get the workers’ compensation benefits that they deserve. Our lawyers understand how your employer and their workers’ compensation insurance companies will try to save money by denying or underpaying your claim. We know how to fight any objections they may have and pursue all the Georgia workers’ compensation benefits that you need. Call us now so we can evaluate your specific case and advise you of your next legal steps as well as ensuring that you are receiving the best medical care for your injuries.
