Q
: 1
01/13/2010 |
What are the risks or downside to having elbow replacement? My left elbow is at angle - not quite 45 degrees. I would like to be able to straighten it and use it properly. I am 48 years old. I had 2 total knee replacements 16 years ago and have had no limiting of my activities other than squating completely. I am looking for those types of results for my elbow.
First you can have an excellent result with a total elbow replacement. Of course you need someone with tremendous experience, especially since you are young and elbow replacements will wear out sooner with use. Newer anatomic elbow replacements also give you that advantage when inserted properly.
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Q
: 2
06/19/2009 |
How many total shoulders replacements are done at your facility per year?
Approximately 150-200.
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Q
: 3
06/07/2009 |
I am a 56-year-old female who had arthroscopic surgery a month ago to clean up the joint area and smooth bone spurs. I began physical therapy four days after surgery. I am now doing various band exercises and pulleys to stretch, and lifting from lying position 1 and 2 lb. weights above me. I am having more pain than I expected and I wonder if the exercises I am doing are too much, too soon.
I would like to know what you recommend to your patients after a surgery similar to mine.
I recommend gentle motion exercises for six weeks and then strengthening with modalities.
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Q
: 4
03/11/2008 |
Would it be possible to tear a rotator cuff-minutely over a period of time without experiencing a large degree of pain until months later? Is there a primary incident required or can this manifest itself over a period of months?
Most rotator cuff tears are degenerative in that they occur over a period of time. Some are of course traumatic after a severe injury.
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Q
: 5
02/28/2008 |
Hello doctor. I'm a 42-year-old male. I had elbow surgery three years ago. I had limited motion in my elbow. My doctor said it was caused by arthritis in the joint so he did surgery. I had a lot of therapy afterwards using an elbow device to put more pressure so I could get more movement. I had some numbness in my pinky finger afterward that was not there before surgery and has increased over time. It is getting uncomfortable, not really painful but it feels like the finger is asleep all the time. Will this usually get worse?
Usually ulnar nerve (cubital tunnel) symptoms can worsen after elbow surgery to improve motion. I would definitely have it evaluated by your physician.
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Q
: 6
02/20/2008 |
I am a 66-year-old man. I recently fell, landing on my right shoulder and severly damaging my rotator cuff. After four months I underwent open surgery, but the tendons/muscles had completely atrophied and nothing could be done. My arm movement is now severly limited and as I am an active person, is there any other proceedure that I could consider, e.g. tendon replacement, etc.?
You may want to consider reverse shoulder replacement.
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Q
: 7
10/23/2007 |
I fell and had a large tear in rotator cuff which was repaired in Januay. I was working out in July and tore the same cuff in a different spot. My surgeon is planning an open repair using a graft. Is reinjury a common problem?
Reinjury is not usually the issue, but NON healing rotator cuff tears are common. Grafts have been shown NOT to work with open rotator cuff repairs.
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Q
: 8
10/17/2007 |
I just recently started doing some research on elbow reconstruction, and I had just one question. I'm currently 24 years old and at age 12 I was admitted to the hospital for a staph infection which apparently settled in my elbow, and eventually devoured my elbow joint. After several surgeries and a reconstruction surgery (taking "something" from my leg to create a new joint for my elbow) I have zero mobility in my left arm. I still can use my hand and wrist fine but my elbow is always at a 45 degree angle with "possibly" 2% movement. What are my chances of ever being able to have my arm back to normal?
Your option would be a total elbow replacement but I would have to examine your elbow and review your x-rays. Please call 410-448-6416 for an appointment.
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Q
: 9
04/03/2007 |
When you have a total joint replacement of the elbow, what parts are removed? What do they do with your tendons, muscles and the cushion on the end of your elbow?
During an elbow replacement the end of your arm (humerus bone) is contoured to fit the arm portion of the replacement which is then coupled with the replacement that goes down the inside of your forearm bone. When I do an elbow replacment no tendons are detached.
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Q
: 10
01/11/2007 |
I am a 36-year-old male, active and fit who likes working out with kettle bells. The past year and a half I injured my right elbow with a partical tear to the ulna ligament and bone chips in the elbow limiting my movement to 5-120 degrees. I have been to two different sports doctors and they recommend having the bone chips removed. I also have arthitis in the joint as well. There are times of pain and loss of strength but times without. Do you recommend surgery to remove the bone chips?
If you're elbow is causing you significant problems with pain and diminished motion I would recommend an arthroscopic elbow debridement and capsular release. Now that being said, it is very important to know whether or not your ligament is strong enough and doesn't need repair/reconstruction as well. Either way make sure your surgeon is "VERY" experienced in treating this condition and is an experienced elbow arthroscopist.
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Q
: 11
09/07/2006 |
I was diagnosed with tennis elbow in December 2005. I received cortisone shot which semmed to make it worse & did 3 months of physical therapy with much improvement. I had one good month following PT before the pain returned. I have "babied" the elbow from May through August. I am icing it once a day consitently & using compression brace below the elbow during the day & a wrist immobilizer to sleep. I'm using ibuprofen as needed. Tennis elbow is on the right & am right handed 47-year-old woman. I am considering scheduling an appointment if you think it's appropriate. My research suggests that a small percentage of tennis elbow sufferers require surgery. How do you determine that? would be grateful for any information you could provide.
Surgical treatment for tennis elbow is necessary if all treatment options have been used and the pain and dysfunction are too much. It really is determined if the patient cannot tolerate the discomfort. I treat these arthroscopically when necessary with excellent results. I would have to examine your elbow to see if you are a candidate. Please call 410-448-6416 if you would like an evaluation.
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Q
: 12
08/03/2006 |
I am a 35 year old male and used to be in good - excellent physical condition. I fractured my humerus, and had to have surgery (appoximately a plate secured by 9 pins). I believe the surgeons had to manipulate the humerus to get it to match up with the humerus head. I've been going to physical therapy twice a week for about 10 weeks now, in addition to exercises I can do at home. My most recent x-ray showed moderate healing, but the humerus had not completely healed. My range of motion is obviously seriously reduced, and during physical therapy I am limited by pain not only in my shoulder/upper arm, but also pain in my shoulder blade/scapula. I am concerned that nearing three months that I may never get back to even 80 - 85 percent of normal range of motion. Would you consider this normal healing/range of motion three months after this type of surgery or should I be concerned?
That depends really on the type of fracture, how it was repaired and how your therapy is going. I would need to see you to give you an honest opinion. But to be concerned is understandable. Bad fractures can take a long time to heal and sometimes limited motion can result as well. Sometimes a second surgery is necessary to release the adhesions etc. If you would like a consultation please call 410-448-6416.
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Q
: 13
07/21/2006 |
I Fell and dislocated my shoulder. It is failing to fully recover with arm motion therapy.
What do you think of adhesion breaking arm manipulation under anethesia ?
Is your rotator cuff torn? Did you have an MRI? If you truly have a "frozen" shoulder after dislocation I would treat that with an arthroscopic capsular release. Manipulations under anesthesia are very old fashioned and have many potential problems such as nerve injuries, arm fractures, tearing of tendons etc. Please let us know if we can assist you. If so, please call 410-448-6416.
Dr. Murthi
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Q
: 14
07/18/2006 |
My right shoulder is about an inch shorter than my left following numerous fractured ribs and clavicle. I have narrow shoulders to begin with. Not only is this visually unappealing, I also have less leverage and it affects my work and other activities. Can you fix it? Will insurance cover it?
It sounds like you have a shortened clavicle. I treat this injury often. Most insurances will cover this surgery which is to realign the clavicle and use a plate to fix it. Please call 410-448-6416 to arrange an appointment and evaluation.
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Q
: 15
06/14/2006 |
My shoulders have given me problems for about eight years now. My mobility has decreased and it is often painful to reach overhead or behind my back or neck. I went to see an orthopaedic doctor and after X-rays and an MRI he said I have impingement and a partial tear on the tendon of my rotator cuff. He said the only way to fix it is surgery. Can this be done with minimally invasive techniques, not making long incisions in the tissue? Or can it possibly heal itself and get better with therapy?
Both. I would try therapy first to improve your motion, perhaps even a cortisone injection. If that fails and you do not have extensive arthritis then arthroscopic surgery (minimally invasive) is available from well-trained orthopaedic surgeons.
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