seattle hill physical therapy: You don’t have to live with shoulder pain

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

You don’t have to live with shoulder pain

You probably know someone who has had a rotator cuff injury. It is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. How do you know if you have a rotator cuff injury? Here are some signs to watch for:

Rick Jusko, PT,, will design a program of exercises and activity
modification tailored to your injury and your personal lifestyle.

● Shoulder pain

● Difficulty raising the arms above the shoulders

● A dull ache in the upper arm that increases with movement

The rotator cuff consists of the muscles and tendons of the shoulders. It includes four muscles: the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis, and the tendons that connect these muscles along with three bones. These include the shoulder blade, or scapula, the upper arm bone or humerus, and the collarbone or clavicle.

Rick Jusko, PT, OCS, owner/director of Seattle Hill Physical Therapy says rotator cuff injuries can result from age-related wear and tear, a single injury event, such as a fall. Overuse injuries can occur with sports such as golf, basketball, baseball, tennis, weightlifting, or from work activities that involve raising the arms above the head.

Treatment may involve surgery for serious injuries involving a complete or severe tear, or non-surgical treatment. In either case, Jusko, can work with you to design a program of exercises and activity modification tailored both to your injury and your personal lifestyle. The goal is to increase the range of pain-free motion, and to strengthen the uninjured muscles to compensate for injured tendons. Following the rehabilitation plan Jusko recommends will help you return to full function sooner. And a maintenance regimen that fits your lifestyle will help prevent further injury in the future.

For more information about rotator cuff injuries visit American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Rotator Cuff Tears.

Get ski-ready now to avoid injuries

Maybe it’s been a few years since you hit the slopes and you’ve decided to dust off your skis. Wait! Preparing for ski season properly will almost certainly prevent problems. Have Rick evaluate your joint integrity. Any lingering pain along a joint line or the front of the knee can signal trouble. “Pain inhibits strength,” says Rick Jusko, PT, owner/director of Seattle Hill Physical Therapy. "Weakness causes most injuries."

In addition to screening joints Rick will give you the strength activities that mimic slope demands. While doing squats is an activity most of us know to strengthen thighs it’s also very important to do exercises that prepare for the hopping, turning and side-to-side motion of skiing.

“One of the most overlooked components of skiing is the lumbar flexibility and strength, keeping the chest perpendicular to the fall line requires tremendous low back and hip flexibility and strength,” he says. “Skiers are flying down the hills at 40 miles per hour. Skiers need dynamic balance training.”

© 2010 eClinic Solutions

Tips to prevent snowboard injuries

Snowboarding is one of the 10 sport and recreational activities causing children injuries severe enough to merit emergency medical attention, according to the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).

"Ski injury experts agree that snowboarding carries a slightly higher risk of injury than traditional downhill skiing," said Dr. Bruce Bonanno, an emergency physician and member of the ACEP. "Research indicates that a snowboarder is likely to injure some area of the body every 250 days they spend snowboarding."

Try these tips from ACEP to prevent common snowboarding injuries:

Wrist Fractures and/or Sprains: Falls are the most common cause of wrist fractures and sprains. These injuries are caused when snowboarders lose their balance or catch an edge and attempt to break the fall with their hands.
Tip: Wear wrist guards.

Ankle Sprains and Fractures: Both ankle sprains and ankle fractures are more common in snowboarders than in skiers, mainly due to equipment differences.
Tip: Hard-shell, rather than soft-shell boots, may be more likely to protect against ankle sprains.

Spinal Cord Injuries: Snowboarding is considered an "extreme sport" and enthusiasts often push the limits of their ability doing tricks on half pipes and jumps. Although still relatively rare, the incidence of serious spinal injuries is on the increase.
Tip: Wear a helmet and take lessons from a qualified instructor. Avoid attempting stunts without proper instruction, practice and protection.

Head Injuries: While head injuries account for only a small number of total injuries among skiers and snowboarders, they are the number one cause of death and serious injury for people engaged in these sports.

As a former ski bum at Alta, Utah and now a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and knowledgeable and experienced Physical Therapist, Rick Jusko can help you get ready for the winter recreation that lies ahead this season.

© 2010 eClinic Solutions

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Tuesday, November 11, 2014

You don’t have to live with shoulder pain