King's Daughters' Health

Don't let shoulder pain hold you back. SHOULDER PAIN KNOWS no age limit. "Weekend warriors" who spend their work days hunched over computers can quickly injure themselves engaging in intense physical activity on weekends, and older adults with arthritis know well the hurt that comes with wear and tear on their joints. "Most shoulder injuries and problems can be dealt with nonsurgically," says Ronald Auer, MD, orthopedic surgeon at King's Daughters' Health. "If you are in pain, come and see us for a consultation." Time for a New Shoulder? Dr. Auer frequently treats rotator cuff injuries and shoulder arthritis. Although both conditions may benefit from nonsurgical treatments, such as steroid and stem cell injections, he and the other orthopedic surgeons at KDH offer alternatives if those treatments aren't effective. "A total shoulder replacement might help someone with shoulder arthritis who has an intact rotator cuff," he says. "This procedure benefits a wide range of ages, and people have fewer limitations after complete healing." Older adults who have arthritis along with fractures or torn rotator cuffs have the option of reverse shoulder replacement. "These procedures can limit a person's range of motion," Dr. Auer says, "but they provide excellent pain relief." Stretching Your Options An ounce of prevention goes a long way toward minimizing your need for any type of shoulder treatment. Dr. Auer suggests that weekend warriors stretch before they tackle workouts or home projects. Regardless of your age, he also recommends stretching regularly and strengthening the upper back and shoulders with exercise to avoid muscle imbalances or tears. ■ To learn more, call KDH Orthopedics at (812) 801-0848, or visit www.kdhmadison.org/orthopedics. ARM PAIN A in the FINALLY, A FIX Retired shift operator James Ball, 88, could no longer tolerate the pain and reduced range of motion caused by shoulder arthritis. "Years ago, injections would take care of the pain," Ball says. "But eventually, my shoulders deteriorated badly enough that those injections no longer gave me any relief. That's when I had to explore other options." Ball met with Ronald Auer, MD, orthopedic surgeon at King's Daughters' Health, who recommended reverse shoulder replacement. The procedure can significantly reduce arthritis-related pain in older adults. "Reverse shoulder replacement was the answer to regaining the use of my shoulder," Ball says. In fact, it worked so well that three months later, he had the procedure on his left shoulder, which had started to hurt because it was compensating for the extra load his right shoulder couldn't bear during recovery. "Being pain-free has been a real blessing," Ball says. "I am very thankful to Dr. Auer and KDH." Ronald Auer, MD WINTER •• www.kdhmadison.org

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