Throwing Injury Surgery Treatment

Sports such as baseball and softball that require repeated, overhand throwing motions at high speeds, place significant stress on the shoulder. This high stress can lead to a wide range of overuse injuries that affect the tendons, muscles, and tissue in your shoulder. These injuries can include biceps tendonitis, tendon tears, rotator cuff tendonitis, rotator cuff tears, or internal impingement. When nonsurgical treatment options such as anti-inflammatory medication, ice application, or physical therapy fail to provide you with the relief you need, it may be time to consider throwing injury surgical options.

At Barrington Orthopedics, our highly-qualified, expert shoulder specialists can perform arthroscopy or open surgery, two surgical procedures designed to treat throwing injuries. During arthroscopic surgery, your surgeon will insert a small camera into your shoulder joint to repair damage to soft tissues. Open surgery is recommended for patients with large, complex shoulder injuries. Our team will work alongside you throughout your surgery and provide you with a personalized rehabilitation plan to ensure a healthy and quick recovery.

If you’re struggling with shoulder pain and are not finding relief from nonsurgical options, it may be time to consider throwing injury surgery treatment. Schedule your first consultation with the team at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists today. If you’re in an emergency situation, visit the Immediate Care Clinic at our Schaumburg, IL location.

What Is Throwing Injury Surgery?

Your doctor may recommend surgery based on your history, physical examination, and imaging studies, or if your symptoms are not relieved by nonsurgical treatment.

The type of surgery performed will depend on several factors, such as your injury, age, and anatomy.

Your orthopedic surgeon will discuss with you the best procedure to meet your individual health needs.

Arthroscopy

Most throwing injuries can be treated with arthroscopic surgery. During arthroscopy, the surgeon inserts a small camera, called an arthroscope, into the shoulder joint. The camera displays pictures on a television screen, and the surgeon uses these images to guide miniature surgical instruments.

Because the arthroscope and surgical instruments are thin, the surgeon can use very small incisions (cuts), rather than the larger incision needed for standard, open surgery.

During arthroscopy, your doctor can repair damage to soft tissues, such as the labrum, ligaments, or rotator cuff.

During arthroscopy, your surgeon inserts the arthroscope and small instruments into your shoulder joint.

Open surgery

A traditional open surgical incision (several centimeters long) is often required if the injury is large or complex.