Rotator Cuff (Shoulder) Injuries & An Interesting Email: Food For Thought(s)...

By Miami Beach Chiropractic Sports Physician - Todd M. Narson, DC, DACBSP

I received this email below that I'm not going to comment on...I just want you to read it, sit back and think about it. I'll add a little color & some bold for emphasis, but as FoxNews says, we report-you decide.....................

From the OrthoSuperSite:

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Board of Directors recently released a clinical practice guideline for the treatment of rotator cuff tears and related problems, according to a press release from the organization.

A work group chaired by Robert A. Pedowitz, MD, of Los Angeles, and co-chaired by Ken Yamaguchi, MD, of St. Louis, developed the guideline after a review of 74 studies on rotator cuff treatment published through 2008.

“Although there is a tremendous amount of research on the rotator cuff, much of it does not reach the quality levels necessary to be considered definitive,”“Thus, we cannot say there were recommendations that could be unequivocally supported.” Yamaguchi stated in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) press release.

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You know.. I just can't resist; I will make this comment..

If you're going to a physician that is going to give you some type of treatment to your rotator cuff/shoulder (or any other part for that matter), ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS AS TO (1) What's specifically wrong with you(2) How does that contribute to my symptoms (3) exactly how is your recommended treatment going to help(4) What outcome can I expect (5) what you can do at home to help yourself.

Oh, those question should be posed to the physician AFTER an examination which should include:

1. A full history of how the problem came about
2. Reflexes
3. Range of motion
4. Orthopedic tests of the injured areas and related areas
5. Palpation of the area and adjacent areas
6. Motion palpation of association joint structures
7. Imaging studies if necessary AFTER the physical exam

If you can't get a good and thorough explanation.....walk out.

'nuff said

Dr. T



Dr. Narson is a 2-term past president of the Florida Chiropractic Association’s Council on Sports Injuries, Physical Fitness & Rehabilitation and was honored as the recipient of the coveted Chiropractic Sports Physician of the Year Award in 1999-2000. He practices in Miami Beach, Florida at the Miami Beach Family & Sports Chiropractic Center; A Facility for Natural Sports Medicine.