At Memorial Hermann | Rockets Orthopedics, we take a unique approach to treatment that sets us apart from other care models for injuries or conditions of the upper extremities, such as the shoulder and elbow. Not all shoulder and elbow injuries require surgery, so we involve our team of physical therapists and researchers from your first visit.
What to Expect
The initial evaluation of a shoulder or elbow injury involves looking at X-rays or MRI imaging to determine what structures have been injured or compromised. A physical therapist will take important measurements of your functionality, strength, range of motion, power and flexibility. The physical therapist also surveys you about your injury and your performance goals to determine how you perceive the impact of the injury on your life.
Information collected during this evaluation is compared with existing research, gathered from external clinical studies as well as data captured from Memorial Hermann | Rockets Orthopedics’ research team, to determine an optimal treatment plan. That proposed treatment plan is reviewed by Memorial Hermann-affiliated orthopedic surgeons or sports medicine physicians and presented for your consideration. Key to this discussion is determining the your lifestyle, desire to return to activity and expectations of a recovery timeline.
Treatment Options
While Memorial Hermann | Rockets Orthopedics has highly skilled affiliated orthopedic surgeons, surgery is not always needed. Our team takes a conservative approach to treatment that is driven by our substantial research on the most effective treatments for injuries to or conditions of the shoulder and elbow.
Nonsurgical Treatments
For injuries of the shoulder and elbow, healing and restoration of function, strength, range of motion and power may be possible without surgery. Rest, immobilization, physical and occupational therapy, or a combination of these treatments have been shown by our research to be effective and lasting.
Once you agree on a treatment plan with your doctor, our team of physical therapists will work with you to help restore functionality, strength, range of motion, power and flexibility through regular appointments. During those appointments, researchers will continue to measure and monitor your progress to determine the effectiveness of the treatment plan and whether performance goals are being met in a timely manner. This approach ensures that your return to activity remains on target and your risk for re-injury is minimized.
Surgical Options
If the orthopedic surgeon, with input from the existing body of research, determines surgery is the best option for you, the doctor and physical therapists will collaborate to develop a therapy schedule that optimizes your recovery.
Researchers will follow your progress throughout surgery and therapy to make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.
Why Memorial Hermann?
At Memorial Hermann | Rockets Orthopedics, we combine the knowledge of our skilled affiliated orthopedic surgeons and our research-focused physical therapists in one-stop. That way our patients with shoulder and elbow injuries and conditions reach their performance goals in less time and with a lower risk of re-injury compared with either surgery solutions or physical therapy alone.
Upper Extremity Pain and Injuries
Shoulder Pain and Injuries
Shoulder Injuries in Baseball