Dead arm syndrome is an injury in the shoulder region. Without the necessary treatment, it can cause permanent damage and mobility issues. It is a common injury for athletes and manual laborers, especially those who use their arms for throwing often. For athletes, this can cause permanent performance interference. Therefore, you should treat Dead Arm Syndrome seriously to fully recover and regain mobility. If you believe you have Dead Arm Syndrome, make an appointment with our orthopedic surgeon in NYC for an evaluation.
Causes
The cause of Dead Arm Syndrome is not a single incident but a result of lifestyle, which is why it is common in athletes and laborers. If you are involved in physical activity that uses the shoulder muscles, it is critical to routinely care for those muscles to avoid an overuse injury.
Dead arm syndrome is an overuse injury, which is caused by making repetitive motions. This is usually a condition in athletes who frequently use their rotator cuff for throwing motions, such as in basketball, tennis, and water polo.
The ligaments in the shoulder are stretched by repeatedly exerting the rotator cuff. Without further intervention, they can become loose. These tendons are responsible for shoulder stability, allowing full and controlled movement.
Symptoms
If the tendons are stretched and become loose, there are some key symptoms to identify this. The symptoms of Dead Arm Syndrome include:
- Pain in the shoulder
- Numbness
- Weakness in the upper arm
For athletes, another signal that there is a problem is a significant decrease in speed and force when throwing with the injured arm. If you are worried about the effect of Dead Arm Syndrome on your athletic performance, contact our orthopedic surgeon in NYC. We specialize in sports medicine and shoulder injuries.
Treatment
If you think you have Dead Arm Syndrome, the first step to recovery is taking a break to rest. After an injury, you should avoid using the muscle after an injury to prevent the symptoms from worsening. In the midst of this, doctors recommend applying ice and taking pain medication to reduce inflammation.
The next step to take is a diagnosis. It is essential to get a diagnosis to get proper treatment. Our orthopedic surgeon in NYC can review your condition and symptoms to determine the best treatment plan so you can get back on your feet. Depending on the severity of damage to the shoulder tendons, treatment for Dead Arm Syndrome will likely involve physical therapy and possibly surgery.
In physical therapy, you will complete stretching and strengthening exercises. Continuing this outside of your treatment is valuable because it will help prevent future injuries. The core and shoulder are essential for stability. If you are an athlete or manual laborer, you should take time to stretch and activate these muscles regularly.
Should shoulder arthroscopy may be necessary if the injury is severe or your condition is not improving with physical therapy. Shoulder arthroscopy is a surgical procedure used to examine and repair the tendons inside the shoulder. This is a minimally invasive technique our orthopedic surgeon in NYC can perform. This short procedure can be done as needed and usually takes an hour.
Make an Appointment Today With Our Orthopedic Surgeon in NYC
If you think you may have Dead Arm Syndrome, do not wait to start your recovery. The sooner you begin your treatment, the better your chance of recovering. Our orthopedic surgeon in NYC is ready to help, starting with your diagnosis. For more information on how we treat Dead Arm Syndrome or to book an appointment, visit our website.