tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59378394268502531572024-02-29T01:26:01.888-06:00Frisella Shoulder SurgeryDr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937839426850253157.post-69470131787652835822020-12-01T09:02:00.001-06:002020-12-01T09:02:35.211-06:00Does Physical Therapy Work?I sometimes have patients who are very reluctant to consider physical therapy. Sometimes they have had a bad experience with therapy--it hurt more or didn't help. Certain patients felt that the therapist was not spending enough time with them, or that their therapy was too expensive. Others say that they feel like they could easily do the therapy on their own at home.
Physical therapy has Dr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937839426850253157.post-71377740421826718042020-11-23T12:05:00.002-06:002020-11-23T12:22:39.938-06:00Should I have surgery for frozen shoulder?Frozen shoulder is a problem that will eventually get better on its own. The bad news: that can take more than a year. If injections and/or medications don't help, some patients choose surgery. In my practice, about 25% of patients with a true frozen shoulder choose surgery after trying everything else. Surgery for frozen shoulder is very successful, but depends on careful physical therapy Dr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937839426850253157.post-84360058986883625512020-07-07T09:58:00.000-05:002020-07-07T10:04:03.308-05:00Getting the Most Out of Your Orthopedic Visit
Preparing for your upcoming visit can help your provider diagnose and treat your orthopedic problem. It can also save you time and prevent delays in your care.
Below is a list of ways to improve your orthopedic office visit with Frisella Shoulder Surgery at Advanced Bone & Joint:
1. Please bring an updated list of medications/supplements, Dr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937839426850253157.post-91469386533300976192018-09-17T20:18:00.002-05:002018-09-17T20:19:14.683-05:00Proximal Biceps Repair
A proximal biceps tendon tear can cause significant pain in the front of the shoulder. Biceps repair (also called tenodesis) can be done using several techniques. I have developed a very strong repair technique, performed through a one-inch incision, that requires no post-operative immobilization and allows for early and aggressive therapy. This in turn means patients can Dr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937839426850253157.post-78330981667695316012017-03-05T16:28:00.002-06:002017-03-05T16:28:29.344-06:00Arthroscopy Instead Of Shoulder Replacement: Superior Capsular Reconstruction
Some patients have a rotator cuff tear that is so large that it cannot be repaired. Often, these patients have had one or more surgeries but the tendons of the rotator cuff have not healed. We call this situation an "irreparable" rotator cuff tear because the tendon is so badly torn that it cannot be repaired. In the past, the only solution to this problem was a reverse Dr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937839426850253157.post-9184382390578305782016-12-07T15:36:00.001-06:002016-12-07T15:38:53.324-06:00Awake In-Office Shoulder Arthroscopy
In the past, diagnosis of shoulder problems such as rotator cuff tears required an imaging study such as an MRI. Recently technological advances have allowed for miniaturization of cameras to the point where a camera can be put at the end of a needle. These super-small cameras can be painlessly inserted into the shoulder, allowing the surgeon to evaluate the inside of the joint by directly Dr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937839426850253157.post-70232815738768429672016-11-06T13:06:00.002-06:002016-11-06T13:06:54.929-06:00Biceps tendon repair in the elbow
A tear of the distal biceps usually occurs in a man in his 50's or 60's. The patient might feel a pop or tear. Usually the injury occurs while lifting or lowering a heavy object. A "popeye" deformity of the biceps muscle can sometimes be obvious, where the muscle "balls up" in the arm. If a biceps tear has occurred, surgery is one option to regain strength and restore Dr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937839426850253157.post-35605980520888393312016-04-21T09:16:00.000-05:002016-05-03T10:04:13.121-05:00An alternative to shoulder replacement? A new technique shows promise: Superior Capsular ReconstructionThe rotator cuff is a series of four tendons that stabilize and move the shoulder. Rotator cuff tears are a common problem and can sometimes be treated without surgery. Surgical repair of the torn tendon or tendons is sometimes required.
Superior capsular reconstruction (source: Arthrex)
Occasionally, a tear is so severe that a repair cannot be performed. Sometimes this is Dr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937839426850253157.post-19850816508563508262015-11-04T20:32:00.002-06:002015-11-04T20:32:48.161-06:00Pectoralis Major Tendon Rupture in a Football Player
Pectoralis major (pec tendon) tears occur in young, active, male patients. A torn tendon is usually obvious, and surgery is usually necessary to repair the torn tendon to restore strength and function. Here I repair a torn pec major tendon in a college football player.Dr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937839426850253157.post-66170681301158206492015-10-12T15:05:00.003-05:002015-11-04T20:34:56.068-06:00Did I tear my pec tendon?In a previous post, I described a pec major tendon tear. The pectoralis major is the large muscle on the front of the chest. The tendon attaching the muscle to the test can tear, and this almost always happens in an athletic male performing bench press. A torn pec tendon is very obvious: the weight drops, there is severe pain and a feeling of something tearing, and a Dr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937839426850253157.post-71332189434959130272015-08-25T10:44:00.000-05:002015-10-12T15:05:58.112-05:00Distal Biceps Repair with Achilles AllograftA distal biceps tear usually happens to a man in their 50's or 60's. The biceps tendon usually tears with a heavy lift, or when lowering something to the ground. Some people describe the sensation as being hit in the arm, a "pop", or like being shot in the arm. Often there is immediate deformity, but not always.
Most people choose to have surgery to repair their biceps, but if Dr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937839426850253157.post-51152618258770156782015-06-20T17:22:00.001-05:002015-06-20T17:22:04.814-05:00Rotator Cuff Presentation to Missouri Administrative Law Judges
I was honored to speak to the Administrative Law Judges at the Missouri Division of Workers' Compensation 2015 Annual Meeting. Often, I am asked to give my expert opinion on causation in rotator cuff tears. Rotator cuff tears can occur from an injury, but also occur from "wearing out" over time. I had a very interesting discussion with the judges about their legal perspectiveDr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937839426850253157.post-45764703320326269352015-02-01T14:06:00.000-06:002015-02-11T18:53:54.839-06:00Do I have carpal tunnel syndrome?Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by a pinched nerve in the wrist. Since the nerve is being compressed, signals can't flow through the nerve. This causes pain, tingling, and numbness in the hand. The pinched nerve is sort of like stepping on a garden hose. When you step on the hose, water can't flow out the end. With a nerve, when normal signals can't get through, Dr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937839426850253157.post-37638321552924522132014-10-06T12:32:00.001-05:002014-10-06T12:32:14.342-05:00New Rotator Cuff Repair Video
Just finished a new rotator cuff repair video. A rotator cuff repair is the most frequent surgery that I perform. Most patients with rotator cuff tears are in their 50's or 60's. Tears can occur from wear over time, or be the result of an injury or accident where the tendon is torn away from the bone. Thanks to John Dattilo for the video editing!Dr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937839426850253157.post-91858112315641855902014-07-17T07:10:00.001-05:002014-07-17T07:10:02.972-05:00Arthrex Teaching Event with Dr. Burkhead
Had the opportunity to lecture and teach arthroscopy at the Arthrex-Apollo Surgical Master Shoulders Course, along with Dr. Matt Smith M.D. from the University of Missouri and Dr. Buzz Burkhead M.D. from Dallas, Texas. These guys are truly experts in shoulder surgery and I was honored to be included.Dr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937839426850253157.post-82967812337416224192014-04-24T08:19:00.003-05:002014-04-24T08:19:33.112-05:00Why does my shoulder hurt at night?
Shoulder Inflammation
Many patients will tell me that their shoulder doesn't bother them much during the day, but at night, if they roll over on it, it hurts. Sometimes shoulder pain keeps people from getting to sleeping at night, or wakes them up during the night. This can be very frustrating.
Many different shoulder problems can cause pain at night, but the most common Dr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937839426850253157.post-29360352425929103192014-02-17T15:08:00.002-06:002014-04-24T08:20:26.604-05:00Bench press injury: It's a pec tendon tear!The pectoralis major is the large muscle on the front of the chest wall, and attaches the arm to the rib cage. The pec major tendon can tear (or rupture), just like any other tendon in the body. However, the pec tendon almost always tears in young, muscular men, usually while doing the bench press. Using steroids can increase the risk of this muscle tear, because steroids allow Dr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937839426850253157.post-5928990082274705242013-12-12T08:25:00.002-06:002014-04-24T08:20:46.302-05:00What's a Reverse Total Shoulder?In the past 15 years, there has been a remarkable advance in the world of shoulder surgery in the form of a new type of shoulder replacement called a "reverse" total shoulder. In surgery, it is rare that something truly new comes along. The reverse shoulder replacement represents a real improvement in a surgeon's ability to treat severe shoulder problems.
A Diagram of a Dr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937839426850253157.post-48213861964279647952013-12-05T11:59:00.002-06:002014-04-24T08:21:07.584-05:00New Shoulder Study: An Alternative to Cortisone InjectionA May, a new study was published in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery which suggests an alternative to cortisone injection for people with shoulder pain. For years, cortisone injections were given to patients with longstanding shoulder pain, because it works effectively to decrease inflammation. This new study looked at a different medication, called toradol, to decrease Dr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937839426850253157.post-12623001396579897302013-07-22T11:28:00.004-05:002014-04-24T08:21:50.289-05:00Rotator Cuff Tears Don't Always Hurt
Rotator cuff tears are tears in the tendons of the shoulder. Most people know about rotator cuff tears, but are surprised to learn that having a rotator cuff tear is not always painful. Most tears happen slowly over time. These tears are called "degenerative" tears because they occur slowly and are not the result of a single injury. On top of that, they are often not Dr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937839426850253157.post-58165461225510410992013-05-30T07:03:00.001-05:002014-04-24T08:22:06.803-05:00Arthrex Teaching EventLast week had the opportunity to demonstrate surgical procedures in a cadaver lab. Thanks to Apollo Surgical and Excel Physical Therapy for sponsoring the event. I was able to demonstrate what actually happens in surgery when I do a shoulder arthroscopy or "scope". The audience included physical therapists, nurse case managers, and insurance adjustors. It is always Dr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937839426850253157.post-28357392451676110362013-04-29T09:59:00.005-05:002014-04-24T08:22:37.089-05:00Fall and bump on shoulder = it's a shoulder separation!My friend called me last night and said "I think I dislocated my shoulder!" When he told me that he had a large bump on his shoulder, I knew that it was probably not a dislocation but a shoulder separation, where the joint between the shoulder blade and collarbone is disrupted. This causes a large bump where the collarbone sticks up. Here's a picture of his shoulder.
Dr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937839426850253157.post-32399808952165967692013-04-03T13:55:00.003-05:002014-04-24T08:24:00.322-05:00I tore my biceps tendon! Now what?
The biceps muscle
Everyone knows the biceps muscle, the large muscle on the front of the arm. The biceps has a tendon at the top of the arm that attaches in the shoulder and and another tendon that attaches at the elbow. The biceps can be torn in either location. Either type of tear can cause a "popeye" deformity in the arm, and means a loss of strength.
Most peopleDr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937839426850253157.post-50929848189933414522013-01-17T08:31:00.000-06:002013-04-04T07:22:03.848-05:00Are Cortisone Injections Bad for You?I give many cortisone injections in my practice because cortisone is a powerful, effective anti-inflammatory. Most shoulder problems are the result of inflammation, and cortisone is the most effective medication to treat inflammation. Period. Why do I use cortisone injections? Because they work really, really well. Like any medication, though, cortisone hasDr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937839426850253157.post-89183520923732637552012-11-01T10:03:00.003-05:002013-04-04T07:23:42.088-05:00More About Frozen ShoulderFrozen shoulder happens when inflammation develops inside
the shoulder joint. Frozen shoulder is
also called “adhesive capsulitis”. The
inflammation from frozen shoulder causes pain at first, but over time causes
thickening of the ligaments inside the shoulder. This thickening of the ligaments is similar
to the formation of a scar. As this
occurs, the shoulder becomes Dr. W. Anthony Frisellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466234876491428413noreply@blogger.com2