Conditions and Treatments

Shoulder Conditions

Instability, tendonitis, cartilage tears (labrum tears), and arthritis are common injuries in "overhead" sports such as baseball, tennis, volleyball, and swimming. They are also encountered in individuals who work in "overhead" occupations such as masonry, plumbing, and drywalling. Even though most of us consider the shoulder joint as being highly durable, it is actually a complex ball and socket joint that is susceptible to injury. For example, when the head of the humerus (the ball) and the glenoid fossa (the socket) become injured or diseased, the smooth surfaces become rough and irregular (arthritis). This causes friction, limitation of movement and, most of all, pain. The joint also relies on the rotator cuff and ligaments for motion and stability. Rotator cuff tears can occur if the tendons are overloaded following trauma or due to activities that involve heavy lifting. Instability can result from sudden trauma to the shoulder or from repetitive, typically overhead, activities.

The progress in surgical science has advanced greatly over the past few years, especially in the treatment of shoulder injuries. Shoulder injuries that were once considered permanent can today be effectively treated, often with minimally invasive surgical techniques. The shoulder surgical procedures performed by Dr. Cole treat conditions that include common problems such as rotator cuff tendonitis (impingement syndrome), rotator cuff tears, frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), shoulder dislocations (shoulder instability), labral tears (SLAP tears) and complex reconstructions for arthritis including cartilage transplantation procedures and muscle or nerve damage requiring tendon transfers (long thoracic nerve injury or scapular winging).

Knee Conditions

The knee is a large and complex joint that is dependent upon the interactions of bones, cartilage, and ligaments to provide normal and pain free movement. While highly durable, this joint is susceptible to injury during activities of both recreation and work. Instability, cartilage tears, and arthritis are common knee injuries in active people. For example, when the ends of the femur (thigh bone) or tibia (shin bone) become injured or diseased, their smooth surfaces become rough and irregular (arthritis). This causes friction, limitation of movement and, most of all, pain. These symptoms can also arise if the meniscus, which acts as a cushion within the joint, becomes torn or worn. The joint also relies on several ligaments (the ACL is one) for stability. Ligament sprains or tears can occur if they are overloaded following trauma or due to activities involving twisting.

Dr. Cole's practice offers comprehensive non-operative and operative management to effectively treat almost any knee condition afflicting an individual. Advances in our understanding of knee biomechanics and biology have significantly improved the outcomes following surgical intervention in particular. Knee injuries that were once considered permanent, especially in young patients, can today be effectively treated, often with minimally invasive surgical techniques. Some of the knee surgical procedures performed by Dr. Cole treat conditions that include ACL and meniscus tears, as well as focal cartilage injuries.