Quest March 2017

Page 62

The Top Doctor Is In by Castle Connolly Top DoctorsÂŽ Q: I have a labral tear in my shoulder. Do I need surgery?

D AV I D PAT R I C K C O L U M B I A C E N T R A L PA R K C O N S E R VA N C Y ’ S W I N T E R L U N C H EO N AT T H E R A I N B O W R O OM

A: A labral tear is a tear of the labrum in the shoulder, a band of connective tissue that surrounds the socket and is torn usually from overhead trauma such as weightlifting or degenerative wear and tear. The need for surgery depends on the patient. When one suffers a labral tear, the problem is micro-instability. Younger patients who are active, especially with overhead activity, will do much better with an arthroscopic repair. Older patients who do not use their arms for overhead activity should try physical therapy first to see how they do. In some cases, those patients do well temporarily, but then fail after they go back to overhead activity. I have found that older patients that enjoy weightlifting have difficulty living with most labral tears. The best approach is to see a board certified orthopedic surgeon that sub-specializes in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder. Spending enough time with the patient to determine the proper diagnosis prior to an imaging test is critical. The surgeon's clinical judgement is by far the most important factor in the final decision for surgery.

Camille Hellwig and Ainsley Earhardt Proctor

Katherine Birch

Sara Peters and Amory McAndrew

Suzie Aijala and Douglas Blonsky

Tracey Huff, Suzanne Cochran and Neda Navab

Armin Tehrany, M.D. Manhattan Orthopedic Care 515 Madison Ave, Suite 1102 New York NY 10022 212-729-9200 www.mocnyc.com Also in Staten Island Board Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery

Top Doctors Make a Difference www.castleconnolly.com

00 QUEST

Julie Prince Hojlo and Allison Prince

Dolly Bross Geary, Jane Blair Oberle and Lindsay Higgins

PAT R I C K M C M U LL A N

Veronica Gabriel, Courtney Posner and Priscilla Zoullas


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Quest March 2017 by QUEST Magazine - Issuu