The UCSD Sports Medicine focus involves knee and shoulder disorders, with an emphasis on arthroscopic surgery.
With the exceptions of total shoulder replacement, knee osteotomies, and complex multiligament reconstructions -- which require short in-patient stays -- most arthroscopic procedures are done on an outpatient basis.
The UCSD Sports Medicine specialists see and treat all age groups, ranging from adolescents to elderly patients.
Conditions and Disorders Treated
Shoulder Disorders
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Rotator cuff: Impingement (bursitis), rotator cuff tears (acute and chronic)
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Instability: Traumatic and atraumatic instability of the shoulder
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Labral tears: Throwing and sports related-injuries
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Cartilage injury and arthritis: From subtle cartilage injuries to advanced arthritis
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To diagnose the problem, we may ask for an MRI scan. The next step may be to manage the disorder with non-surgical therapy, consisting of exercise and range-of-motion restoration under the supervision of a physical therapist. Occasionally, cortisone injections are appropriate. Advanced cartilage disease (arthritis) may be treated by partial or total shoulder replacement (arthroplasty).
The vast majority of shoulder disorders are treated with advanced arthroscopic procedures, including arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and arthroscopic reconstruction for instability and labral disorders. The major advantages of arthroscopy over traditional surgery are significantly less pain and improved cosmetic appearance. Some of the complex instability disorders and massive rotator cuff tears may still be optimally treated by conventional surgical methods. When surgery is indicated, the vast majority of shoulder disorders are treated with advanced arthroscopic procedures, including arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and arthroscopic reconstruction for instability and labral disorders.
Knee Disorders
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Ligament: Acute and chronic ligament injuries such as cruciate ligament tears
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Meniscus: Traumatic meniscus tears and degenerative meniscus tears
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Cartilage injury and arthritis: Often associated with clicking / catching / pain
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Deformity: Angular deformities at the knee that may predispose to arthritis
Some acute injuries of the knee require early surgery, such as acute meniscus repair and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Most other conditions are managed initially with a therapist-supervised exercise program. An MRI may be appropriate in selected cases.
If non-surgical treatment fails, most of the conditions are treated arthroscopically, including meniscus debridement (partial removal) and chondroplasty (smoothing). For focal cartilage injuries, advanced cartilage procedures include sub-chondral perforation (microfracture) or autologous chondrocyte implantation (cell biopsy, culture, and reimplantation). Angular deformities may be appropriate for surgical realignment (osteotomy). Meniscal allograft transplantation is performed for select cases of complete or near complete meniscus loss without significant articular cartilage injury.
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