Services Offered Sports Medicine Fallbrook CA

If you’re looking for sports medicine in Fallbrook or the surrounding area, you can find the following services offered by Dr. Erwteman.

Surgical Treatment of Joint Problems Sports Medicine Fallbrook CA

An orthopaedic surgeon specializes in the surgical treatment of joint problems. Some patients with joint problems benefit from having a surgical procedure. After examining you and reviewing your imaging studies, Dr. Erwteman will give you his professional opinion about the risks and benefits of surgery in your individual case.

Arthroscopic Surgery Sports Medicine Fallbrook CA

When preparing to have any type of surgery, most people are concerned about the scar that will result. This is not only an aesthetic issue, but also a functional one. A longer scar means a more difficult and more painful recovery, as well as a greater chance for complications.

Whenever possible, Dr. Erwteman performs surgical procedures using a technique called arthroscopy. Only a few very small incisions are made around the joint. Using small cameras, and surgical instruments on long flexible rods, the surgery can be performed without a large incision. A skilled surgeon can achieve remarkably good results with arthroscopic surgical techniques, and the healing process is far easier without a large skin incision. At his sports medicine Fallbrook area practice, most of Dr. Erwteman’s procedures are performed arthroscopically.

Choosing a Surgical Procedure Sports Medicine Fallbrook CA

There are different procedures that can be useful for the same type of problem. The type of procedure chosen depends on many factors related to that individual patient. Dr. Erwteman will talk with you about which procedure he recommends in your case, based on his many years of training and experience.

Conditions of the Shoulder Sports Medicine Fallbrook CA

The shoulder is a complex joint, and there are many different surgical procedures that may be useful for problems with the shoulder. Those with unstable shoulders who experience repeated shoulder dislocations may benefit from the Latarjet procedure, which transfers a small piece of bone in the shoulder to provide greater stability. Those suffering from shoulder impingement may benefit from surgical subacromial decompression, which removes some bone tissue to provide more space for tendons and other structures.

A torn rotator cuff may be treated with a rotator cuff repair, or with a superior capsular reconstruction in some cases, when a repair is not possible. Which procedure is preferred depends on several factors. When you visit our sports medicine Fallbrook area clinic for your consultation, Dr. Erwteman will discuss with you which surgical procedure he recommends for your rotator cuff injury.

Dr. Erwteman also performs several other procedures on the shoulder. A labral repair may be useful for those with a tear of the labrum, which is a cartilaginous structure in the shoulder. Labral tears can occur acutely as a result of an injury, or chronically as a result of wear and tear on the joint. In some cases, one of the tendons of the biceps muscle may put undue force on the labrum, and a biceps tenodesis can be useful in these cases. This moves the biceps tendon to a new location on the humerus (upper arm bone), so that it doesn’t put force on the labrum.

For those who experience an injury to the acromioclavicular (AC) joint, a distal clavicle excision may be helpful. This removes the damaged end of the clavicle, reducing pain and improving function of the shoulder.

Conditions of the Knee Sports Medicine Fallbrook CA

The knee contains several structures that are commonly injured. These include the menisci (the singular is meniscus), tendons, cartilage, and ligaments. When a meniscus is injured, repair is attempted when appropriate, but sometimes involves removing the damaged piece of the meniscus. Because the meniscus is made of cartilage, which doesn’t heal well in certain circumstances, the damaged surface of a meniscus will often continue to cause symptoms, and removing the damaged portion can sometimes be the best way to restore function to the knee.

There are several ligaments that stabilize the knee (including the ACL). When these ligaments are damaged, it may be possible to repair the ligament, or it may be better to replace the damaged ligament. Damage to other structures of the knee, such as tendons or cartilage, may also be repaired surgically.

When a knee has experienced years of wear and tear, the cartilage of the joint may be severely damaged. In this case, a knee arthroplasty may be indicated. Commonly called a knee replacement, this procedure is more like a knee resurfacing, in which the damaged joint surfaces are removed and replaced with artificial alternatives. Most patients who have a knee arthroplasty experience a benefit, including reduced pain and an improved ability to function.

Conditions of the Ankle Sports Medicine Fallbrook CA

An ankle sprain involves damage to tendons and ligaments around the ankle. Most commonly, the damage occurs to the structures on the outside of the ankle, because the most common injury is an inversion sprain (the foot rolls inward as weight is placed on it). While many ankle sprains do not require surgical repair, a surgical procedure may be indicated in certain cases in order to restore stability to the ankle.

A high ankle sprain involves damage to the connection between the two lower leg bones (the tibia and fibula). Without a strong and stable connection between these bones, the ankle becomes unstable. Surgical repair of a high ankle sprain is more commonly recommended than for other ankle sprains, to give the patient the best chance of returning to function.

Murrieta Office

25150 Hancock Ave, Suite 200
Murrieta, CA 92562
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