#232 ‒ Shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand: diagnosis, treatment, and surgery of the upper extremities | Alton Barron, M.D.

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Nov 28, 2022

Orthopedic surgeon Alton Barron, founder of the Musician Treatment Foundation, shares his expertise on upper extremity health. He delves into common injuries like rotator cuff tears and frozen shoulder, discussing both non-surgical and surgical treatment options. Alton highlights the importance of physical exams in diagnosis, the evolution of orthopedic techniques, and how anatomical variations can lead to injuries. He also addresses the unique health challenges faced by musicians and the vital role of funding for specialized care.

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ANECDOTE

Evolution of Arthroscopy

Early shoulder arthroscopy was primitive, with high failure rates for labral repairs.
Metal anchors were used, later transitioning to plastic and now braided polyester.

ADVICE

Importance of Physical Exam

Don't base surgical decisions solely on MRIs; consider patient history and physical exam.
MRIs can corroborate findings but shouldn't dictate treatment alone.

ANECDOTE

94-Year-Old Swimmer's Recovery

Alton Barron's 86-year-old father dislocated his shoulder, tearing three rotator cuff tendons.
Despite his age, surgery and rehab led to full recovery and continued vitality.

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Alton Barron is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in the shoulder, elbow, and hand. In this episode, Alton breaks down the anatomy of the upper extremities and discusses the most common injuries associated with this area of the body. He explains in detail how he examines the shoulder, elbow, and hand to find the source of the pain and lays out the non-surgical and surgical treatment options as well as the factors that determine whether surgery is appropriate. Additionally, Alton describes the surgical procedures that, when done appropriately, can lead to tremendous reduction of pain and improvement in function.

We discuss:

Alton’s path to orthopedic surgery [3:45];
Evolution of orthopedics and recent advances [8:45];
Anatomy of the upper extremities [13:30];
Rotator cuff injuries, shoulder joint dislocation, and more [21:15];
Peter’s shoulder problems [31:30];
The structure of the biceps and common injuries [35:30];
Labrum tears in the shoulder and natural loss of cartilage with usage and time [38:15];
Shoulder evaluation with MRI vs. physical exam, diagnosing pain, and when to have surgery [41:30];
How anatomical variation can predispose one to injury and how screening may help [50:30];
Pain generators in the shoulder, and the important nuance of the physical exam [56:00];
Frozen shoulder [1:05:15];
Shoulder pain that originates in the neck [1:11:15];
Surgical treatments for a labral tear, and factors that determine whether surgery is appropriate [1:16:00];
Repairing the rotator cuff [1:29:15];
Are platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections or stem cells beneficial for healing tears? [1:38:15];
Repair of an AC joint separation [1:45:15];
Total shoulder replacement [1:55:45];
The elbow: anatomy, pain points, common injuries, treatments, and more [2:05:30];
How Tommy John surgery revolutionized Major League Baseball [2:17:15];
History of hand surgery and the most significant advancements [2:22:15];
The hand: anatomy, common injuries, and surgeries of the hand and wrist [2:29:30];
Carpal tunnel syndrome [2:40:00];
Other common injuries of the hand and forearm [2:47:15];
Grip strength [2:55:15];
Arthritis in the hands [2:59:30];
Trigger finger [3:07:45];
Nerve pain, numbness, and weakness in the upper limbs [3:14:00];
The Musician Treatment Foundation [3:22:00];
Gratitude and rucking [3:34:15]; and
More.

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