Blog Archive

Total shoulder arthroplasty is an effective  treatment for advanced arthritis in an older patient. However, active patients under 50 benefit from an alternative intervention. If you’ve been struggling with chronic shoulder pain due to arthritis or injury and are looking for a less invasive option than traditional shoulder replacement surgery,...

The shoulders, knees, and elbows are particularly vulnerable to overuse injuries. Rotator cuff tears, for example, are a common overuse injury of the shoulder. Each year, surgeons perform over 75,000 rotator cuff repair surgeries in the United States alone.  In the dynamic field of sports medicine, innovative therapies like biologic...

Tommy John surgery reconstructs a torn ulnar collateral ligament -- an elbow injury that occurs most often in athletes who participate in sports that involve fast-paced, repetitive overhead arm movements, such as baseball. A UCL injury may sideline you for a season, however, up to 95%, return to play following...

Both manual and robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery are effective, however, the robotic-assisted approach provides some advantages. Which procedure to choose for each patient depends on several factors, including individual anatomy, overall health, and the complexity of the surgery. Here at Advantage Orthopedics, board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Thomas Joseph Kovack, DO, specializes...

It’s estimated that roughly 53 million adults in the United States are living with some form of arthritis, and of those, 32 million have osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. When osteoarthritis affects your shoulder, it can cause chronic shoulder pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion.  This can...

Rotator cuff tears are common and typically require surgical intervention to repair. However, despite improvements in surgical techniques, some rotator cuff tears fail to heal. Biologic rotator cuff repair is a cutting edge procedure that promotes optimal healing, and can significantly improve rotator cuff repair outcomes.  Here at Advantage Orthopedics,...

When chronic shoulder pain strikes, many patients worry that shoulder replacement might be their only option. This apprehensiveness is understandable, given the invasiveness of traditional shoulder replacement surgery and the implications for future activity levels.  Here at Advantage Orthopedics, board-certified orthopedic surgeon Thomas J Kovack, DO, specializes in shoulder, elbow,...

One of the most devastating moments for active people  is the diagnosis of a torn rotator cuff. This small yet mighty group of muscles and tendons provides your shoulder’s range of motion and stability and is crucial for virtually every activity with the shoulder.  Traditionally, such injuries have meant long...

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered dramatic changes throughout everyday life — and in the medical community as well. Not only are providers across the country postponing elective procedures, but many are also encouraging people to avoid in-office appointments to reduce their risk of exposure to this highly contagious coronavirus.But what...

The "Natural" shoulder is an alternative to a convention shoulder replacement when you have severe glenohumeral arthritis. It is the option that is most like your own shoulder. The "ball" or humeral head is an oval shape, like your own shoulder and not round like the typical shoulder replacements out...

If you have severe shoulder arthritis and have been told that you need a total shoulder replacement but are too young or too active then you may be a great canidate for a Total Shoulder Resurfacing (TSR). This procedure is performed as a same day or outpatient procedure which means...

Rotator Cuff Tears have become, unfortunately, very common. They can occur from acute injuries or just from wear and tear over time in the shoulder. Acute full thickness tears are usually repaired early. Surgical repair are also indicated for chronic tears that have failed conservative treatment such as cortisone injections, therapy,...

Total Shoulder Resurfacing (TSR) is a great alternative to conventional total shoulder replacement for younger or older highly active patients. With TSR there are no weight restrictions or activity restrictions unlike with a convention replacement.  With a conventional total shoulder replacement the ball or humeral head is cut off removing...

Shoulder or glenohumeral arthritis most commonly can occur as you age. Factors such as trauma, injury and family history can contribute to it. Sometimes arthritis occurs even in younger people. When patients have failed conservative treatment such as rest, avoiding aggravating activities, medications, therapy, cortisone injections and so on a...

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using the new Rotium Biowick, "Rotium Patch",  by Atreon Orthopedics. It's a synthetic scaffold that is placed between the rotator cuff and bone to augment healing and strength of the repair. Recently approved by the FDA this product promotes migration of stem cells for healing. Prior...

Are you a canidate? If you have an arthric knee and have failed conservative treatment such as therapy, injections, medications, bracing and limiting certain activities then you are a canidate for this procedure.  Potential benifits of robotic technology This new technology has allowed surgeons to perform the procedure with the...

Day of surgery:  - Stay on top of the pain! The pre-op block you get for the pain can wear off anywhere from 6-18 hours after surgery. When you get home start taking some pain medication, usually an NSAID like Ibuprofen or Alleve. Usually 600-800mg of Ibuprofen every 6-8 hours or...

Shoulder injuries or arthritis can be troublesome, but how do you know the severity of your injury? There are a standard list of symptoms that are clear indicators that the problem is severe enough to require surgery. If you find that you’re experiencing these symptoms or life changing factors, please...

Any type of shoulder surgery is going to take some time to recover from. It’s typically a fairly invasive procedure, after all, depending on the nature of the surgery. Whether it’s a torn rotator cuff, a labrum, or even a total shoulder replacement, the end goal of the procedure is...

When you have a shoulder injury, or even a condition which hinders your movement like glenohumeral arthritis, it can be difficult to go through your day-to-day activities as you once did. No matter your age, activity level, or health, having limited range of motion and pain in your shoulder can...

A DIFFERENT KIND OF SHOULDER SURGERY For decades, traditional and highly invasive shoulder surgery methods have left patients with lengthy recovery times, pain, and far from ideal approaches to treating serious shoulder injuries. Traditional approaches leave much to be desired in the way of properly addressing patient-specific shoulder surgery needs....

Shoulder pain can be extremely difficult to deal with, especially when the pain is chronic. Although some shoulder pain may be the result of a simple strain that will heal on its own, some shoulder pain is the result of permanent damage. Whether it was an acute injury that damaged...

If you are considering a reverse total shoulder replacement surgery in Ohio, you have come to the right place. Dr. Kovack specializes in helping patients who have complex shoulder conditions. The methods employed by Dr. Kovack are minimally invasive and employ state of the art technology. If you are facing...

If you have made the decision to go forward with arthroscopic shoulder surgery in Ohio, you are probably swimming in questions. From trying to determine how much time to take off from work to deciding upon the best post surgery exercise plan, there are a variety of things to consider...

When it comes to undergoing any type of surgery most patients have many questions surrounding the procedure. Our goal is always to provide our patients with outstanding access to information. When you schedule an appointment with Dr. Kovack you will be afforded the opportunity for an evaluation of your specific problem and...

Most patients have heard of total shoulder replacement and are somewhat familiar with the traditional version of shoulder replacement. Conventional shoulder replacement involves an invasive surgery in which a metal humeral implant with a stem and ball and a plastic socket or cup that will be cemented in are employed....

When it comes to facing shoulder surgery, there is often a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding surrounding the procedures for a patient. This lack of understanding can lead patients to feel extremely uncertain about the procedure they are facing and can leave patients feeling like their options are extremely limited. However,...

WHAT IS A ROTATOR CUFF? As a ball socket joint, the shoulder needs a series of muscles and tendons to keep it stabilized and movable. These muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, connecting the upper arm to the shoulder blade, is collectively called the rotator cuff. These muscles...

WHAT IS ARTHROSCOPIC SURGERY? Arthroscopic surgery, also just called Arthroscopy, is a minimally-invasive alternative option for some joint surgeries. The term “arthroscopic” evolved from two Greek words: arthro, which means “joint” and skopein, which means “to look.” Arthroscopic surgery is completed using equipment that allows the surgeon to see inside...

Don’t let misconceptions and common myths dissuade you from seeing your local orthopedic surgeon to discuss your shoulder replacement options. There are many myths floating around out there that make many people think they are too young for an arthroscopic shoulder surgery, that the circumstances aren’t right, or that the...

WHY WOULD I NEED THIS TYPE OF ARTHROPLASTY? Will you need a shoulder replacement in the future? Certain patients cannot have traditional  shoulder replacement surgery, so they must undergo a newer arthroplasty called a reverse total shoulder replacement. These two shoulder replacement surgeries are very similar, but the designs of...

Shoulder pain causes discomfort and limitations to those who experience it. Some pain will lead to surgical solutions while others can be treated with physical therapy. The most common cause of shoulder pain for those that experience it is tendinitis. Tendinitis is inflammation found in the rotator cuff or the...

In a previous post, we discussed reasons why patients might want to seek out shoulder replacement alternatives. At the top of that list was age: total shoulder replacement surgery is typically reserved for patients who are 60 years old and above. However, as many young athletes know, injuries and arthritis don’t...

Arthritis is the word we use to refer to diseases related to inflammation and joint pain. Although we lack much knowledge regarding arthritis, including what causes it, treatments have been developed over the years, including shoulder replacement surgery. Medical research and patient experience have both contributed to a list of...

As you may or may not know, the rotator cuff is a group of 4 muscles and their respective tendons that envelope your main shoulder joint. The rotator cuff is very important to your mobility as it allows you to raise your arm and rotate it, as well as to...

Did you know that what you call your shoulder is actually several joints combined with muscles and tendons to provide you with a wide range of motion – from throwing that perfect pitch to simply scratching your back. However, mobility comes with a price! As the Top Shoulder Specialist in Columbus,...

Shoulder injuries or arthritis can inhibit many activities. A person that was once able to push, pull, and throw may no longer be able to perform these movements due to a slight or severe shoulder injury or increasing arthritis. There are a few different ways to treat a shoulder injury,...

Shoulder pain is common at many stages of life. Young athletes can suffer a shoulder injury during a sports match or playing too rough during recess. Other young people may be suffering from juvenile arthritis in the shoulder. Many older people have shoulder pain due to injuries from accidents. In...

It’s commonly true that one doesn’t realize the necessity of a certain body part until it is no longer functioning as normal. Are you experiencing shoulder pain? Isn’t it tedious that throwing a ball isn’t as easy or even possible when you have a shoulder injury or arthritis? A simple...

The shoulder’s rotator cuff is comprised of four main muscles – subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor. These muscles work together with the humerus, scapula, clavicle, humeral head, and glenoid fossa to give you range of motion. Another shoulder muscle, the deltoid, works together with the rotator cuff to allow...

Shoulder injuries do not limit themselves to a specific age group or type of activity. Since shoulder injuries can happen to anyone, we make it our mission to provide treatment through different mediums to make sure everyone has the best options. Conventional shoulder replacement surgery (or total shoulder arthroplasty) is...

Arthritis is the inflammation of a joint that causes stiffness and pain. There are many types of shoulder arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease among others. No matter the direct type of shoulder arthritis, the cartilage around the shoulder ball and socket is damaged which causes the...

So you’ve recently spoken with your physician about undergoing shoulder surgery, but you’ve never had surgery before; what are you supposed to expect? Thanks to the spectacular advancements in medical technology in the past century, surgery is easier than ever. Don’t assume it will be a breeze; we are still...

After suffering a shoulder injury or disease, the variety of options available for recovery treatment are abundant: physical therapy, platelet and stem cell procedures, or surgery just to name a few. Recover from a shoulder injury is particularly tricky due to the constant daily use. For the purpose of brevity...

Whether you’ve had shoulder resurfacing surgery due to arthritis or injury, are old or young, physically fit or getting by, these shoulder exercises will bring your range of motion to full swing in no time. The purpose of shoulder resurfacing with Dr. Kovack is to give your shoulder the range...

Spring time means getting into the full “throws” of Major League Baseball. Whether you’re a Cleveland Indians or Cincinnati Reds fan or maybe even play some ball yourself, it’s clear that the pitcher uses his arm and shoulder exhaustively. In some cases, the pitcher does not even throw for a...

Your shoulder is part of everyday life. Without it, you may not be able to do normal daily tasks, like brushing your teeth, pouring your morning cup of Joe or even driving to work. Can you imagine taking on your daily routine without your shoulders? It would be nearly impossible....

In our previous post, we talked about how shoulder tissues can eventually deteriorate over time from overuse or age. If you aren’t taking proper care of your shoulders and you are using them constantly, it is no wonder that you ended up with a painful shoulder injury. The most common shoulder...

If you’ve been reading our informative blog series. then you already know that our previous blog post mentioned how you can regain strength in your shoulder after your surgery with our top shoulder specialist, Dr. Thomas Kovack. We already mentioned that working on you range of motion can help to strengthen your shoulder,...

Shoulder surgery is a big step, and if you’ve recently recovered from shoulder resurfacing with Dr. Thomas Kovack in Columbus, OH, then you are probably eager to start using your shoulder like you did before you injured it. If you were an athlete or you just liked working out regularly before your surgery,...

If you’ve been following our informative blog posts, then you already know that this blog is going to concentrate around our amazing top shoulder specialist in Columbus, Ohio, Dr. Thomas Kovack. Top shoulder specialists can be difficult to find, there are a lot of doctors out there that can give you...

Shoulder surgery is something that you shouldn’t take lightly, and if you are having severe shoulder pain that is starting to affect the outcome of your day and even the quality of sleep you are getting at night, then you need to schedule a consultation with the top shoulder specialist in...

If you have been wondering more about arthroscopic biologic total shoulder replacement, then you are in the right place. At ColumbusShoulderDoc.com you can find all of the information you need. Our top shoulder specialist, Dr. Kovack, has what it takes to give you the natural shoulder repair you need to get...

Are you ready to give yourself relief like never before? When you put your trust into the hands of our top shoulder specialist in Columbus, OH, Dr. Thomas Kovack, you will be able to restore your youthfulness! At ColumbusShoulderDoc.com, you can find all of the information you would ever need about...

You can’t visit the doctor without hearing that you need to be more active. Exercise is a key factor in an overall healthy lifestyle, but unfortunately, there are times when it can be hard on your body. In some cases, that exercise can even cause you to need shoulder surgery....

Going into surgery is always scary, no matter what kind of surgery it is, and not many people know what to expect. Our goal is to not only provide you with the surgery that you need, but to also help you feel good about the decision that you have made....

Are you getting ready to visit the top shoulder specialist in Columbus, OH for shoulder surgery? If so, you may be wondering what you will do with yourself during those weeks of recovery. Many of us lead busy lives, and the idea of slowing down for even a few weeks is not...

Although advances in shoulder resurfacing in Columbus, OH have made surgery less painful and easier to recover from, it is still surgery and it can make many people nervous. Our top shoulder specialist is not only dedicated to providing you with the care that you need, but also to helping you to feel as...

If you have been reading our previous blogs, then you already know that the recovery from your biologic total shoulder replacement and resurfacing will be shorter and easier than a traditional shoulder replacement. However, there will still be some recovery time that you will have to live through. We would love to...

There are many shoulder specialists that you could go to in Columbus, OH. When you need surgery, you want to know that you are in good hands. With so many surgeons to choose from, how do you choose which one to go to? We believe that our surgeon, Dr. Thomas...

Not so long ago, there used to be only one type of shoulder replacement surgery that you could get. This traditional surgery is referred to as open repair because the surgeon had to make larger incisions to replace the joint with either a metal or a plastic joint. Now, thanks...

With the New Year now gloriously upon us, you need to ask yourself a simple question: Why settle for the rest when you can have the best? Yes, if you are in need of an Top Elbow Specialist in Columbus, OH, there really truly is only one person to seek out....