Dealing with persistent joint pain can be frustrating, especially when initial treatments don’t yield the expected results. In this medical consultation, Dr. Alejandro Badia evaluates a patient (a writer by profession) whose left rotator cuff he successfully operated on over a decade ago. Today, the challenge is in her right shoulder, proving that every injury requires a unique approach.
After a biceps injection two weeks ago that failed to completely relieve the discomfort, the medical plan must be adapted. On this occasion, Dr. Badia administers an injection of lidocaine and cortisone directly into the bursa to combat inflammation (bursitis). The patient, who had mentally prepared herself to feel pain during the procedure, is pleasantly surprised to confirm that the injection was practically painless and provided immediate relief in her range of motion.
The main goal of using cortisone—a medication the doctor emphasizes should not be administered too frequently—is to reduce the pain enough to allow the patient to do her physical therapy. Supported by MRI scans, the diagnosis indicates that this issue will not require surgery. This case demonstrates how combining precise diagnostic tools with the right conservative treatment helps patients get back to their lives and passions without going to the operating room.
