Tom Willemann Health Tips

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When Your Shoulder Goes Snap, Crackle, Pop

If you’re like me, you probably are hearing some cracking or popping noises coming from your shoulder.   Surprisingly, these are, for the most part normal. However, if you are experiencing any pain loss of mobility or any potential swelling, you might be having challenges with your acromioclavicular (AC) joint.

There is a substantial amount of cartilage found in the shoulder joint and the smooth piece of cartilage tend to degrade overtime.  This often happens with overuse and can be easily treated with proper physical therapy sessions. However, if you are over the age of 50, the symptoms can be more pronounced and cause more trouble.

If you were to sprain your acromioclavicular ligament it has the potential to cause a minor separation in your shoulder commonly  known as a shoulder dislocation.   The best course of action is a substantial amount of compression rest and ice shortly file with sessions with a physical therapist.  If you do have a torn AC ligament, this will likely cause an increase of shoulder separation where you will hear more noise emanating from your shoulder. Especially if you were to rotate your arms, you will hear significantly more noise.

Often times, we see these types of injuries related to  athletes playing sports. There will be significant impact on the shoulder caused by body to body contact or a fall directly on the shoulder joint.   The more impact directly on the shoulder joint will cause an increase in shoulder separation.

If you are in a position where you need to have your shoulder treated after a medical procedure, we are able to implement an effective rehabilitation program that will help to strengthen all the muscles around the shoulder and increase your range of motion overtime.   As your muscles get stronger, you will see an increase in shoulder stability and reduction of the chance of you shoulder separating again.

If you have already had your medical procedure and are looking for a great Wyckoff physical therapist, please contact Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation.  We offer a free evaluation for your first visit so give us a call today to schedule.

Tom Willemann

Tom Willemann

Tom Willemann is a premier physical therapist based out of Bergen County, New Jersey. He holds an MS in physical therapy from the University of Miami, is credentialed in the world-renowned McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), and holds an OCS (Orthopedic Clinical Specialist) certification. As of 2018, there are approximately 14,000 ABPTS certified specialists in the nation and less than 400 of them are located in the state of New Jersey. Tom is the owner and director of Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation in Paramus. He opened the clinic, which specializes in spine and sports injury prevention, in 2004 after many years of experience in the field. Tom’s caring interest in others and his strong belief in continuity of care, combined with his clinic’s ability to find solutions for the most difficult orthopedic problems, have earned Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation its excellent reputation with patients and medical professionals in northeastern New Jersey and beyond. A true “family man,” Tom takes pride in his clinic’s warm and welcoming environment.
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