The shoulder and elbow are both extremely complex joints. Having fellowship training and 20 years of experience treating these joints, Dr. Andreas Sauerbrey provides an expert opinion about operative and non-operative treatment options.
“If you have a painful shoulder or elbow, please come see me and we will start with a thorough examination to make the correct diagnosis,” he says.
Dr. Sauerbrey has treated thousands of shoulders over his career. Shoulder injuries vary from clavicle fractures and shoulder dislocations when we’re younger to rotator cuff and arthritic issues as we age. Many injuries or ailments have a non-operative approach, while others are better suited for surgery.
“We will always consider non-operative options for nagging conditions and frequently rely on our therapy colleagues to coordinate care,” Dr. Sauerbrey says. “In Steamboat, non-surgical musculoskeletal treatment options are widely available for a variety of conditions and can be coordinated with us after the correct diagnosis is made.”
Platelet-rich plasma therapy
Dr. Sauerbrey has frequently recommended platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for his patients for the last 12 years. He does PRP injections for many orthopaedic conditions, which he says triggers a healing response in the body.
“PRP can be an excellent alternative, particularly in elbow conditions such as tendinitis,” he says.
While PRP will not repair mechanical problems like a torn rotator cuff or ACL, when used in the right context it can deliver excellent outcomes.
Revolutionary care
Remaining current and progressive involves continuing education and constant evolution in modern orthopaedic practices. SOSI uses technologies such as three dimensional imaging, computer assisted templates and intraoperative imaging and navigation to help surgeons customize operations for each patient.
“We’re as revolutionary at SOSI as you can be — what we use, have access to, and how we approach patient care is state of the art. In some ways, we’re maybe even more progressive than other places because of our clientele and where we live,” Dr. Sauerbrey says. “We’re not dealing with a sedentary population. I want to provide the best outcomes for my friends and neighbors that are available anywhere.”
The Steamboat Orthopaedic & Spine Institute comprises a dedicated, local, and highly-trained staff of ten physicians and dozens of medical care and support staff, bringing world-class medicine to northwest Colorado, southern Wyoming, and the surrounding region. Alongside the team of specialists, SOSI also has a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist and a physiatrist who specializes in the evaluation of spinal and musculoskeletal disorders, non-operative spine care, including epidural injections, and EMG and global orthopaedic assessments.
