Why Seeing a Specialist Makes All the Difference for Shoulder, Wrist, and Hand Pain

When your shoulder aches after a weekend of yard work, or your wrist starts tingling during long days at the computer, you might wonder where to turn for help. Many people start with their family doctor, and that's a natural first step. But when it comes to shoulder, wrist, and hand problems, there's a compelling case for going straight to someone who lives and breathes these conditions every day.

Think of it this way: if your car's engine was making strange noises, you could take it to any mechanic. But wouldn't you rather take it to someone who works on your specific make and model all day long? The same logic applies to your body's upper extremity.

The Training Makes the Difference

Dr. Brian Butzen has been treating shoulder, wrist, and hand conditions in Durango, Colorado since 2013. What sets him apart isn't just his years of experience – it's his double board certification in both orthopedic surgery and hand surgery. This specialized training means he's seen thousands of cases just like yours, and he's developed the expertise to spot problems that might be missed by someone who sees these conditions less frequently.

When someone comes to see Dr. Butzen at Animas Orthopedic Associates, they're not getting generic advice. They're getting insights from someone who has performed countless rotator cuff surgeries, endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgeries, and trigger finger release surgeries. He's helped everyone from weekend warriors trying to get back on the slopes to ranchers who need their hands working perfectly for their livelihood.

Speed Matters When You're in Pain

One of the biggest advantages of seeing a specialist right away is time. Studies of clinical outcomes for generalist vs specialist care for diagnoses within a specialist's narrow domain have tended to favor specialty care, particularly when it comes to getting an accurate diagnosis quickly.

Here's what often happens when you start with general care: you describe your symptoms, get some basic tests, maybe try some medication or physical therapy, and if that doesn't work, you get referred to a specialist anyway. That whole process can take months, and during that time, you're still dealing with pain that's affecting your sleep, work, and daily activities.

Dr. Butzen can often diagnose conditions like rotator cuff tears, carpal tunnel syndrome, or trigger finger during your first visit. His trained eye can spot the subtle signs that point to specific problems. Sometimes he can recommend non-operative shoulder treatment or platelet-rich plasma therapy that gets you better without surgery. Other times, he knows right away that you'll need something like reverse total shoulder replacement surgery or distal radius fracture surgery to get back to feeling like yourself.

The Right Tools for the Job

Specialists don't just have different training – they have different equipment and techniques. Dr. Butzen performs procedures like endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery, which is less invasive than traditional methods. He stays current with the latest advances in tendon repair surgery and nerve repair surgery because that's his world.

When you see a specialist, you're also getting access to treatment options that might not be available elsewhere. Dr. Butzen offers procedures ranging from simple trigger finger release surgery to complex wrist arthritis surgery and thumb arthritis surgery. He's also skilled in newer treatments like de quervain tendinitis surgery using minimally invasive techniques.

Understanding Your Lifestyle Matters

What makes Dr. Butzen's approach particularly effective is his understanding of life in the Four Corners region. Whether you're dealing with shoulder pain from skiing in Durango, hand pain from ranch work near Cortez, or wrist problems from your job in Farmington, he gets it. He's been serving patients from Durango, Cortez, Pagosa Springs, and Farmington for over a decade, and he understands the activities that matter to people here.

His satellite clinic in Pagosa Springs makes specialized care more accessible to that community too. He's seen how shoulder pain can sideline someone from hiking the beautiful trails around Pagosa Springs, or how carpal tunnel syndrome can affect someone's ability to work effectively.

Research Backs Up the Specialist Advantage

The medical literature supports what many patients already know intuitively. There are increasing demands for orthopaedic specialist services due to the increasing burden of musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders, and specialists consistently show better outcomes for conditions within their expertise.

Musculoskeletal disorders comprise diverse conditions affecting bones, joints, muscles, and connective tissues. These disorders may result in pain and loss of function and are among the most disabling and costly conditions in the United States. Given how much these conditions can impact your quality of life, getting the right care from the start makes both medical and economic sense.

Real Stories from Real Patients

Over the years, Dr. Butzen has helped patients get back to the things they love. There was the competitive cyclist from Durango whose wrist pain was affecting her performance – a quick wrist and hand pain evaluation led to a targeted treatment plan that had her back on the bike within weeks. Then there was the carpenter from Cortez who thought his shoulder pain was just part of getting older, until Dr. Butzen's shoulder pain evaluation revealed a problem that could be fixed with rotator cuff surgery.

These aren't unusual cases – they're the kind of success stories that happen when someone with the right training applies their expertise to solve specific problems.

When to Make the Call

You don't have to live with shoulder, wrist, or hand pain. If you're experiencing symptoms that interfere with your daily activities, sleep, or work, it's time to see someone who specializes in these problems. Dr. Butzen and his team are here to help people throughout the Four Corners region get back to living their lives without pain.

Sometimes the solution is simple – like platelet-rich plasma therapy or non-surgical treatment. Other times, procedures like shoulder replacement surgery, clavicle fracture surgery, or carpal tunnel release surgery provide the lasting relief you need.

The bottom line is this: when you're dealing with specialized problems, you deserve specialized care. Dr. Butzen's commitment to the Durango community and the broader Four Corners region means you can get that expert care close to home, without the need to travel to larger cities.

Your hands, wrists, and shoulders do a lot of work for you every day. When they're not working right, you deserve someone who understands exactly what's wrong and knows the best way to fix it. That's what specialist care is all about – getting you back to the activities and lifestyle that matter most to you, as quickly and effectively as possible.

Rotator Cuff Surgery Options: A Guide for Patients Over 70

Understanding Your Supraspinatus Tear and Treatment Choices

You've been dealing with shoulder pain for months now. Physical therapy didn't give you the relief you hoped for, and those cortisone shots only helped temporarily. Now you're facing a decision that many of my patients in their 70s wrestle with: should you have your rotator cuff repaired, or is it time to consider a reverse total shoulder replacement?

I've been performing both rotator cuff surgery and reverse total shoulder replacement surgery here in Durango since 2013, and I've helped hundreds of patients just like you make this choice. Let me walk you through what each option means for someone in your situation.

Your supraspinatus tear is like a rip in the fabric of your shoulder. This muscle and tendon help lift your arm overhead and provide stability. When it tears, simple tasks like reaching for a coffee mug or brushing your hair become painful reminders of what you've lost.

Option 1: Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery

Think of rotator cuff repair as mending that torn fabric. During this procedure, I use small incisions and a tiny camera to reattach your torn supraspinatus tendon back to the bone where it belongs.

What makes you a good candidate for rotator cuff repair:

• Your tear is still repairable (not too large or retracted)

• The muscle hasn't shrunk (atrophied) significantly

• You have good bone quality

• You're motivated to follow the lengthy rehabilitation process

The recovery process: Recovery from rotator cuff surgery takes patience. You'll wear a sling for about six weeks followed by a 2 week weaning process, and it typically takes four to six months before you feel like your shoulder is truly back to normal.

One of my patients, a 72-year-old rancher from Pagosa Springs, had his rotator cuff repaired two years ago. He was back to handling his cattle and fixing fence posts within eight months. But he'll tell you those first few months required discipline with his physical therapy.

The advantages:

• Preserves your natural shoulder joint

• Generally less invasive than joint replacement

• Good long-term results when the repair heals properly

• You keep your own bone and cartilage

The challenges:

• Healing depends on your tendon growing back to bone

• Re-tear rates are higher in patients over 70

• Recovery can be slower and more demanding

• May not restore full strength if the tear is large

• Very small risk of a major complication (like infection)

Option 2: Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement Surgery

A reverse total shoulder replacement is different from traditional shoulder replacement. Instead of trying to fix what's broken, we essentially redesign how your shoulder works. The ball and socket are reversed, allowing your deltoid muscle to do the heavy lifting that your rotator cuff can no longer handle.

What makes you a good candidate for reverse shoulder replacement:

• Large, irreparable rotator cuff tears

• Failed previous rotator cuff repairs

• Significant weakness when lifting your arm

• Arthritis along with your rotator cuff tear

• You want more predictable pain relief

The recovery process: Recovery from reverse total shoulder replacement surgery is often more straightforward than rotator cuff repair. Most patients start moving their arm within days of surgery. You are in a sling for 2 weeks, and then starting to use the shoulder for light activity. Many of my patients are driving within two weeks.

A 74-year-old teacher from Cortez had her reverse shoulder replacement last year. She was back to playing with her grandchildren and tending her garden within three months. She tells everyone that her only regret was waiting so long to have the surgery.

The advantages:

• More predictable pain relief

• Faster return to daily activities

• Doesn't rely on tendon healing

• Works well even with massive rotator cuff tears

• Lower risk of needing repeat surgery

The challenges:

• It's a bigger surgery with implants

• Some activities may always be limited

• Small risk of implant problems over time

• Not easily reversible

• Very small risk of a major complication (like infection)

Making the Right Choice for Your Lifestyle

The decision between these surgeries isn't just medical—it's personal. I always ask my patients to think about what they want to get back to doing.

Consider rotator cuff repair if:

• You're in good health and motivated for a longer recovery

• Your tear is repairable

• You want to preserve your natural joint

• You're willing to accept some uncertainty about the outcome

Consider reverse shoulder replacement if:

• You want more predictable pain relief – more certainty of success

• Your tear is large or you have significant weakness

• You have arthritis in addition to your rotator cuff tear

• You prefer a faster return to daily activities

Questions to Discuss During Your Next Visit

Before we make this decision together, think about these questions:

1. What activities do you miss most because of your shoulder pain?

2. How important is it to you to preserve your natural joint?

3. Are you prepared for a longer, more uncertain recovery with rotator cuff repair?

4. Would you prefer a more predictable outcome even if it means joint replacement?

5. Do you have other health conditions that might affect your healing?

Success Rates and Realistic Expectations

Let me be honest about what the research shows for patients in your age group. Success rates help guide this decision, but they're not the whole story.

Rotator cuff repair success rates for patients over 70:

• Pain relief occurs in about 85-90% of patients

• However, re-tear rates are higher - around 30-40% for patients your age

• Even when tears happen again, many patients still feel better than before surgery

• Full strength recovery is less predictable, especially with larger tears

Reverse shoulder replacement success rates:

• Pain relief occurs in 90-95% of patients

• Satisfaction rates are consistently high - around 95%

• The surgery works reliably even when rotator cuff muscles are severely damaged

• Most patients regain good function for daily activities

The numbers favor reverse shoulder replacement for predictable outcomes, but that doesn't make it automatically right for everyone. Your goals matter more than statistics.

Take Your Time With This Decision

Both rotator cuff surgery and reverse total shoulder replacement surgery have helped countless patients in Durango, Farmington, Cortez, and Pagosa Springs get back to their active lifestyles. Based on your MRI and examination, either option could work for you - that's why this choice is yours to make.

Take this information home. Talk it over with your family. Think about what matters most to you in your recovery. There's no rush, and there's no wrong choice here.

When you're ready to move forward, just call the office and let us know which direction feels right for you. I've been helping patients navigate these choices for over a decade, and I'm confident that whichever option you choose, we can get you back to a more comfortable, active life.

Your shoulder pain has already taken enough from you. Let's work together to get you back to living the life you want in our beautiful corner of Colorado and New Mexico.

Please email me at doctorbutzen@gmail.com if you have any questions about this topic.