Shoulder Surgeon

Bellevue, Wa.

Shoulder Surgeon Bellevue, Washington: Introduction

Hello, I am Dr. Jurek, a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon serving Bellevue, Washington. As a sports medicine physician, I specialize in repairing a wide range of shoulder injuries including rotator cuff tears, shoulder dislocation and Labral tears, to name a few. I also perform shoulder revision surgery in cases where individuals may have had prior, unsuccessful surgeries with other physicians. Total shoulder replacement surgery is one of the surgeries I perform most often and get results that leave my patients feeling relieved of the dreaded pain caused by arthritis (see video of my patient exercising after a total shoulder replacement). He is amazing!

Google Reviews

"I visited Dr. Jurek as I needed a second opinion after a rotator Cuff surgery did not solve the paralysis in my shoulder…. With Dr. Jurek's guidance, support and expertise, I have full use of my arm. I do not believe that words alone can describe how thankful I am to have had the opportunity to be a patient of a Doctor that was so kind, caring and patient to work through the options to find the right solution. Thank you Dr. Jurek!"

Dave Kopf
orthopedic surgeon seattle
shoulder surgeon bellevue wa

"Dr. Sara Jurek was a wonderful surprise in a stressful situation. …our first visit ..Sara was understanding and sympathetic to my emotions. I felt an instant connection…I needed a rotator cuff repair, bicep tenodesis and a subacromial bursectomy. Sara specializes in shoulders and she took all the time I needed to understand exactly what and why we had to do the surgery. My surgery turned out terrific and I am well on my way to a full recovery. I would trust her to work on anyone in my family and tell everyone about how amazing she is! No one wants rotator cuff surgery but if you need to have it call Sara Jurek."

Tonya Almquist
orthopedic surgeon seattle
shoulder surgeon bellevue wa

"I have had reverse shoulder replacement surgery on each shoulder this past year, five months apart.. I'm pleased to say that the outcomes so far have been far better than I had expected, with very little pain after surgery and smooth and quick recoveries. I was swinging a golf club after 6 weeks, and was playing golf just 8 weeks after my first surgery. I had a similar and even better result, with even less pain and quicker recovery time, after my second surgery. I would certainly recommend Dr. Jurek to anyone for shoulder replacement surgery…She is really terrific."

Doug Lorentz
orthopedic surgeon seattle
More Reviews
orthopedic surgeon bellevue wa

Initial Consultation

In the initial consultation, Dr. Jurek will sit down with you and discuss your history, your symptoms, your concerns, your goals, and will answer any questions you may have. She will first find out how your shoulder pain started and use the details of your history to guide her physical exam, which she will perform once she has a thorough understanding of your shoulder injury/pain. Dr. Jurek and you will review your imaging together (usually at least x-rays and sometimes an MRI, CT scan, bone scan, and/or ultrasound, depending on what you have brought with you to the visit from other providers). You will discuss the findings together and will make a plan as to next steps based upon those findings.

Shoulder Surgeon in Bellevue, Wa. : Our Focus

shoulder surgeon bellevue wa

Shoulder Pain

shoulder surgeon bellevue wa

Shoulder Arthritis

shoulder surgeon bellevue wa

Shoulder Trauma

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Rotator Cuff Tear

shoulder surgeon bellevue wa

Shoulder Dislocation

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Shoulder Tendinitis

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Labral Tear

shoulder surgeon bellevue wa

Shoulder Surgery

The Process for Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery

The evaluation and treatment of a rotator cuff tear needing surgery consists of an initial consultation with review of x-rays, a physical exam, and likely a plan to have an MRI of your shoulder performed if you don’t already have one. The MRI is a medical imaging technique that uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create very detailed images of your shoulder (it is especially good at showing soft tissue structures like the rotator cuff tendons and provides valuable information as to whether or not the rotator cuff is torn and if the rotator cuff muscles are atrophied). MRI images are made without the use of any ionizing radiation and MRI is considered one of safest technologies for imaging the body. The MRI scanner is a large tube with the magnet inside and when you undergo an MRI, you will lay inside this tube as the images are taken.

The MRI results will help guide treatment of your rotator cuff injury and if surgery is indicated, Dr. Jurek will discuss the considerations and details of rotator cuff surgery with you during your visit. Her scheduler will talk with you about timing and a surgery date will be confirmed

The week before surgery

Dr. Jurek strongly encourages you to go to her website for extensive information regarding what you can do ahead of your rotator cuff repair surgery to make your recovery as smooth as possible. You can purchase an ice machine and/or rent a motorized recliner to help reduce postop pain and make sleeping easier. You can make sure you have loose-fitting, easily-donned clothes to wear after surgery and make sure you’ve removed any obstacles around your house that might trip you.

The day and night before surgery

Dr. Jurek recommends showering and using a special soap called chlorhexidine (unless you are allergic) the day before surgery. You will be required not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery.

The day of surgery

Dr. Jurek will meet with you ahead of time to answer any questions and go over the plan for the next few days after surgery. The anesthesiologist will also talk with you, answer questions, and go over the anesthesia plan for your surgery. You will then walk to the operating room where you will be greeted by the OR nurse and the scrub tech (the person who hands Dr. Jurek the surgical instruments during your surgery) and you will lay down on the OR table. The anesthesiologist will hook you up to monitors and start administering medications. The anesthesiologist will perform an ultrasound-guided regional nerve block to numb the nerves that supply sensation to your shoulder to help significantly reduce your postoperative shoulder pain. The anesthesiologist will then put you to sleep and Dr. Jurek and her team will carefully position you on your side during the surgery. Dr. Jurek will then repair your rotator cuff and when the surgery is completed, you will wake up with your arm in a sling called a shoulder immobilizer.

The days after surgery

The hard part (surgery) is over but now a different hard part begins. Typically, the most challenging part of the days after rotator cuff repair surgery is making sure that you have good pain control and making sure that you are being very careful with your shoulder. You are not allowed to actively lift your operative shoulder away from your body or to pick up anything heavier than your cell phone for about six weeks after surgery and this can pose quite a challenge. As your shoulder starts feeling better and better a week or two after surgery, the challenge then becomes making sure that you continue to be vigilant about protecting your shoulder and not lifting or using it to ensure optimal healing of your rotator cuff repair.

You will follow up with Dr. Jurek approximately 10-14 days after your surgery for a check of your incisions, a discussion of the plan for the next few weeks, and a review of your intraoperative pictures and videos from the surgery.

Don’t let shoulder pain hold you back another minute! Make your appointment today with Dr. Jurek and start your recovery.
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The Process for Total Shoulder Replacement

The evaluation and treatment of a patient who may benefit from shoulder replacement surgery consists of an initial consultation with review of x-rays, a physical exam, and likely a plan to have an MRI and/or a CT scan performed (if you don’t already have one).

The MRI results will help Dr. Jurek know whether to recommend an anatomic total shoulder replacement (if your rotator cuff is healthy) or a reverse total shoulder replacement (if your rotator cuff is torn or very thin). The CT scan shows excellent detail of the bones of your shoulder and will help Dr. Jurek decide if a reverse total shoulder is necessary and will help plan positioning of the implants during surgery.

 

Dr. Jurek will discuss the considerations and details of shoulder replacement surgery with you during your visit. Her scheduler will talk with you about timing and a surgery date will be confirmed.

 

The week before surgery

Dr. Jurek strongly encourages you to go to her website for extensive information regarding what you can do ahead of your rotator cuff repair surgery to make your recovery as smooth as possible. You can purchase an ice machine and/or rent a motorized recliner to help reduce postop pain and make sleeping easier. You can make sure you have loose-fitting, easily-donned clothes to wear after surgery and make sure you’ve removed any obstacles around your house that might trip you.

 

The day and night before surgery

Dr. Jurek recommends showering and using a special soap called chlorhexidine (unless you are allergic) the day before surgery. You will be required not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery.

 

The day of surgery

Dr. Jurek will meet with you ahead of time to answer any questions and go over the plan for the next few days after surgery. The anesthesiologist will also talk with you, answer questions, and go over the anesthesia plan for your surgery. You will then walk to the operating room where you will be greeted by the OR nurse and the scrub tech (the person who hands Dr. Jurek the surgical instruments during your surgery) and you will lay down on the OR table. The anesthesiologist will hook you up to monitors and start administering medications. The anesthesiologist will perform an ultrasound-guided regional nerve block to numb the nerves that supply sensation to your shoulder to help significantly reduce your postoperative shoulder pain. The anesthesiologist will then put you to sleep and Dr. Jurek and her team will carefully position you on the OR table. Dr. Jurek will perform your shoulder replacement and when the surgery is completed, you will wake up with your arm in a sling called a shoulder immobilizer.

 

The days after surgery

You will follow up with Dr. Jurek approximately 10-14 days after your surgery for an incision and x-ray check and a discussion of the plan for the next few weeks.

 

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FAQs

Rotator Cuff Repair

Will I be in pain right after my rotator cuff surgery?

You will likely experience some pain right after your rotator cuff repair surgery. The anesthesiologist will perform a nerve block before the surgery which will likely provide you with really good pain control for 18 to 24 hours after your surgery. When the block wears off, you will likely need to use Tylenol, an anti-inflammatory, ice, and possibly narcotic pain medications for a few days up to a week or two to reduce your shoulder pain.

How will you help me with my pain?

Dr. Jurek will prescribe medications for you to take starting immediately after surgery to help with your pain control. She also strongly encourages you to obtain an ice machine which can be incredibly helpful in pain control after shoulder surgery. Sleeping upright on multiple pillows, using a wedge pillow, or using a recliner can also be quite helpful to make sleep more comfortable.

How long does the pain last?

The pain typically lasts a few days for up to a couple of weeks after rotator cuff repair surgery and the general trajectory of postoperative pain following a rotator cuff repair is that every day is better than the previous day.

How long will I stay in the hospital after my rotator cuff surgery?

Rotator cuff repair surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure. This means that you will go home the same day and you will not need to stay overnight in the hospital following this procedure.

Will I need to go to physical therapy?

Yes, you will need to go to physical therapy after your rotator cuff repair surgery. Dr. Jurek typically recommends starting formal, regular physical therapy approximately six weeks after a rotator cuff repair. An option that Dr. Jurek recommends would be a couple of visits to PT between weeks one and six to meet with your physical therapist, work on other body parts which may have become sore as a result of the shoulder surgery, and to perform gentle range of motion exercises with your operative shoulder to avoid stiffness.

How long after my surgery does physical therapy start?

Formal physical therapy after rotator cuff repair surgery usually starts about six weeks after surgery with the option to have a few visits ahead of that to meet with your PT and do some gentle exercises.

How long will I have to go to physical therapy for?

Most patients typically go to physical therapy for a couple of months once or twice a week (doing home exercises every day that they are not going to PT) and then drop down to once every 2 to 4 weeks for another month or two. Once you have achieved full range of motion, are gaining strength in your shoulder, and feel ready to do so, you will graduate from physical therapy and do a regular home exercise program.

FAQs

Total Shoulder Replacement

shoulder surgeon bellevue wa

How bad is the pain after total shoulder replacement?

The pain after total shoulder replacement can range from essentially nonexistent to severe; every patient is different. Strategies such as utilizing an ice machine, taking regular pain medication such as Tylenol, an anti-inflammatory, and sometimes a narcotic, sleeping upright, and doing very gentle range of motion exercises can help quite a bit with relieving postoperative pain. Many patients note feeling better very quickly after shoulder replacement surgery and describe having a different (less severe) kind of pain than the pain that led them to have a shoulder replacement in the first place.

How will you help me manage my pain?

Dr. Jurek will prescribe medications, provide you with a sling called a shoulder immobilizer to protect your shoulder, and will encourage you to use multiple strategies to reduce your shoulder pain after total shoulder replacement including using an ice machine and sleeping more upright (on pillows, a wedge, or in a recliner).

How long does the pain last?

The pain usually last anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks following total shoulder replacement.

How long will I stay in the hospital after my surgery?

You will either stay overnight after your shoulder replacement surgery or potentially will go home the same day. Dr. Jurek will discuss these options with you ahead of your surgery.

Will I have to wear a sling after having a total shoulder replacement? For how long?

You will wear a sling called a shoulder immobilizer after having a total shoulder replacement. If you have an anatomic total shoulder replacement, you will wear the sling for 6 weeks after surgery. If you have a reverse total shoulder replacement, you will wear the sling for a few days up to a few weeks after surgery.

How soon after having my surgery will I have to start physical therapy?

You will start physical therapy 2 to 6 weeks after your shoulder replacement surgery, depending on how comfortable you are.

How long will the PT last?

Physical therapy following shoulder replacement surgery typically lasts a couple of months.

How long before I can get back to normal activities?

You will need a month or two of healing after shoulder replacement surgery before you can get back to gentle activities of daily living. Once you start physical therapy, your therapist can help guide you to safely return to your normal activities.

What will be my limitations after total shoulder replacement?

While your activities will be limited immediately after surgery, most patients who undergo shoulder replacement surgery are able to return to their normal daily activities without limitation. Exceptions are patients who lift very heavy weights and patients who perform very heavy labor on a regular basis (Dr. Jurek will talk with you ahead of time about other treatment options besides total shoulder replacement and/or adjustments to your lifestyle if you fall into one or both of these categories).

Are there any exercises you recommend staying away from after surgery?

Exercise and physical activity is absolutely encouraged after shoulder replacement surgery with the caveat that very heavy weight lifting and activities involving repetitive high impact to the shoulder (e.g., chopping wood) are to be avoided.

How many years will my replacement last?

Recent, well-done studies confirm that most shoulder replacements last longer than 10 years. Unfortunately, many of these studies do not have long-term data beyond 10 years to know if these excellent results continue out past 20 or even 30 years. Many shoulder surgeons agree that shoulder replacements can reliably be expected to last at least 15 to 20 years.

About Bellevue

Bellevue is a city located in King County, Washington, just across Lake Washington from Seattle. While some patients living in Bellevue may feel more comfortable going to a local physician for their routine healthcare, when it comes to something more serious like having shoulder surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff or to alleviate arthritis pain, seeing an Orthopedic Shoulder Specialist is the right choice. Dr. Sara Jurek is available to help you find the best solution for your shoulder pain, be it surgical or non-surgical treatment.

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601 Broadway 7th Floor 
Seattle, WA 98122
3400 California Ave SW Ste. 210 
Seattle, WA 98116
(206) 386-2600

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601 Broadway 
7th Floor 
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 386-2600

Ask A Question

Ask a Question
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