Shoulder Surgery: Everything you should know
Shoulder Surgery: Everything you should know
Our shoulders are made up of three bones, the combination of which enables our movements. These bones can be effected by inflammation or tearof the tendon, arthritis or fractures, requiring medical and sometimes surgical intervention. If you experience pain or severe discomfort in your shoulders it is advisable to see a doctor at the earliest. After thorough examination, he/she will decide the course of action – from medication and home care to surgery, depending on the severity of the issue.
In case of a major injury or severe arthritis, you would be advised surgery. Here is all you need to know about the types, and their techniques.
Total / Partial Shoulder Replacement
Total Shoulder Replacement needs to be done if both sides of the shoulder joints are severely affected by arthritis. In Total Shoulder Replacement, the damaged end of the upper arm bone is replaced by a stem with a metal head. The diseased part of the socket is replaced by a plastic shell in which the metal head sits. In case only one part is affected, partial shoulder replacement can be done.
Shoulder Resurfacing
In Shoulder Resurfacing, the surface of the bony end is made smooth and the diseased part is removed in the process. After this, a metal cap shaped to fit into the socket is fixed on the end of the bone.
Bilateral and Revision Shoulder Replacements can also be extremely helpful. Some shoulder surgeries can also be performed using minimally-invasive techniques.
Shoulder impingement
Shoulder impingement can be a problem with tennis players, swimmers and cricket bowlers. The repeated action of the arm going up or coming down can lead to this, especially when players do more than their usual, by trying to increase their training intensity before or during their tournaments.
The person usually complains of pain with the arm coming down, as in during a tennis serve or a bowling action. There is a tendon called the Supraspinatus tendon that gets pinched between two bony prominences at the shoulder, leading to pain and discomfort.
Precautions to be taken
- Avoid sudden increase in training level
- Adequate in-between rest periods
- Proper training techniques
Most of the patients benefit from judicious rest and rehabilitation. A minority will end up requiring an Arthroscopic (Key Hole) procedure for effective treatment of their symptoms and return to sport.