WHAT WE DO
We treat all types of shoulder problems from common age-related conditions such as osteoarthritis to complex fractures and soft tissue injuries.
All patients receive a thorough clinical assessment of their problem with further investigations (X-Ray, Ultrasound Scan, MRI Scan, CT Scan) performed if required. We plan our treatment approach for each patient taking into account the research evidence for best practice and any specific needs of the individual.
SHOULDER & ELBOW ARTHROSCOPY (KEYHOLE SURGERY)
We perform a large number of shoulder operations using a keyhole technique (arthroscopy). This involves putting a camera in your shoulder or elbow joint through little cuts in the skin and then using special instruments to complete the procedure.
Arthroscopic shoulder surgery has advanced rapidly in the last decade and now we are able to undertake quite complex procedures using keyhole methods. This means that large painful open procedures are avoided, recovery and rehabilitation is quicker and procedures can be done as day-cases, normally with the patient awake.
We regularly deal with sporting injuries, repairing the ligaments and labrum in unstable dislocating shoulders and repairing tendons. Rotator cuff tendon tears are now routinely repaired with arthroscopy.
We also use this technique to release frozen and stiff shoulders by releasing the scarring in the lining (capsule) of the shoulder joint. We have set up a soft tissue injury clinic that has facilitated timely diagnosis and treatment for some of these injuries.
Please refer to our common conditions section to understand your condition and how it can be treated with arthroscopic surgery where appropriate.
SPORTS & SOFT TISSUE INJURIES
Patients are assessed clinically and referred for further imaging if appropriate.
Conditions being treated at Our Shoulder Clinic:
1. Glenohumeral joint dislocations that have been reduced successfully and have no associated fractures.
2. Acromioclavicular joint dislocations.
3. Suspected traumatic rotator cuff tear: Patients aged over 45 who have had recent shoulder trauma and are unable to actively lift the arm above 90 degrees. Patients must have an X-Ray to exclude a fracture.
4. Biceps tendon ruptures, Pectoralis Major tendon ruptures and any other shoulder girdle soft tissue injury requiring specialist input / early intervention.
FRACTURE MANAGEMENT
Fractures of the shoulder girdle, arm and forearm bones and the elbow joint are common. They can result from a simple fall, an accident, a sporting injury or as part of multiple trauma. These injuries are incapacitating as they take you out of action for varying periods of time. If not treated in a timely fashion they can often leave you with a painful and stiff joint.
At Trinity Hospital, we have the combined expertise of specialised upper limb and trauma surgeons who deal with simple to complex fractures. Fractures are treated non-surgically in slings or splints when appropriate. Some of the fractures may need fixation using special plates like ‘Locking Plates’. Some of these complex fractures may require joint replacement as a primary option. We have an excellent support from our physiotherapy department who ensure that maximum gains are made following your fracture fixations to return you back to your daily activity and work without delay.
JOINT REPLACEMENT
Arthritis can affect the shoulder and elbow joints in the same way it affects joints in the lower limbs. Arthritis in the shoulder and elbow is a painful and disabling condition as it directly impacts on day-to-day tasks.
A number of different types of arthritis are seen in the upper limbs, the most common being Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Arthritis after injury/fracture and arthritis at the end stage of tendon tears in the shoulder( Cuff tear arthropathy).
Shoulder Hemi-replacement, Total shoulder replacement and Reverse Shoulder Replacement are now established procedures to address these painful conditions. As technology and our understanding of joint mechanics has evolved the results of joint replacements in the shoulder and elbow have improved steadily.
We follow latest techniques in shoulder replacements, using proven techniques. We have an excellent team of anaesthetists who provide expert anaesthetics for these operations by undertaking local anaesthetic block and thus provide lasting post surgery pain relief.
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Our team will be more than happy to discuss your arthritic condition with you in detail and plan an appropriate joint replacement for your painful joint if indicated. Please read the common conditions section to gain an insight into your problem.
