Seven things you must know about shoulder problems and shoulder surgery
Shoulder surgery can be the answer to all sorts of shoulder problems related to the surrounding muscles, known as the rotator cuff, stabilising tissue called the labrum, or the shoulder joint itself. shoulder surgery is usually recommended following detailed examination by Shoulder Specialist/Surgeon. That examination will comprise of a comprehensive analysis of your medical history, a thorough physical checkup and procedures such as X-rays, ultrasound or CT/MRI scan.
As is the case with any other types of surgery, the success of the surgery is based on several factors, including your age, weight, fitness level, immunity, time since injury, experience of your surgical team and the level of damage in your shoulder.
What should I know about shoulder surgery?
- Your shoulder has a wide range of possible movements, making it the most flexible joint in your body. However, arthritis, frozen shoulder and rotator cuff tears can have a massive impact on that range of motion, either because of pain, tear or obstruction of motion, or a combination of them.
- The preferred procedure for the treatment of rotator cuff tears is surgically treating it by a form of keyhole surgery known as arthroscopy. Usually the surgery gets completed within few hours of procedure and requires the least possible time to recover and get back to your daily routine.
- Frozen shoulder occurs because of stiffening of the tissue around the shoulder joint due to adhesions. Shoulder surgery for frozen shoulder may also be carried out by arthroscopy and entails the surgeon cutting through the adhesions that are found there. This procedure also gives the surgeon an opportunity to check and validate the cause of the pain, which may also be bone spur.
- Bone spurs can from in any joint in the body, including the shoulder, and are caused by new growths of bone that form lumps where they shouldn’t be. The spurs cause problems when they impact on nerves, obstruct movement of joints or rub against other tissues. Someone with a bone spur shoulder is likely to experience symptoms such as stiffness and pain, numbness and pins and needles. Surgery involves shaving away the bony lump and opening up the joint space.
- In certain cases like arthritis, total shoulder replacement is the only solution. The stage for total shoulder replacement comes when the pain is severe, and the movement is extremely restricted. The procedure involves removing a portion of the damaged part by artificial aids, just as in the case of knee or hip replacement.
- Immediately following any type of shoulder surgery, you will be given a shoulder sling in order to keep your shoulder joint in a fixed position for quick recovery. The period during which you will have to keep the sling worn will depend on the injury and the surgery you had.
- Until your shoulder is restored, you may have to modify your sleeping position in order to avoid lying on the affected side and putting further pressure on to it. A post-surgery care and treatment is necessary and will be advised by your specialist. You will be given set of workouts to be followed regularly and these will help toughen your joint and muscles, reduce inflammation and stiffness and will get you back to your regular routine in minimum time possible.