For those who suffer from the extreme effects of arthritis in the shoulder / or elbow, surgery is an option that may need to be considered. Consulting with an Orthopaedic Surgeon, the doctor will determine how surgery will best treat the patient's condition. The doctor may consider a basic Arthroscopic procedure, that decompresses the shoulder joint. This normally entails day surgery, and the patient is discharged from hospital later that day.
Depending on the condition and how severe it is, the doctor may also determine to undertake a half shoulder replacement, or simply perform a resurfacing of the shoulder joint. As a last resort, the condition may have done so much damage, that a total shoulder replacement is required.
Some of the key issues the doctor determines before performing surgery, are as follows:-
* If there are bone fragments in the socket
* If there is the presence of a rotator cuff tear
* If the fluids in the shoulder have dwindled
* The age and activity of the patient
* The degree of the arthritis
ELBOW - The elbow is a lot more complex than first imagined. With the elbow there are many ligaments, cartlidges and tendons that aid in keeping muscles attached to the arm, enabling for the arm to move. The main aim of surgery on the elbow (Arthroscopy) is to treat any defects with the bones and to treat any injuries to the cartlidges, tendons and ligaments. It is not uncommon for arthritis sufferers to undergo an elbow debridement, to remove any joint damage that may have occured, or for the joint to be smoothed down to enable better movement in the arm.
The doctor will also examine any ligaments, cartlidges, tendons and muscles to ensure that there are not any tears that have occured due to swelling or from the rough surface of the joint. Surgery should be a last resort for arthritis sufferers, and before considering this course of action, consultation with a doctor specialised in this field is imperative.
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Price - $50.00
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