Watch video of Shoulder anatomy and rotator cuff here
Shoulder resurfacing patient experience
Shoulder injuries cut short the career of many sportsmen. Sportsmen in games like cricket, javelin throw, volleyball, basketball, baseball, rugby, football suffer shoulder injuries due to throwing or accidents. They can learn about their painful shoulder from the conditions listed here.
Rotator cuff tears & injuries are the leading cause of shoulder pain after middle age. Arthroscopic assisted mini open repair or all arthroscopic repair are equally effective in relieving pain. Massive tears in the elderly can be treated by arthroscopic sub-acromial decompression alone.
The commonest type of Dislocation or instability is to the front (anterior) and results after an injury. Other types are posterior (to the back) and multi directional in which there is a downwards or inferior component. This type can result without any trauma. Instability can present as a dead arm syndrome in sportsmen and swimmers. These are assessed by examination under anesthesia and shoulder arthroscopy. Treatment for the commonest anterior type is by an anatomical repair called Shoulder stabilization. For multi directional instability rehabilitation is the best treatment. Thermal capsulorraphy & Inferior capsular shift are surgical forms of treatment for this condition. People who use their arm in throwing can develop internal impingement and SLAP lesions. Arthroscopic repair is the best method for SLAP lesions.
Stiffness is the commonest complaint amongst Diabetics, post injury or surgery. Exercises are advised initially. Resistant cases are advised arthroscopic release or manipulation under anesthesia.
Elderly people sustain fractures of the upper humerus. Minimally invasive methods of fixation with sutures, nails and wires
are used for fixation. In severe fractures, replacement of the upper humerus may be indicated (hemi-arthroplasty). Resurfacing or Total shoulder replacement is advised for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, post traumatic arthritis, avascular necrosis and rotator cuff arthropathy.
The surgeon
Dr.A.K.Venkatachalam is a consultant Orthopaedic surgeon in Chennai
with over twenty four years of experience. He has pioneered Shoulder
resurfacing, arthroscopic & minimally invasive surgery shoulder
in Chennai. He is on the panel of experts in Orthopaedics
for www.doctorndtv.com &
www.gulfmd.com He has
been invited to present guest lectures in the UAE and India. He
was a consultant orthopedic surgeon in Dubai and Oman before this.
