Elbow & Shoulder Replacement

Elbow Replacement Surgery

Elbow can be damaged by problems ranging from rheumatoid arthritis, advanced joint diseases, and traumatic fractures, etc. In a few cases, the damage can be surgically repaired. But if the damage is extensive, your surgeon may recommend you to go ahead with Elbow Replacement or Elbow Arthroplasty. During the surgery, the damaged bone surface and cartilages are removed and replaced with artificial surfaces, called implants. These implants are made of metal and durable plastic material. So, as a result, one part is fitted into the humerus; the upper arm and the other part fits into the ulna; the forearm which is then connected by a locking pin. The resulting hinge allows the elbow to bend. The procedure helps to restore motion, reduce painful bone-on-bone contact and enhance the quality of life.

Ankle Replacement Surgery

The ankle is the most commonly injured joint in the body and it bears the most weight per square centimeter. Ankle Replacement also called as Ankle Arthroplasty, is a surgical option for patients with arthritis of the ankle. It is performed by orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon to treat the end-stage ankle arthritis. Two common surgeries are often recommended when non-surgical techniques such as bracing, physiotherapy, steroid injections, etc., fail to relieve an individual of pain. These include:

Ankle Arthrodesis (Fusion)

During this surgical procedure done through a larger incision, the two bones that normally move in the ankle are transformed into one solid bone that no longer moves post-operative. Typically, screws or both plates and screws are used to stabilize the fusion. This surgery does not help in movement but it benefits dramatically in pain reduction.Total Ankle Arthroplasty (Ankle Replacement)Unlike Ankle Arthrodesis, with Total Ankle Arthroplasty, the motion is preserved at the ankle. This is largely possible due to new implant design which offers better success rates than older designs. Besides, the surgery reduces the stress on the joints of the foot.

Total Shoulder Replacement

Total Shoulder Arthroplasty (TSA) is a surgical procedure for treating the severe pain and stiffness that often result at the end stage of various forms of arthritis or degenerative joint disease of the shoulder joint. The primary goal of Shoulder Replacement Surgery is pain relief, with a secondary benefit of restoring motion, strength, function, etc.

Total Shoulder Replacement is recommended to patients who have shoulder pain due to arthritis that cannot be controlled with non-operative treatments such as anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections, etc. It is also advised to patients who experience progressive stiffness and loss of motion within shoulder joint, or in conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis or osteoarthritis which may be associated with a stiff elbow or a stiff shoulder.

In addition, the surgery is also beneficial for patients experiencing loss or paralysis of both rotator cuff, or patients with a progressive disease of the nervous system that has affected the joint.