Sports Shoulder Surgery in Brisbane

Sports shoulder surgery is a speciality that requires a surgeon to have an in-depth knowledge of the bones, tissues and tendons involved in the joint. This means that a specialist can repair or replace a damaged shoulder joint with much less traumatic techniques than traditional surgery.

Dr Ashish Gupta is one of a few surgeons in Australia who specialises entirely on shoulder problems. He practises at Greenslopes Private and Mater Public Hospitals in Brisbane.

Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy, also called keyhole surgery, is a safe and effective way to treat a variety of joint problems. It uses very small incisions to treat knee osteoarthritis and shoulder pain without a lot of scarring or risk of blood loss.

The procedure consists of making a few small incisions and passing a fibre-optic viewing instrument (arthroscope) into the joint. The surgeon can then examine the problem area and make a diagnosis using images from the arthroscope on a video monitor.

After the diagnosis, treatment may include arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, rotator cuff tendon repairs, and shoulder replacement. Physical therapy is also recommended to help you improve mobility, strength, and range of motion after the procedure.

The recovery from arthroscopy is faster and less painful than with open shoulder or knee surgery, which usually involves large incisions. But you may still need a period of rest from strenuous activity. It’s important to take care of your incisions and follow your doctor’s instructions.

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is the most common surgical treatment for a shoulder that has suffered a partial or complete tear of one or more of the tendons of the rotator cuff. These tears can occur over time through bone spurs, poor blood supply or repetitive strain, or as a result of sudden trauma.

Using an arthroscope, a small camera that is inserted into the shoulder through a tiny incision is used to examine the rotator cuff, ligaments and cartilage for damage. The images are relayed on a monitor to allow your surgeon to carry out the necessary repairs.

Rotator cuff surgery is usually performed under a general anaesthetic. It is a minimally invasive procedure that often results in less pain and stiffness, fewer complications, a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery than open surgery. However, it is important to remember that the body still needs time to heal after arthroscopic shoulder surgery and you may not regain all of your strength.

Rotator cuff tendon repair

Rotator cuff tendon repair is surgery to fix a tear or tear-like injury in the rotator cuff tendons. It can help reduce pain and improve function.

Symptoms of a torn rotator cuff can include shoulder pain, weakness and difficulty raising the arm overhead. These symptoms usually get better with rest, ice packs and special exercises.

A partial tear or a full tear may require surgery to repair the torn tendon and to remove any bone spurs from the underside of the acromion. The surgeon can use either an arthroscopic or open repair technique.

Arthroscopic repairs are less invasive and use small cuts instead of a traditional large incision. A tiny camera called an arthroscope and specialized instruments are used to repair the rotator cuff.

A full recovery from rotator cuff repair can take months, and you may need to wear a sling for some time as the joint heals. You can return to activities gradually and should not lift more than 2 kg (around 4 lbs) for the first six weeks.

Shoulder replacement

Shoulder replacement is a common surgery to replace the damaged shoulder joint with an artificial device. This is usually done to treat pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or other conditions that affect the shoulder and cause loss of motion.

Shoulder surgery is generally carried out by a specialist orthopaedic surgeon, under either general anaesthetic or regional anaesthetic. Your arm will be placed in a sling for a few weeks and you’ll receive pain medications and antibiotics to help you recover.

Your doctor may recommend a local or regional nerve block to keep your pain down during the first few days after surgery. You’ll also be given oral drugs to ease your discomfort.

After your surgery, you’ll go to physical therapy to help your new shoulder regain mobility and strength. You’ll need someone to take you to your appointments and give you support at home while you recover.