Shoulder Treatments – Joint Clinic Paarl

Anatomic shoulder replacement surgery

Saltlicker — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 10:10:28 +0000

The surgical replacement of the shoulder joint is the third most common joint replacement after replacement of the hip and knee joints. Like the hip, the shoulder is a ball and socket joint. However, the shoulder ‘socket’ is much more shallow to allow a greater range of movement at the cost of bony stability.

Shoulder joint replacement can be:

Partial: one articular surface is replaced, the humeral head; also known as shoulder hemiarthroplasty.
Total: both articular surfaces are replaced by prostheses; also known as shoulder arthroplasty.
Reverse: both articular surfaces are replaced but with the ‘ball’ on the glenoid and the ‘cup’, or ‘socket’ on the humerus.This is to medialise the joint centre of rotation in order to maximise the lever arm of the deltoid muscle in rotator cuff deficiency.

With an anatomic total shoulder replacement, the ball (humeral head) of the shoulder joint is replaced with an implant that includes a stem with a smooth, rounded metal head. The socket (glenoid) is replaced with a smooth, specialized plastic that is cemented into place. In essence, the diseased cartilage is removed and resurfaced with the two components. The goal is to perform a replacement that matches the patient’s anatomy as closely as possible.

In order for the replacement to be stable, anatomic arthroplasty requires that the rotator cuff is functioning. The rotator cuff helps the shoulder move and most important helps keep the ball in the socket or provides stability to the shoulder. If the rotator cuff is not functioning, the replacement will move abnormally, leading to lower function and loosening of the components. If the rotator cuff is functioning stability is maintained, and function can be excellen

Reverse shoulder replacement surgery

Daan Botes — Sun, 29 Mar 2020 14:16:16 +0000

You’ll get a reverse shoulder replacement if you have a torn rotator cuff. It’s also done when another shoulder replacement surgery didn’t work. The metal ball gets attached to your shoulder bones, and a socket is implanted at the top of your arm.

Decompression of the AC joint

Daan Botes — Sat, 28 Mar 2020 19:28:08 +0000

The acromioclavicular (AC) joint may require surgery for several reasons, such as arthritis, injuries, or a separation, which occurs when the joint becomes dislocated, or moves out of place.

Subacromial decompression surgery

Saltlicker — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 10:08:59 +0000

Subacromial decompression, also called shoulder decompression surgery, is a treatment for shoulder impingement syndrome. In this condition, the rotator cuff tendon becomes caught between a bone called the acromion and the ball-joint of the shoulder. It is characterized by inflammation, pain and reduced range of motion.

Rotator Cuff Repair

Saltlicker — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 10:09:53 +0000

Your rotator cuff is made up of the muscles and tendons in your shoulder. These muscles and tendons connect your upper arm bone with your shoulder blade. They also help hold the ball of your upper arm bone firmly in your shoulder socket. The combination results in the greatest range of motion of any joint in your body.

A rotator cuff injury includes any type of irritation or damage to your rotator cuff muscles or tendons. Causes of a rotator cuff injury may include falling, lifting and repetitive arm activities — especially those done overhead, such as throwing a baseball or placing items on overhead shelves.

About half of the time, a rotator cuff injury can heal with self-care measures or exercise therapy.

Biceps tenodesis

Daan Botes — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 14:17:00 +0000

This procedure is indicated for the treatment for partial or full-thickness biceps tendon tears, severe biceps tendonopathy, or biceps instability associated with a rotator cuff tears. Biceps tenodesis involves detaching the LHB from it’s superior labrum in the shoulder and reattached to the humerus bone just below the shoulder.