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Shoulder and Elbow Replacement / Care

Overview

What is Shoulder and Elbow Care?

Shoulder and elbow are a sub-speciality of orthopaedics dedicated to the medical and surgical care of the upper limbs, which care for some of the most delicate joints in the body. These joints, especially the shoulder, allow for our range of motion. Over years of use, through injury, or due to disease, the smooth cartilage and soft tissues that ensure seamless movement can break down. This can lead to stiffness, pain and a frustrating loss of ability for everyday tasks.

Surgery is a key aspect of shoulder and elbow care, but so is medical evaluation, performed by an orthopaedic specialist. They guide patients through the full spectrum of care, from non-surgical management to joint-preservation techniques as well as advanced procedures like shoulder joint replacement.

Types of Shoulder and Elbow Conditions

The sources of shoulder and elbow pain are varied, including both sudden injury and gradual wear. Osteoarthritis, the common ‘wear-and-tear’ arthritis, slowly erodes joint cartilage, leading to bone-on-bone friction. This is a primary reason patients eventually consider a total shoulder replacement. Rheumatoid arthritis, which is an inflammatory form of arthritis where the body’s immune system attacks the joint lining, can also damage these joints severely.

Acute injuries like fractures, dislocations and tears to crucial structures like the rotator cuff tendons or the ligaments stabilising the elbow, all require specialist care. We manage other conditions like frozen shoulder, nerve compression issues and complications from previous surgeries. Understanding the precise root cause, whether it’s degenerative, traumatic or inflammatory, is the essential first step in putting together an effective course of treatment at NMC.

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Joint pain is common, and knowing when to seek expert advice is key. Persistent shoulder or elbow pain that does not respond to rest or to common pain relievers and even to initial physiotherapy, would warrant a professional evaluation. If pain and stiffness begin to interrupt sleep, it should not be overlooked.

Having trouble with routine activities or pain when fully straightening an arm are clear signal that something needs attention. A feeling of the joint catching, locking or giving way or a progressive stiffening that limits range, are also telling signs. A discussion with our shoulder replacement doctors at NMC can clarify if reconstructive surgery is a suitable path for those with severe, arthritis-driven disability.

Scans alone do provide accurate diagnoses. Our doctors at NMC look into pain during consultations. They investigate its exact location, what makes it better or worse and, most importantly, how it disrupts daily routine. Primarily, examinations to assess one’s joint’s stability, strength, range of motion and any areas of tenderness are always conducted.

All our evaluations are supported by imaging. X-rays reveal the health of the joint space, the presence of arthritis or any bony abnormalities. When we need to evaluate the soft tissues, like the rotator cuff muscles, tendons or ligaments, an MRI scan provides exceptional detail. For complex cases, particularly when planning revision surgery or assessing intricate fractures, a CT scan may be used to create a detailed 3D model of the bone anatomy. These tools help us build a complete picture of our patient’s joint’s anatomy and function, which is critical for planning any treatment, whether non-surgical or surgical.

  • Advanced osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis of the shoulder and elbow
  • Full-thickness rotator cuff tears and biceps tendon injuries
  • Shoulder dislocations, instability and labral tears
  • Fractures of the humerus, clavicle, and elbow (olecranon, radial head)
  • Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) and shoulder impingement
  • Elbow conditions including tennis elbow, golfer's elbow and ligament instability
  • Nerve compression syndromes such as cubital tunnel syndrome
  • Revision surgery for previously failed operations or joint replacements

Our philosophy prioritises a step-by-step approach. At NMC hospitals and clinics in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain and across the UAE, we always explore non-surgical avenues first which may include structured physiotherapy programmes, activity modification or corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and pain. When surgery is required, our surgeons are experts in both minimally invasive arthroscopic (keyhole) procedures for repairing tendons and ligaments and in major open reconstructive surgery.

For severely arthritic joints, shoulder replacement surgery is a highly successful option. Highly skilled in various techniques, our shoulder replacement doctors can perform total shoulder replacements and also reverse geometry replacements for cases that are more complex. Pre-operative education and medical optimisation to post-operative rehabilitation, patients receive care that’s coordinated by a dedicated team of surgeons, anaesthetists, physiotherapists and nurses.

Our orthopaedic surgeons comprise sub-specialists with additional, focused training in the intricate mechanics of the shoulder and elbow. They are supported by a dedicated team of physiotherapists, nurses and anaesthetists who specialise in upper limb recovery.

We understand that considering surgery can be daunting. Our specialists in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain take the time to walk patients through diagnostic imagine, explain all available options and ensure all questions are answered, empowering them to make a confident and informed decision related to their care.

FAQs

Find the Answer to Your Medical Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Severe arthritis that disrupts daily life and sleep and X-rays confirming significant joint damage will usually be the reason a doctor would recommend a replacement.
Guided by physiotherapy, patients can expect to start moving their arms very early on with the potential of light desk work within a few weeks. Regaining full strength and motion is a gradual process. This can typically take 4 to 6 months of consistent rehab.
Not always. Keyhole surgery is great for fixing tendons or ligaments. However, when the joint surface itself is worn out and needs to be replaced, a different, open approach is required for the shoulder replacement surgery.
With normal use, you can expect your new joint to last 15 to 20 years, often longer. Your shoulder replacement doctors will discuss how your activity level and the implant type can affect its long-term success.
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