Dealing with shoulder or elbow pain? Our experts can get you the help you need, fast
The shoulder is considered to be the most mobile joint in the body, capable of movement in every direction. This wide range of motion means it is very susceptible to injury.
You may notice symptoms particularly during certain activities, such as at work, hunched over a computer, or when playing sport. Pain is the main indicator of a shoulder or elbow issue. It can lead to disturbed sleep, where you find you can’t get comfortable. The pain in your shoulder is often worse at night as you’re lying on it.
The point when sleep is affected like this is often when patients seek medical help, as the pain has become invasive. If you’ve reached this point and don’t want to wait long for treatment, at Mount Alvernia we prioritise getting you in for a consultation at your earliest convenience.
General symptoms of a shoulder or elbow concern include:
Symptoms experienced in your shoulders and or upper body could indicate several conditions that may require treatment, including surgery, such as:
The cost of your surgery will depend on your individual circumstances. At the time of your appointment, your consultant will discuss all options with you and ensure all your questions are answered. If you would like a quote based on your symptoms, give us a call directly. Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a period that suits you.
Treatment for back pain will often be covered by private health insurance policies. Speak to your insurer directly to find out.
Many conditions of the shoulder and elbow will get better over time with enough rest. At Mount Alvernia, our expert physiotherapy team can work closely with you to provide a personalised rehabilitation programme to help maintain your mobility and strengthen your muscles while you recover. Conditions such as tennis elbow and Golfer’s elbow usually occur through overuse of the forearm muscles, so a period of rest can dramatically improve symptoms.
Activity modification may need to be considered, either reducing the time spent on a particular activity or cutting it out entirely. This is most appropriate if you find your symptoms are exacerbated by a specific activity, and your consultant can advise you accordingly.
We also work closely with our rheumatology department, who can help you manage your condition with disease-modifying medication. This is especially effective for those diagnosed with arthritis.
Other non-invasive treatments include steroid injections, which can be performed under ultrasound guidance to increase accuracy, usually providing even better results.
If your symptoms are severe, or they have been unresponsive to other conservative treatments, surgery may be a necessary option. Tendon tears are best treated sooner rather than later, as early treatment normally gives a better outcome. Over time, tears can retract, even becoming irreparable if left without treatment, as the muscle atrophies (wastes away), reducing the likelihood of a successful surgery.
Don’t delay any further if you have persistent symptoms in your shoulder or elbow – with a straightforward consultation and diagnosis, your consultant can advise you on the best treatment plan for your condition, providing a range of options to help bring you relief.
Your consultant will begin your appointment by taking a detailed medical history, as well as asking you about the symptoms you’ve been dealing with. They will most likely want to know:
They might ask questions, such as:
If you are in pain, can you describe it? Is it a sharp pain or does it radiate down your arm? Is the pain constant or only at certain times?
This may be followed by a physical examination of your affected limb to assess your condition. Your consultant will press and manipulate your shoulder or elbow to see where the pain or other symptoms rise most.
Typically, your consultant will also wish to see an X-ray to get a clearer picture of the affected area. If this hasn’t been done previously, it can be arranged on-site here at Mount Alvernia at our imaging department.
Depending on your symptoms, you may also require an MRI, CT, or ultrasound scan. This will show your soft tissues and highlight any concerns, such as a tendon tear or impingement.
For most conditions, this is enough to confirm an accurate diagnosis, and your consultant can outline options to you with a personalised treatment plan. This can include non-invasive treatments, such as steroid injections, physiotherapy, or medication.
Suspected tendon tears may need to be assessed arthroscopically. This form of keyhole surgery that involves your consultant making a number of small incisions in your arm to feed through a small camera to help visualise your tissue and tendons. The benefit of this procedure is that tendon tears can often be treated at the same time, as the incisions allow access for surgical tools to help repair the damage. This type of procedure is often done as a day case, meaning you can go home the same day as the operation.
Rotator cuff injuries are often repaired in this way, or with ‘mini-open’ surgery, depending on the extent of the tear. As with any other condition, in most cases there will be an alternative form of treatment, and your consultant will clearly explain all your options, allowing you to make an informed decision on how best to proceed.
There are many types of surgical procedures that can help treat and reduce pain in your shoulders and elbows.
These can include some of the following:
The type of surgery you’ll receive will depend on the issue affecting your upper body. Your consultant will discuss which surgery will be most appropriate for your condition.
The length of your procedure will depend on the type of surgery you are recommended. Roughly, surgery on your shoulder or elbow may take between 30 minutes to 2 hours to complete.
If you are curious about the time it will take for your consultant to complete your specific surgery, make sure to ask any questions you may have about your procedure beforehand. Our experts are more than happy to answer any queries you may have.
Your consultant will walk you through what your recovery journey will look like after the operation and help provide support in aiding your healing process. They will also advise when you can start returning to normal day-to-day activities again such as driving and exercise.
In terms of being able to straighten and rotate your arm or joints, particularly after elbow surgery, you can typically start gently working towards straightening the elbow within the first few weeks with the help of our orthopaedic team. However, being able to comfortably straighten your arm nearly fully often takes 6–12 weeks, and full recovery can take several months. The exact timing will depend on the type of surgery you have and how stable the repair is.
By choosing to have your treatment at Mount Alvernia, you’ll be able to take advantage of all these great benefits:
You will have support from our wide network of expert medical professionals across a variety of specialities every step of the way during your treatment.
To book a consultation to discuss shoulder and elbow surgery with an orthopaedic surgeon near you, use our online booking system, or give us a call and one of our dedicated advisors will help you find an appointment time that suits you.
Reception: 01483 570122
Mon-Sun: 7am - 9pm
Visiting hours: 9am - 9pm
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