Shoulder & elbow surgery

Both shoulders and elbows provide a lot of movement and function to the upper limb. Unfortunately, they can be damaged quite easily by:

• Acute trauma – for example, a hard knock to the shoulder during a game of rugby, causing it to dislocate 
• Chronic trauma – this is injury to the joint caused over a longer time, often by a repetitive movement or overuse 
• Inflammation 
• ‘Wear and tear’ degeneration – often a natural result of ageing, but some diseases can accelerate this process

Problems in an elbow or shoulder tend to cause certain symptoms. Some of the symptoms people visit The Highfield Hospital for help with include:

• Pain and/or inflammation 
• Stiffness 
• Weakness  
• Instability or dislocations
• Pain at the end of the collarbone (clavicle) 
• Unusual noises when the joint is moved, like popping, clicking or grinding

As we age, we are more likely to start noticing degenerative changes in our joints, but these can also affect younger people.

When an elbow or shoulder problem is causing you pain or starting to interfere with daily life, you’ll appreciate quick, simple access to an expert for assessment and treatment advice. It’s very easy to book an appointment with an experienced Consultant Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon at The Highfield Hospital, so that you can benefit from any treatment needed sooner.  

Given how complex the shoulder and elbow are, it is no wonder they are also quite prone to damage. Some of the conditions that frequently affect them include:

• Osteoarthritis – a degenerative condition causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder or elbow, making movement increasingly difficult.  
• Frozen shoulder – Progresses through three distinct phases: freezing, frozen, thawing. Each phase has its own mix of pain and stiffness   
• Rotator cuff injury – the rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that help keep the shoulder in position. When damaged, it can cause pain in the shoulder, most specifically when the arm is moved out to the side 
• Tennis Elbow – caused by a repetitive twisting movement 
• Golfer’s Elbow – caused by a repetitive gripping movement 
• Recurrent shoulder dislocation 
• Bursitis - inflammation of a fluid-filled sac (bursa) 
• Bicep tendon rupture – causes severe pain at either the shoulder or elbow (depending on where the tear occurs). Bruising may also occur 
• Sports injuries – incredibly common, these can vary from a relatively mild sprain through to a fracture. Acute trauma like this would usually be treated initially by the NHS in A&E 

If you have any shoulder or elbow symptoms that are concerning you, it’s reassuring to know that good help is available for you, quickly.  

When you first meet with your Consultant at The Highfield Hospital, they will take a clinical history and ask you in detail about your symptoms. They will want to know things like: 

• What symptoms you have 
• How long you’ve had these symptoms 
• Whether there was an obvious cause (for example, a fall onto your arm) 
• What your job is 
• Whether you have received any treatment already, such as physiotherapy

They will usually carry out a detailed examination of your entire upper limb, checking the strength, mobility and function you currently have in it. 

Due to the complexity of the shoulder and elbow, additional investigations may be needed. Usually this will be an X-ray to demonstrate any obvious bony abnormalities, but soft tissue concerns such as elbow bursitis or a rotator cuff tear will often require an ultrasound or MRI scan. 

Our diagnostic capabilities include X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound and nerve conduction testing, all of which can be quickly arranged. On-site radiologists help ensure a fast turnaround of test results, so that any treatment needed can be planned sooner.  

Even though you will be seeing a Consultant Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon, many shoulder and elbow problems can be treated successfully without surgery. Non-surgical treatments can include: 

• Physiotherapy and exercise programmes 
• Pain relief medication (analgesia) 
• Steroid Injections

If these non-surgical treatments don’t relieve your symptoms, surgery may be advised.

Many types of surgery in the elbow and shoulder can be done using minimally invasive keyhole surgery (arthroscopy). This approach can provide a faster recovery. Other types of surgery will be done as open surgery.

A frozen shoulder will often resolve itself naturally, and physiotherapy and steroid injections will often help manage symptoms. However, some people will have much more severe pain or stiffness that just does not respond to these treatments. A keyhole surgical release may be carried out to relieve symptoms.

Rotator cuff tears will often need to be surgically repaired. This is normally done by keyhole surgery (known as shoulder arthroscopy). 

When osteoarthritis in the shoulder is severe, shoulder replacement surgery can be carried out, replacing the damaged, worn joint with a new artificial one (known as a prosthesis). This can be done in different ways and your Consultant will explain the best option for your specific shoulder to ensure you see the best results.

If you need any type of surgery for your shoulder or elbow condition, it will be fully explained to you, with your Consultant explaining the expected benefits as well as any potential risks or complications you need be aware of.

Treatment will always be planned to your specific requirements, to ensure you see the best results possible. 

Situated conveniently on the outskirts of Rochdale Town Centre, The Highfield Hospital is easily accessible by public and personal transport. While we see and treat many people from the local area, others travel from other parts of Lancashire and even further afield to benefit from the expertise of our Consultant Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons.

When you choose The Highfield Hospital for your shoulder or elbow treatment, you will benefit from:  

• Fast access to expert help – when you’re struggling with pain or stiffness in your elbow, you’ll want to be seen as soon as possible. We can quickly and easily book you an appointment with one of the top shoulder and elbow specialists in the region, so that you can get back to better function, mobility and strength in your arm again, sooner.
• Rapid turnaround of diagnostic tests – on-site radiologists provide reports on diagnostic scans quickly, so your Consultant will be able to start planning your treatment at an earlier stage.   
• Convenient appointments – with appointments available throughout the week, it will be easy to book a time that’s good for you. For your convenience, bookings can be made online or by telephone.
• Multidisciplinary team – your Consultant has fast access to input from radiologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurses...and more! This multidisciplinary team approach means you will always see the most appropriate specialist for your particular condition at every stage. 
• Excellent aftercare – shoulder and elbow surgery requires excellent rehabilitation support to ensure you get as much movement and function back in the joint as possible. An experienced team of physiotherapists will work closely with you to make sure your recovery is carried out safely and at the right pace.
• As recommended by patients – In an independent survey, an incredible 99.1% of our patients said they were likely or highly likely to recommend us to their friends and family. 

For peace of mind and expert care for your shoulder and elbow concerns, why not book your appointment today? We really look forward to welcoming you to The Highfield Hospital soon and helping to get you back to better shoulder and elbow health once again.