Shoulder & elbow surgery

Our specialists are experts in quickly and accurately diagnosing shoulder and elbow injuries, whether the cause is injury, or longer-term wear and tear.

You will quickly learn exactly what’s wrong and receive a personalised treatment plan that minimises pain, restores function, and gets you back to doing what you want to do, as quickly as possible.

Patients come to us with a wide range of problems, the most common of which are:

• Shoulder pain
• Elbow pain
• Weakness or stiffness
• Instability/ dislocation (e.g. ACJ)
• Fractures (e.g. collar bone, elbow and radial head)
• Tennis elbow
• Golfer's elbow
• Arthritic conditions
• Tears (e.g. rotator cuffs)

We treat patients of all ages and all backgrounds, ranging from elite sportspeople, to those who want to improve their day-to-day quality of life.

We have an expert team on site to support your treatment, including physiotherapists, sports and exercise consultants, radiologists, neurologists and more, to make sure your recovery is as fast, effective and convenient as possible.

If you are coming to us directly (rather than via GP or insurance referral), we offer very competitively priced self-pay packages, along with payment plan options to help make private healthcare accessible and affordable for all.

When you visit our consultants you are assured fast access to leading specialists, as well as cutting-edge diagnostic equipment.

There is a wide range of possible treatments that your consultant will consider, including:

• Therapeutic: this includes changes to exercise regimes and rehabilitation through physiotherapy
• Medical: painkillers (analgesia) and injections (steroid and platelet rich plasma (PRP))
• Surgical: arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery, open surgery (designed to be as minimally invasive as possible, for quick recovery)

We put great emphasis on treating each patient as an individual and ensuring diagnosis and treatment takes into account every possible facet of your condition.

If your complaint is a complex one, you will benefit from our multi-disciplinary approach, where our specialists meet to discuss more challenging cases, leveraging a wide range of skills, approaches and viewpoints to ensure you are treated as quickly, safely, and effectively as possible.

Whatever your patient journey, you can be assured that you will see the same consultant all the way through, and all your treatment will all take place under one roof, ensuring continuity of care.

We put the patient experience at the heart of everything we do. From the first moment you come to us to the moment you are discharged, we aim to make the process as speedy, comfortable and reassuring as possible for you.

While there is no ‘typical’ patient, you can expect to go through these steps:

Referral

We accept patients via referrals from GPs or health insurance providers, as well as private patients who simply book a consultation directly.

We aim to arrange a private consultation for you within as little as 48 hours from referral or first contact, at a time that is convenient for you.

Consultation

Your consultant will talk to you for 20-30 minutes about your specific circumstances and needs. This gives us enough time to understand your concerns and medical history, which will help us ensure you receive the correct diagnosis.

Your specialist will discuss the problem, how long it has been going on, and the impact it is having, as well as your recovery goals and a host of other aspects.

They will then conduct a thorough examination and are likely to request a scan (MRI, X-ray, or ultrasound) so they can offer a comprehensive diagnosis.

Unless your problem is trauma-related (which will be dealt with immediately), you will have a follow-up consultation within a few days to discuss a treatment plan.

Treatment and after-care

Once you have agreed on the solution to your problem, medical treatments can be obtained at our on site pharmacy and you can begin physio at your convenience with our on-site team.

If surgery is necessary, we aim to book this for around two weeks after your diagnosis and all procedures are followed by physiotherapy, as well as further consultations with your specialist to monitor your recovery.

When you visit The London Independent Hospital for your shoulder or elbow treatment in East London, you will benefit from:

• Rapid access to an expert in hip health - shoulder or elbow pain can have a significant impact on your daily life. You can see a consultant who is a specialist in their field, at a time that suits you, even if that’s early morning, in the evening, or at the weekend. You can book a consultation with just 5-clicks via our website.
• Bespoke approach -  you can choose the consultant who is the best fit for you, whether that’s for reasons of culture, gender, religion, language, or just personality. Your consultant will also tailor your treatment plan, using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to ensure an accurate diagnosis and an appropriate treament for you. 
• Comprehensive physiotherapy support - our experienced on-site physiotherapy team will work closely with you before and after any surgery to help you regain strength, movement and function in the shoulder or elbow at a sensible pace. Your Consultant will oversee all aspects of your treatment to ensure you continue to see the best results and symptom relief possible for your condition.
• Recommended by our patients - in an independent survey, 96.6% of the patients we treated, said they were likely or extremely likely to recommend The London Independent Hospital to their family and friends. 
• Multi-disciplinary team -  our multi-disciplinary approach means you can see your consultant, have diagnostics, surgery/treatment and rehabilitation in one hospital; a clean and familiar environment with friendly faces.
• Friendly environment - across the board our staff - from reception staff, to nurses and theatre staff - are highly trained in their specific roles, truly care about patients, and pride themselves on being friendly and welcoming (and they love giving directions if you get a bit lost!) 

If you are concerned about any symptoms in your shoulder or elbow, like pain, stiffness, instability or limited movement, it can be sensible to meet with an expert to get things assessed and investigated. For peace of mind and expert care for your shoulder or elbow condition, why not book your appointment today. We look forward to welcoming you to The London Independent Hospital soon