Common Procedures Performed by Orthopedic Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons

Your shoulders and elbows are complex joints that play a significant role in everyday activities. You use them often, so they are prone to injuries. Orthopedic shoulder and elbow surgeons diagnose and treat conditions affecting these joints. The professionals are highly trained to do minimally-invasive and invasive procedures. Shoulder and elbow conditions can be severe, affecting your daily activities. Your La Jolla, CA orthopedic shoulder & elbow surgeon attends to these joint disorders to help alleviate pain and restore your range of motion. Below are common procedures performed by shoulder and elbow surgeons.

Elbow bursitis surgery

Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursae. It usually affects joints with the greatest strain, including your elbow, shoulder, and hip. If you have a severe case of bursitis, your doctor may recommend arthroscopic elbow bursitis surgery. The operation involves your surgeon inserting an arthroscope attached to a small lens through a tiny incision in your elbow. The lens allows your surgeon to see the disorders and make suitable repairs to your joint.

Surgery for rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis is a common type of arthritis that affects your elbow. This arthritis develops when your immune system attacks your body tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis affects the joint lining, causing painful swelling, and you may also have bone erosion. Your provider may recommend elbow surgery if non-surgical techniques do not relieve your symptoms. Surgery may involve your elbow specialist removing the inflamed joint linings, repairing torn tendons, joint fusion, or removing and replacing the affected joint part with a prosthetic.

Surgery for tennis elbow

Tennis elbow develops when your elbow tendons are overworked, usually through repetitive wrist and arm motions. This condition may cause severe pain. The pain may spread to your forearm and wrist, making it difficult to grasp objects or shake hands. Tennis elbow mostly affects athletes, plumbers, and carpenters. Your elbow surgeon may recommend ultrasonic tenotomy to treat your tennis elbow. The treatment involves your surgeon inserting a special needle through your skin, and ultrasonic energy vibrates it rapidly. This vibration helps liquefy the damaged tissues, which the specialist removes through a suction.

Rotator cuff repair

The rotator cuff is a common shoulder surgery. Your doctor can recommend this treatment if a fall, injury, or tear does not respond to non-surgical techniques. Rotator cuff repair involves your orthopedic shoulder surgeon identifying the affected section of your rotator cuff and repairing any torn or damaged tendons. This treatment helps reduce pain and increase joint functioning.

Shoulder replacement

Shoulder replacement involves your specialist replacing the ball and socket of your shoulder joint with an artificial metal ball and a plastic socket. This surgery can be beneficial if you have advanced arthritis in your shoulder. Surgeons may also perform shoulder replacement to treat complex fractures and other shoulder issues that do not respond to non-surgical treatments. Shoulder replacement help relieves pain and improves the range of motion.

Shoulder and elbow surgeons are trained to deal with mild to severe conditions affecting these joints. Schedule an appointment at Upper Extremity Specialists of Ortho 1 Medical Group for shoulder and elbow injury treatment to restore your range of motion.