Shoulder Operations

Shoulder Replacement

Total shoulder replacement (TSR) is the third most common form of joint replacement after the hip and knee. It is used to treat painful arthritis of the shoulder and is generally very reliable in alleviating pain and improving motion. Standard shoulder replacement treats shoulder arthritis in the setting of an intact rotator cuff. A reverse TSR is an option for patients whose rotator cuff is deficient.

Rotator Cuff Surgery

Rotator cuff tears are a common finding as one ages. In some cases these tears are large or do not respond to non-operative measures and a repair is required. The surgery is done using a keyhole inspection of the joint and a mini open incision (typically ∼3cm) to repair the torn tendon with absorbable anchors. The rehabilitation is long (6 months) but results in reliable healing and return of function.

Shoulder Arthroscopy

Keyhole surgery of the shoulder can be used to treat a variety of conditions of the shoulder joint including: impingement and bursitis, calcific tendinopathy, biceps problems, AC joint degeneration and instability. Two or three small incisions are used to visualize the joint and treat the specific condition. Recovery is determined by the pathology being treated but pain is kept to a minimum.