Shoulder pain is a common issue among people of all ages. When it cannot be managed conservatively, surgical treatment is recommended using minimally invasive techniques.
Shoulder Pain
Pain may occur during movement, worsen at night, or even be constant. It is usually accompanied by limited range of motion. In younger individuals, pain is often caused by injury or inflammation, while in older individuals, it is typically due to degenerative conditions, although trauma is also possible. Among athletes, in addition to acute injuries, pain may result from microtraumas due to poor technique or muscle imbalance.
The Most Common Shoulder Injuries Are:
- Tendon rupture or inflammation
- Dislocations
- Bursitis
- Arthritis
- Impingement syndromes
- Calcific tendinitis
- Fractures
When conservative treatment fails, pain is addressed surgically. There are two types of procedures:
- Arthroscopy, where even the smallest injuries can be repaired through tiny incisions, and
- Arthroplasty, which involves replacing the damaged part of the shoulder with a specialized implant.
Advances in Shoulder Surgery and Benefits for the Patient
Recent advances involve techniques, technology, and materials. The new techniques are minimally invasive, using much smaller incisions that cause minimal tissue trauma. Combined with fast-track anesthesia protocols, they allow for early mobilization of the shoulder—just hours after surgery—with minimal pain and hospital stay ranging from just a few hours to one (1) day, depending on the procedure. Patients can return quickly to their everyday activities with little discomfort.
The latest technologies include the use of digital and robotic systems, navigators, and custom surgical guides. We can now pre-plan the surgery in 3D based on each patient’s unique shoulder anatomy in a virtual computer environment. Navigators, robotic systems, and 3D-printed guides help us perform the surgery with millimeter-level precision according to this preoperative plan. These are custom-made procedures, tailored to each patient’s needs, ensuring optimal functional results.
New materials are extremely durable and biocompatible, offering long-lasting outcomes.
All of these innovations can now provide definitive solutions for shoulder pain.
⇒ Watch the video from Dr. Anastasios Deligeorgis’s interview on the show “OPEN Health – Medical News”.