Shoulder and elbow surgery treats pain and stiffness in your upper limbs that may be due to injury, wear and tear, or a long-term condition. It aims to restore the full use of your shoulder or elbow without pain.
Fractures, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, cartilage damage, tendon, ligament and muscle tears or damage, connective tissue thickening, nerve impingement, dislocation, and instability are responsible for most shoulder and elbow problems.
Common conditions that shoulder and elbow surgery treat include:
Common shoulder and elbow surgeries include
The cost of a shoulder and elbow surgery with Ramsay Health Care will depend on your shoulder or elbow condition or injury, the diagnostic tests required, your procedure, and your chosen Ramsay hospital.
Following your consultation with a shoulder and elbow surgeon, you will receive a written cost quote. This quotation is guaranteed for 60 days and includes unlimited aftercare.
Ramsay is recognised by all major medical insurers. Most schemes cover shoulder and elbow surgery. We advise you to obtain written authorisation from your medical insurance provider before your procedure.
We have a number of finance options to pay for your shoulder and elbow. These include interest-free finance with no deposit and monthly instalments at 0% interest, a one-off pre-agreed payment for All-inclusive Total Care that comes with unlimited aftercare, and pay-as-you-go that offers flexible funding to pay as and when costs arise.
The recovery process after a shoulder and elbow surgery will depend on the exact surgery you have, the severity of your condition, your pre-surgery fitness level, and your age. You should follow your surgeon’s advice for recovery.
Recovery after arthroscopy is shorter than open joint replacement surgery. You can usually go home after a few hours. You will need someone to drive you home.
It can take one week to several months to recover fully from an elbow or shoulder arthroscopy. This will depend on whether it was your elbow or shoulder joint as shoulder joints tend to take longer to recover from; whether you had any treatment, such as joint repair, during your arthroscopy; and your general state of health.
You may have pain and swelling for at least several weeks after arthroscopy that can be treated with over-the-counter pain relief. Your shoulder or elbow may need protection using a sling. Your expert Ramsay physiotherapist will give you individual exercises to improve your elbow or shoulder movement and strength. If you had a minor arthroscopy procedure, you may be able to return to work or school in a few days. You may need longer to recover from more major procedures.
Full recovery after a joint replacement can take up to six months. Recovery from elbow replacement surgery takes about three months and after shoulder replacement recovery takes three to six months.
After elbow replacement surgery some people go home the same day or the day after their surgery. You may need to wear a splint or a sling for a few days or weeks after surgery. You may also have a drain to avoid the pooling of fluids at your elbow. Your physiotherapist will advise you on the best exercises to help your recovery.
You can expect to go home after two to three days after shoulder replacement surgery. Typically, you will have a sling to support your arm and shoulder that you should wear for up to four weeks, including at night. Your physio will give you an exercise plan to help your recovery that will strengthen the muscles around your shoulder and help get your shoulder joint moving. They will also tell you some movements you should not do, including putting your arm behind your back. You should not lift anything heavy or play contact sports for at least six months. Depending on your job, you may be able to go back to work within two to three weeks after surgery, providing you avoid certain arm movements, such as lifting.
We will arrange a follow-up appointment with your spinal surgeon to see how you are getting on after your surgery.
Ramsay offers expert shoulder and elbow surgery to correct shoulder and elbow problems caused by aging, overuse, an accident, or a sports-related injury.
Our shoulder and elbow specialists work in a multidisciplinary team of highly trained nurses, consultant radiologists, and specialist upper limb physiotherapists. They provide rapid and accurate diagnosis and treatment of painful shoulder and elbow disorders and injuries.
X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasound scans can be arranged onsite with minimal delay. Experienced physiotherapists are available to offer tailored physiotherapy plans for non-surgical care and post-surgical rehabilitation treatment after shoulder and elbow surgery.
We understand that elbow and shoulder conditions and injuries can be very painful and limit your mobility. Our experienced team treats recreational and professional sports athletes, as well as people who are suffering from debilitating arthritis. Our aim is to get you back to a pain-free life as soon as possible.
Spread the cost of your treatment with fixed, monthly payments over a time period to suit you.
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We offer an alternative range of ways to pay, so you can choose which one best suits you and your finances.
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Use your private medical insurance to fund your treatment through our simple referral process.
Find out moreA shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that involves the use of a small camera, called an arthroscope. It aims to diagnose and treat various conditions affecting the shoulder joint, such as inflammation, injuries, or damaged tissues, and perform necessary surgical interventions.
Elbow arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that involves the use of a small camera, called an arthroscope. It aims to diagnose and treat various problems inside your elbow joint including elbow pain, stiffness, locking or swelling.
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