Tag Archives: Shoulder Resurfacing Procedure in India

Shoulder resurfacing overview

Arthritis or trauma to the shoulder can limit the range of motion and functioning of your shoulder. The shoulder joint can become stiff and painful. This debilitating condition has left thousands of men and women of all ages with painful shoulder having a very limited range of motion, functionality and discomfort. The cure for such patients is shoulder replacement or resurfacing. If both the joints of your shoulder are affected then you need to undergo total shoulder joint replacement. However, in such a surgery you are going to lose a lot of your original tissue and bone. It will never be as good as your original joint. You will have limited functioning. Moreover, the joint may wear out over time.

If the condition of your shoulder joint is not as severe as to require a total replacement, then you should go for shoulder resurfacing. If working on only the humeral head can sustain the shoulder joint and give you relief from the pain, discomfort and limited functionality then you should go for resurfacing.  In this surgery the humeral head is covered with a metal cap instead of replacing both the joints altogether. A lot of people in India are undergoing this procedure in India. Shoulder resurfacing is carried out in India, and foreigners are taking to this service due to availability of world class service at low cost.

How to I know if I am a good candidate for shoulder resurfacing surgery?

You need to be sufficiently healthy and have sufficient bone matter to undergo the procedure successfully. You should not be suffering from high blood pressure or diabetes. If you have any of these problems, then these should be treated prior to the procedure. You should also be young and have an active lifestyle. If you are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, then the medical management team should include a skilled rheumatologist.

Shoulder resurfacing procedure and recovery

In shoulder resurfacing procedure damaged tissue is removed only from the humeral head of the shoulder. It is then fitted with a hemispheric metallic cap. In this procedure the glenoid head is left untouched resulting in less surgery, less loss of bone and other tissue and faster recovery. You will be released from the hospital one or two days after the surgery. However, you will have pain and swelling, and your arm will be within a sling. You will also be given a postoperative nerve block to control the pain. For the first few days you will require the assistance of others in performing your regular chores like dressing, cooking, eating, etc. For this period you will also be given oral pain medications. If you are not able to use your arm effectively after a few days, then you may need a supervised rehabilitation therapy. After the first day of surgery, you may remove the sling and try to move the arm. You should also apply ice on the area. This will give you a lot of comfort from the pain and swelling.

However, if you have fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or redness around the incision or if there is drainage from the site of the incision you should inform the physician immediately. This may be because of some infection which you may have after shoulder resurfacing surgery.

How effective is shoulder resurfacing surgery?

Shoulder resurfacing surgery is generally more effective than total joint replacement. Owing to minimal bone resection, absence of osteotomy, and low incidence of periprosthetic fracture this type of surgery is considered to be more effective for those whose shoulder joint problems are in the initial stages.

Shoulder resurfacing versus shoulder replacement

You need to do shoulder replacement if both the shoulder joints, the Humeral head as well as the Glenoid head are affected and need to be cleansed of dead tissue. Let us take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of both types of surgery.

Loss of bone and other tissue material: This determines the stability of the joint, time of recovery as well as the effectiveness of the joint. In shoulder replacement surgery, a considerable amount of bone tissue is lost along with other tissue material. However, in resurfacing surgery this loss is minimized.

Hospital stay: It is more in replacement surgery than in case of resurfacing surgery.

Risk of fracture of prosthesis: It is more in shoulder replacement surgery than in resurfacing surgery.

Risk of fat embolus: The risk is there in replacement surgery, but is minimal in resurfacing surgery.

Recovery period: After a shoulder replacement surgery, you will take more time to recover than after a resurfacing surgery.

Why choosing shoulder resurfacing is beneficial?

After a shoulder resurfacing surgery, you can return to work within a few days, will have to bear less pain, have much less risk of fat emboli and prosthesis fracture.

Why to choose an Indian hospital for your shoulder resurfacing?

Shoulder resurfacing is a costly proposition in most of the countries. However, in India you can get the best outcome in a world class infrastructure at the hands of physicians and technicians of international standard. Apart from this affordable procedure is another attraction for foreigners. You can also get reviews about shoulder resurfacing in India and see for yourself.

Shoulder resurfacing cost in India

In India you can get a free consultation from world class doctors about shoulder resurfacing. If you go for the treatment you can get it done for a fraction of the cost than western countries.