First total shoulder replacement surgery a success

The irst total shoulder joint replacement was done recently at Burjeel Hospital for Advanced Surgery by Dr. Bhuvaneshwar Machani, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, specialised in upper limb treatment performed more than 200 shoulder joint replacements.

Shoulder replacement is not commonly done in UAE. As part of medical tourism, Burjeel Hospital for Advanced Surgery thrives to excel its services, currently performing about 800-900 Joint replacement each year to the residents of UAE, GCC and other neighboring countries

By adding a Shoulder and Upper Limb Unit, performing complex procedures such as shoulder and elbow replacement, the surgical teams in BHAS are extending their services to the above cohort of patients.

Nowadays, many patients have underlying shoulder arthritis.

However they continue to suffer in pain due to lack of expertise in treatment which are not managed well by practitioners.

Burjeel Hospital for Advanced Surgery could successfully prove that patients with rare complex upper limp cases no longer need to travel abroad to obtain specialised orthopaedic care.

It brings together an elite group of specialist doctors worldwide, saving the patients the trouble of traveling abroad for treatment.

Machani mentioned that the surgery is generally successful, like other joint replacements, but the shoulder needs to be in sling for few weeks combined with physiotherapy.

Pain improves a few days after the surgery as the patient gradually recovers over the next few weeks.

He emphasised that this surgery is not as common as knee or hip replacement but done frequently in elderly patients who have shoulder arthritis.

It should be undertaken by shoulder surgeon who understands the complexity of the problem and has extensive expertise in such procedures.

Machani added: “Shoulder replacement is done by removing the arthritis part from the head of the humerus and socket bone, replacing it with a metal head and plastic socket like total hip replacement.”

He added: “It is intended for patients who are more than 60 years old and have worsening arthritis in the shoulder joint that signiicantly affects their function.

“This should be associated with moderate to severe pain that has not improved with other modes of treatment. Sometimes, young patients also need it for other reasons.”