Shoulder and Elbow - Rotator Cuff Injuries Treatment: Physiotherapy, Key-hole repair and More - Doctor

Shoulder and Elbow - Rotator Cuff Injuries - Treatments

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) involves using advanced techniques to make smaller surgical incisions, thereby leading to less post-surgery pain, shorter hospital stay and faster recovery from surgery. SGH Orthopaedics provides a comprehensive suite of MIS procedures to help our patients get back on their feet, covering surgeries involving the spine, shoulder, knee, hip, foot and ankle and sports-related injuries.

Common shoulder or joint injuries that we encounter include rotator cuff tears, shoulder impingement syndrome, shoulder instability, knee ligament and meniscal injuries, shoulder and knee cartilage wear, shoulder, knee and other sports injuries

Shoulder arthroscopy

is a form of MIS which involves the use of small keyhole incisions in the skin to perform surgery on a wide spectrum of shoulder conditions which previously were treated with open surgery. It has revolutionized the surgical treatment of shoulder conditions, allowing patients of all ages to return to an active and healthy lifestyle through faster and better recovery following surgery. Many patients are discharged home on the day of surgery. Patients benefit by having shorter recovery times, less post-surgical pain and better outcomes, thereby allowing for a return to a good quality of life.

Arthroscopic Superior Capsular Reconstruction

is a MIS procedure which involves placing a sheet of dermal graft into the shoulder joint through keyhole incisions to reconstruct the overlying shoulder capsule and improve shoulder function in patients with massive rotator cuff tears, obviating the need for shoulder replacement surgery in many of them. This procedure was introduced in the last 2 years and SGH is among the first hospitals in Asia to perform it.

This treatment, like other MIS procedures, results in less post-surgery pain and faster recovery from surgery. In this instance, it allows patients an earlier return to improved shoulder function and quality of life through improving strength and reducing pain about the shoulder. It may be done as an outpatient procedure. It is available in other hospitals in Singapore.

Other recent advances in shoulder arthroscopy include joint preservation and restoration aimed at preventing or delaying the need for shoulder replacement surgery. SGH Orthopaedics also leads the region in other innovative orthopaedic treatments like hip and knee joint preservation, robotic surgery, enhanced recovery after surgery and the use of biologics, and is looking at AI, 3D printing, telemedicine, wearable technologies and other innovations to further enhance care of our patients.

Tips Include:

Always listen to your body: Refrain from aggravating activities if the shoulder hurts, and seek medical advice if the pain persists.
Always warm up before doing sports: Exercising cold muscles before doing overhead or throwing sports may lead to shoulder injuries.
Always perform exercises in a stepwise manner: When working out in the gym, step up the exercises in a gradual manner, beginning with light weights before progressing to the heavy ones. This will allow the muscles to adapt and prevent injuries.
Avoid day-today activities involving carrying heavy loads above your shoulder or from overhead down: Doing so may lead to rotator cuff injuries, particularly in people above the age of 40 when rotator cuff degeneration has set it. Modify these activities eg by placing commonly used heavy items lower on the shelf, or standing on a stable platform to reach for heavy items.