Shoulder and elbow surgery in Milton Keynes

From getting dressed first thing in the morning to brushing our teeth, opening a door or even cooking, we use our shoulders and elbows countless times each and every day.

When working properly, it’s easy to forget completely about them. On the other hand, if something goes wrong with them, we can very quickly find ourselves struggling to carry out even the most straightforward tasks.

If you’re struggling with a problem in the shoulder or elbow, you’ll know first-hand just how much it can affect every part of your life. Whether it’s stopping you from taking part in your favourite sport or keeping you awake at night, long-term, severe pain or stiffness in a shoulder or elbow can have a big impact on your physical, mental and emotional health.

When your pain gets bad enough to see a doctor, you’ll want to get an accurate diagnosis and the best care and treatment possible without unnecessary delay.

Here at The Saxon Clinic, we’ve been treating people with shoulder and elbow problems for more than 30 years.

We help get people out of any pain and stiffness they have, so that they can get back to doing the things they most enjoy once again.

Both your shoulder and elbow joints provide an incredible amount of movement, flexibility and strength to your upper body.

If you develop a problem in a joint, early assessment and diagnosis can be invaluable in preventing any damage to the joint 

So what are some of the common things that can go wrong with an elbow or shoulder? Here are some of the problems people come to see us for help with at The Saxon Clinic:

• Rotator cuff tear,
• Frozen shoulder,
• Recurrent shoulder dislocation,
• Shoulder impingement,
• Tennis elbow,
• Golfer’s elbow,
• Arthritis in either the shoulder or elbow,
• A fracture in a shoulder or elbow.

Whether you’re an athlete at the peak of your career suddenly faced with a debilitating elbow injury or a non-athlete struggling with pain in your shoulder, you’ll want access to specialist help and treatment without delay.

Whatever the problem you have in your shoulder or elbow, we can help get you out of pain and back to function again.

An accurate, prompt diagnosis is crucial. Once the cause of the problem has been found, treatment options can be discussed and started. 

When you first meet with your doctor here at The Saxon Clinic, they’ll talk with you about the problem you’re having with your shoulder or elbow. They’ll want to know things like:

• How long you’ve had the problem,
• Is there was an obvious cause (for example, did your shoulder pain start immediately after you tripped and used your arm to break your fall?),
• If you have pain, what type of pain it is (for example, is it dull or sharp, localised or spread throughout the elbow/shoulder, constant or intermittent?),
• Whether it’s been getting worse over time,
• How it’s currently affecting you (for example, what things have you had to stop doing because of the problem?).

They’ll examine your elbow or shoulder, carefully moving it into different positions in order to see the degree of movement and flexibility you currently have. This examination helps them assess the degree of any pain and/or stiffness in the joints.

If any more tests are needed to help with your diagnosis, they can be carried out here at The Saxon Clinic. Our imaging facilities are all on site including X-ray, CT, MRI and ultrasound, so we can arrange any of these quickly and easily.

If you have a problem with a shoulder or elbow, it’s important to realise that you won’t always need surgery to treat it. There are some excellent non-surgical treatments available that can be very effective in treating a number of common shoulder and elbow problems. These non-surgical treatments include:

• Trying to rest the affected joint as much as possible,
• Pain relief medication. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you’re not sure what to use or have any questions.
• Using a cold compress throughout the day may help to relieve your symptoms.
• Physiotherapy is helpful, particularly when you need to stabilise and strengthen the elbow or shoulder joint either before or after surgery.
• Injection therapies: An injection of a corticosteroid will often help reduce pain and stiffness. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory. These can be guided with X-ray and ultrasound here at The Saxon to ensure correct placement.

If non-surgical treatments don’t give you the relief you need, then you may need surgery to treat the problem.

There are a number of ways surgery can be carried out on the shoulder and elbow, from a type of keyhole surgery known as arthroscopy through to “open” surgery. The majority of surgical treatments can be performed through keyhole techniques which results in less scarring and accelerated rehabilitation to reduce your time off work and sports.

If you do need surgery, your doctor will talk you through everything clearly so that you have the information you need to make an informed decision about your treatment.

When you choose to have your shoulder and elbow surgery with us, you’ll benefit from:

• Expert-led treatment: We have consultants who specialise in treating shoulder and elbows. You’ll be able to discuss your problem with them and get their expert assessment and treatment advice without unnecessary delay.
• Rapid access: A problem with your shoulder or elbow can have a significant effect on your everyday activities. You’ll no doubt want to get it treated as quickly as possible. With fast access to assessment, diagnosis and treatment, we’ll get you out of pain and back to better mobility sooner.
• Peace of mind: Over 97% of the people we’ve treated in the last year would recommend us to their friends and family. It’s normal to feel nervous about needing any type of surgery, but your doctor will talk through any questions or concerns you may have at any stage of your treatment to help reassure you and put your mind at rest.
• Flexible appointments: We appreciate that life can often be very busy. We’re open until 9pm for consultations so that you can schedule time with your doctor at a time that’s most convenient for you.
• Multidisciplinary team: From experienced elbow and shoulder surgeons, physiotherapists and nurses through to occupational therapists, radiographers and a podiatrist, our team of healthcare professionals will work together to ensure you receive the best possible support and care, before, during and after any treatment.
• Free parking: Just register your car at Reception when you arrive with us, and you won’t need to pay for parking during your visit.

If you’re feeling anxious or concerned about a problem with your shoulder or elbow, it’s important to know that good help is available.

There are good treatments, surgical and non-surgical, available for a wide range of injuries and conditions. Why not get in touch today to book a consultation with us? We’ll investigate

the cause of your problem and then talk you through any treatment options. If surgery is needed, we’ll arrange that for you without delay.

If you’re looking for private shoulder and elbow expert, whether you live in and around Milton Keynes or further afield, book an appointment online today.