Personalized Open Shoulder Surgery at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican Hospitals
Open shoulder surgery repairs a shoulder joint with damage due to disease, aging, injury, or overuse. Common open shoulder surgeries include fracture repair, rotator cuff repair, and joint replacement. Open shoulder surgery may restore full motion and pain-free use of your shoulder.
Call Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican hospitals at (702) 616-4900 or find an orthopedic surgeon online with expertise in open shoulder surgery in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV.
Why Rotator Cuff Repair & Open Shoulder Surgery is Performed
If other treatment options haven't worked for you, open shoulder surgery may be the next step. Your doctor may recommend open shoulder surgery for:
- Tendonitis
- Rotator cuff tears
- Shoulder separation
- Arthritis
- Fracture of the the collarbone or upper arm bone
- Bursitis
- Cartilage issues such as loose or torn cartilage
- Frozen shoulder
- Shoulder dislocation that happens repeatedly
Sometimes, arthroscopic shoulder surgery or another minimally invasive surgery is an option for these conditions. However, open surgery might lead to better results in some situations. Talk with your doctor to find out which option is right for you.
Risks of Open Shoulder Surgery
Open shoulder surgery involves larger incisions than minimally invasive techniques such as arthroscopy. The incisions are generally a few inches in length. In most cases, you will stay in the hospital for a few days after open shoulder surgery.
Possible risks of open shoulder surgery include:
- Stiffness
- Muscle or nerve damage
- Weakness
- Continuing symptoms
In most cases, the benefits outweigh the risks. We offer education before your surgery to help you make your decision. It will also help you know what to expect during the procedure and your recovery. Your care team at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican has the experience necessary to control for any problems if they occur.
Open Shoulder Surgery Recovery in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV
Recovering from open shoulder surgery is a gradual process. Your overall health, age, and the reason for surgery will play a role in how long it takes to recover. It will likely be a few weeks before you're feeling back to normal. You will probably need to wear a sling for several weeks afterwards. This keeps your shoulder stable while it is healing. Some people only need a sling for a short time, while others will wear a it for many weeks.
Physical therapy is an important part of your recovery. It is vital for regaining joint function as safely as possible and preventing joint stiffness. Gradually, you’ll regain shoulder strength, stability, and function. Full recovery can range from a few weeks to several months.
You can help prevent future shoulder problems by taking these steps:
- Avoid contact sports. Talk to your doctor about what is safe for you.
- Carry heavy objects close to your body.
- Strengthen your shoulder muscles.
- Use good posture.