Your shoulder is made up of three bones: upper arm bone (humerus), shoulder blade (scapula) and collarbone (clavicle) making it a ball-and-socket joint. Shoulder replacement is a joint replacement surgery in which all or part of the shoulder joint is replaced by a prosthetic implant. This joint replacement surgery generally is conducted to relieve severe arthritis pain or fix severe physical joint damage. Although shoulder joint replacement is less common in India as compared to knee or hip replacement, it is just as successful in relieving joint pain. There are very few surgeons who are trained in shoulder replacement surgery.
Healthcare Costs in India are already very low as compared to the western counteries. The cost of Unilateral Total Shoulder Replacement in India is approx 6500 - 7000 USD. In Case of Rotator Cuff tear the cost for arthroscopic repair is approx 5000 USD. If you are suffering from frozen shoulder condition and all conservative treatments like physiotherapy and medication have failed to give relief, then arthroscopic surgery is advised which costs about 4000 USD in India. Different Hospitals in India have different prices for Shoulder Replacement surgery depending upon the type of implant used.
Hospitals in North India which specialize in Shoulder Joint Replacement Surgery and Arthroscopy include some of the most prominent hospitals like Aarvy Hospital at Gurgaon, Max Hospital in New Delhi, Vardhman Hospital in Muzaffarnagar, Medanta Medicity at Gurgaon, Artemis Health Institute at Gurgaon, Fortis Hospital at Gurgaon. Today Gurgaon is the preferred destination for patients coming to India due its close proximity to the New Delhi International Airport and also because of the availability of some of the finest Shoulder Surgeons. Aarvy Hospital at Gurgaon and Vardhman Hospital at Muzaffarnagar offer the best price for this surgery.
For Shoulder Replacement Surgery the Best Specialists include Dr Sidhant Jain at Vardhman Hospital Muzaffarnagar, Dr IPS Oberoi at Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Dr Yash Gulati at Apollo Hospital New Delhi, Dr Ramankant Aggarwal at Medanta Medicity Gurgaon. For Shoulder Replacement Surgery Dr Sidhant Jain or Dr Ramankant Agarwal would be the best choice. For frozen shoulder and rotator cuff tear Dr Praveen Tittal is considered the best Arthroscopic surgeon in India. Dr Praveen Tittal with an experience of more than 12 years of arthroscopic surgeries is an highly experienced and trained orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in elective orthopaedic surgeries like ACL/PCL repair and arthroscopic procedures of all joints which include Shoulder, Knee, Elbow, Ankle and Hip.
Conditions in which you may need shoulder replacement surgery are - Osteoarthritis ( Degenerative Joint Disease ), Rheumatoid arthritis, Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy, Frozen Shoulder and Traumatic injury to shoulder joint. Osteoarthritis is an age-related "wear and tear" type of arthritis. It usually occurs in people 50 years of age and older, but may occur in younger people also. The cartilage that cushions the bones of the shoulder softens and wears away. The bones then rub against one another. Over a period of time the shoulder joint becomes stiff and painful.
The patients suffering with Rheumatoid arthritis, a condition in which the synovial membrane that surrounds the joint becomes inflamed and thickened may also benefit from shoulder replacement. In this condition, the changes in the shoulder joint due to the rotator cuff tear may lead to arthritis and destruction of the joint cartilage. In cases of rotator cuff injury you might also benefit from Shoulder Arthroscopy. However it is to be noted that arthroscopy of the shoulder is a very specialized surgery and an arthroscopic surgeon with specialized training in shoulder arthroscopy should be trusted to do it.
Doctors will give you several doses of antibiotics to prevent infection. Most patients are able to eat solid food and get out of bed the day after surgery. You will most likely be able to go home on the first or the second day after the surgery. Post surgery there would be slight pain which will be managed by our medical team through painkillers. Physical therapy will begin soon after surgery and the intensity would be increased with time as the pain starts to subside.
Post Surgery Physiotherapy is as important in your recovery as the surgery itself. You usually start gentle physical therapy soon after the surgery. When you leave the hospital, your arm will be in a sling. You will need the sling to support and protect your shoulder for the first 2 to 4 weeks after surgery. Exercise is a critical component of home care, particularly during the first few weeks after surgery. Follow your surgeon's home exercise plan to help you regain strength. Most patients are able to perform simple activities such as eating, dressing and grooming within 2 weeks after surgery. Some pain with activity and at night is common for several weeks after surgery.
Kim Brian from the Sacramento County of California, USA came to India to get Hip Replacement Surgery done. He travelled alone because he could not afford the expenses for an attendant. His surgery was done by Dr IPS Oberoi at Artemis Health Institute. Watch this video where Kim is sharing his experiences.
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