Shoulder Surgery

Treatment
Our treatment focuses both on surgical care for acute injuries of the locomotor system, and the treatment of degenerative damage to major joints. We predominantly use minimally invasive surgical techniques on the knee, shoulder, elbow and ankle joints.
In contrast to open techniques, arthroscopic procedures involve very little surgical trauma, which has multiple advantages. The proprioceptive function which is essential to an intact joint is retained, with the result that sporting capacity can be quickly restored to the previous level. Furthermore, mobilisation can take place earlier, and the period of inpatient hospitalisation is much reduced. The minimally invasive procedure results in a lower level of morbidity, less post-surgical pain, and a more successful cosmetic result.

Diagnosis
Diagnosis and treatment are performed in accordance with the latest findings in medical research. Close collaboration with Sarnen Cantonal Hospital and the Swiss Paraplegic Centre enables cutting-edge imaging procedures to be used, including magnetic resonance imaging, for example, which is particularly helpful for diagnosing injuries in shoulders, knees and ankles.

Elbow
In recent years, elbow arthroscopy has seen a particularly high level of development due to technical progress. This results in improved treatment options and a broader range of use. Diagnostic elbow arthroscopy is now able to represent all sections of the joint – which years ago was only possible by making multiple skin incisions. In the elbow, constriction arising from loose bodies, and stress-induced pain due to arthrosis make arthroscopic treatment necessary in most cases. There are further treatment options for cartilage and bone defects (including the assessment of bone breakages), in particular on the radial head but also in the other sections of the elbow joint. Loosening adhesions with significant restriction of movement, and the removal of inflamed joint mucosa (synovitis), particularly in the event of rheumatic illness, often represent good indications for shoulder joint endoscopy.

Hand
Carpal tunnel syndrome is also referred to as median nerve compression syndrome. It is the most frequently occurring entrapment syndrome, accounting for approximately 20% of all peripheral nerve damage that occurs. Women are affected significantly more frequently than men, and symptoms most often occur between the ages of 40 and 60, with the frequency of carpal tunnel syndrome currently increasing. One reason for this upward trend is the increased time individuals spend working at computers, and the associated keyboard and mouse operation. If other treatment methods have failed to cure or alleviate symptoms, or if the illness is at an advanced stage, surgery should be performed. In particular, surgery is necessary if initial indications of paralysis have occurred, and it should not be delayed too long. Functional restriction to the damaged nerve regresses only slowly, and may persist for some time even after successful surgery. In the event of severe nerve damage, complete restoration of the nerve function cannot always be achieved.

Treatments we offer:

• Rotator cuff
• Impingement syndrome
• Tendinitis calcarea (calcareous shoulder)
• Shoulder instability
• Pathologies of the long biceps tendon (SLAP lesion)
• Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint

Osteoarthritis of the hip joint (coxarthrosis)
The most frequent cause of disorders affecting the hip joint is cartilage wear, which can result in osteoarthritis, or “coxarthrosis”. The joint increasingly loses its fit, the bone forms deposits around its edges, and the resulting wear causes pain on an ongoing basis. The loss of cartilage results in increasing stiffening of the joint. At the same time, pain occurs after periods of activity, on exertion, late at night, and at rest, resulting in reduced walking distance and ultimately restriction of quality of life.

Hip endoprosthesis (total hip replacement)
When non-surgical treatment measures (physiotherapy, complementary measures, massages, anti-inflammatory indications) no longer help and pain has become too great, it’s time for surgical intervention.
A hip endoprosthesis is the longest-established joint replacement in common use. However, surgical techniques and the material used have been improved so much in the last 20 years that the useful life of a hip prosthesis can now be measured in decades. Both the femoral head and the acetabulum need to be replaced in the event of hip osteoarthritis.
This procedure has become one of the most frequently employed and most successful routine operations in orthopaedic surgery (with approximately 400,000 taking place across Europe each year).
The prosthesis is modelled on the structures as they naturally occur in people, i.e. it consists of a socket and a shaft onto which a spherical head is attached. With the aid of pre-surgical planning diagrams, the prosthesis size and position are determined, taking into account individual patient needs (such as age, gender, bone shape, bodyweight, and other factors).

The knee is the largest joint in the human body. It is made up of three bones: the femur, tibia and patella. It is stabilised by the surrounding muscles and ligaments (cruciate and lateral ligaments). In addition, the meniscae go through the joint, stabilising it, serving as shock absorbers, and distributing pressure. As is the case with all other joints, the knee is also covered by a layer of cartilage. 

Treatments we offer:

• Ligaments
• Cartilage damage
• OATS (Osteochondral Autologous Transfer System)
• MACI / ACT
  (Matrix Associated Chondrocyte Implantation / Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation)
• Microfracturing (“Pridie- drilling”)
• Corrective osteotomy
• Osteoarthritis

Treatments we offer:

• Hallux valgus
• Hallux rigidus
• Hammer toe / claw toe
• Tailor’s bunion/bunionette (bunion on the little toe)