Orthopedic surgery of the upper limb

MediClinic’s upper limb surgery service treats all wrist, elbow and shoulder conditions that do not require post-surgery night hospitalization.

The specialists of the MediClinic Upper limb Surgery service have in-depth skills in arthroscopic surgery, which is performed with an instrument called an arthroscope and consists in “looking inside an articulation” (this is the true meaning of the term), through some pre-established access points according to the surgical and patient needs. The arthroscope is an instrument equipped with optical fiber that allows the surgeon to visualize the intra-articular structures directly and completely (otherwise inaccessible if not incompletely and only with a very broad surgical approach). If necessary, the specialist can perform various types of surgical treatments (such as “cleaning”, reconstructions, sutures, but also other treatments) using small instruments within the arthroscope. Arthroscopy allows the surgeon to obtain optimal surgical results while reducing the patient discomfort compared to open surgery procedures (which involve cutting tissue to expose the joint). The advantage of accessing the joint through small incisions is represented by the fact that tissues are not damaged, therefore, at the time of rehabilitation, they are already intact and the patient does not have to wait for their healing. In this way the pain is greatly reduced with a fast recovery.

MediClinic has made available to its specialists the most modern technologies to safely perform arthroscopies of various joints and therefore effectively treat knee conditions, minimizing the patient discomfort and obtaining the best results possible. MediClinic surgeons have the possibility of using specific devices for each type of procedure. The availability of radio frequency or motorized systems, dedicated handpieces and specific instruments for the treatment of various conditions ensures that patients find the most suitable solution for their specific problem. The imaging technology includes 3CCD cameras and the latest generation of high definition monitors. Surgeons also have the possibility to record images and take intraoperative photographs to better study and document each individual case.

Surgery

Wrist arthroscopy

Arthroscopy allows the specialist to perform a direct and very punctual evaluation of any possible damage affecting the wrist. The further advantage of this method is that most of the conditions can be diagnosed and cured during the same surgical session. The wrist diseases most frequently treated in arthroscopy range from the most common and simple wrist cysts, resolved quickly, effectively and with satisfactory aesthetic results, to the most complex lesions of the triangular fibrocartilage, the intrinsic ligaments, or arthrosic-degenerative conditions. The list of wrist conditions that can be treated via minimally-invasive procedures include: early stage osteoarthrits, pseudo osteoarthritis of the scaphoid, ulnocarpal conflict and wrist instability.

Elbow: open technique and arthroscopy

MediClinic’s upper limb surgery service includes treatments for elbow conditions, many of which can be treated on a day surgery basis. The open or arthroscopic technique is chosen depending on the patient’s condition. It should be noted that the elbow is a very complex joint, with a marked tendency to stiffness, so even small injuries can easily lead to severe stiffness: the available arthroscopic techniques give the opportunity to offer the patient surgical treatments designed to minimize the risk of such rigidity. Among the treated conditions we can list:

• epicondylitis
• elbow stiffness
• synovitis
• articular moving bodies
• compressions of the ulnar nerve.

Shoulder surgery

The shoulder is a complex joint especially when considering the tendon and ligament structure and the conditions that affect it can cause great discomfort, causing pain and impairing the patient’s daily activities. Although the complexity of the joint may require rather invasive procedures, they are largely simpler in nature and can also be performed on an outpatient basis without the need for a night stay. MediClinic orthopedic surgeons are committed to offering this possibility, thanks to the gained skills and modern operating rooms. Osteoarthritis, fractures (and their outcomes) and lesions of the rotator cuff are just some of the conditions that are treated in day surgery, both with open technique and with arthroscopic technique.

Why choose MediClinic?

MediClinic has made available to its specialists the most modern technologies to safely perform arthroscopies of various joints and therefore effectively treat wrist, elbow and shoulder conditions, minimizing the patient discomfort and obtaining the best results possible.

In addition to the top-notch environment, the greatest guarantee of safety for the patient is represented by the in-depth skills of the surgical team in the field of modern diagnostics, upper limb biomechanics and arthroscopy. The choice of the minimally invasive approach, when possible, is made available thanks to the experience and knowledge that MediClinic orthopedic specialists have gained over the past twenty years, documented also by numerous scientific studies carried out by surgeons of the team and published in important international scientific journals.