Patients › Shoulder

Shoulder

Shoulder conditions and the operations that treat them, grouped by theme — each diagnosis sits beside its treatment so you can read the two together. Start with the group that matches the name you have been given, or the one that sounds like your symptoms.

Understanding your shoulder

¿Cómo funciona su hombro? Shoulder anatomy overview – bones (clavicle, scapula, humerus) and how they enable wide range of motion. Open → Artroscopia de hombro What shoulder arthroscopy is, what it's used for, and how to prepare and recover. Open →

Rotator cuff & impingement

Trastornos del manguito rotador Rotator cuff disorders: common causes of shoulder pain, ranging from mild ache to debilitating injury. Open → Pinzamiento subacromial y bursitis Subacromial impingement — causes of shoulder pain with overhead activity, diagnosis, and treatment options. Open → Tendinitis calcificante Calcific tendinitis causes shoulder pain from calcium deposits; treatment ranges from observation to washing out the calcium. Open → Artropatía del manguito rotador Rotator cuff arthropathy: shoulder arthritis following a long-standing, massive rotator cuff tear and its impact on function. Open → Os acromiale Patient-facing topic on os acromiale — failed fusion of an acromial ossification centre that may cause shoulder pain and contribute to subacromial impingement. Open → Reparación del manguito rotador Rotator cuff repair reattaches torn tendons to bone, improving pain and function when conservative treatment fails. Open → Revisión de reparación del manguito rotador Open → Descompresión subacromial Arthroscopic subacromial decompression for impingement and bursitis — operation and recovery. Open → Anclajes de sutura y cómo se fijan las reparaciones al hueso Open → Andamio biológico EnFix Open →

Instability, labrum & biceps

Inestabilidad del hombro Shoulder instability — understanding the feeling of looseness, causes, and treatment options. Open → Chasquidos, crujidos e inestabilidad en el hombro Why a shoulder clicks, pops or feels like it slips — from harmless noises to labral tears and instability — what it means, and when it needs attention. Open → Patología del labrum superior y del bíceps Superior labral (SLAP) tears and disorders of the long head of biceps — assessment and treatment. Open → Tendinopatía del bíceps y ruptura de la cabeza larga Front-of-shoulder biceps tendon pain and the "Popeye" long-head rupture — and why the rupture usually needs no surgery. Open → Estabilización anterior del hombro Arthroscopic Bankart repair for anterior shoulder instability — distinct from open Latarjet. Open → Estabilización posterior del hombro Open → Procedimiento de Latarjet Latarjet procedure — bone block transfer for recurrent shoulder instability with glenoid bone loss. Open → Tenodesis del bíceps Biceps tenodesis and tenotomy — when, where (suprapectoral vs subpectoral) and what to expect afterwards. Open →

Arthritis & shoulder replacement

Artritis del hombro Shoulder arthritis causes pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion — diagnosis and treatment options explored. Open → Manejo Artroscópico Integral (CAM) The Comprehensive Arthroscopic Management (CAM) procedure — a joint-preserving arthroscopic alternative to arthroplasty for glenohumeral osteoarthritis, combining debridement, capsular release, osteophyte excision, microfracture, loose-body removal and axillary nerve neurolysis. Open → Artroplastia total de hombro Total shoulder replacement for severe arthritis — stemless options if rotator cuff is intact. Open → Artroplastia inversa de hombro Reverse shoulder replacement for severe rotator cuff tears and arthritis—when a traditional replacement isn’t ideal. Open → Revisión de prótesis de hombro Revision shoulder replacement — addressing failure of prior shoulder replacements with a reverse design. Open →

Fractures & trauma

Fractura de clavícula Clavicle fractures — when conservative management is fine and when fixation is indicated. Open → Fractura del húmero proximal Proximal humerus fractures — Neer classification, sling management, and surgical options. Open → Ruptura del pectoral mayor A chest-muscle tear, classically during a heavy bench press — how to recognise it and why complete tears are usually repaired early. Open → Reparación del pectoral mayor Open → Fijación de fracturas de clavícula Clavicle fixation (ORIF) — restoring alignment and stability for displaced clavicle fractures. Open → Fractura del húmero proximal: osteosíntesis abierta (fijación con placa y clavo) Open → Artroplastia de hombro para fractura aguda del humero proximal Open →

Collarbone & AC joint

Lesión de la articulación acromioclavicular (separación del hombro) A shoulder separation from a fall on the point of the shoulder — grading, the bump that may remain, and when surgery is needed. Open → Osteoartritis de la articulación acromioclavicular AC joint osteoarthritis causes localized shoulder pain with cross-body movements; treatment ranges from activity modification to surgery. Open → Osteólisis distal de la clavícula Open → Trastornos de la articulación esternoclavicular Problems where the collarbone meets the breastbone — arthritis, instability and the rare but serious posterior dislocation — and how each is managed. Open → Estabilización de la articulación acromioclavicular Surgical reconstruction for high-grade AC joint dislocation (Rockwood III-VI). Open → Excisión distal de la clavícula (procedimiento de Mumford) A Mumford procedure (distal clavicle excision) removes the small worn outer tip of the collarbone to ease shoulder pain at the AC joint. What the keyhole operation involves and what recovery looks like. Open →

Frozen shoulder & stiffness

Hombro congelado Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) causes pain and stiffness, progressing through freezing, frozen, and thawing phases. Open → Liberación capsular para el hombro congelado Arthroscopic capsular release frees a stiff shoulder (frozen shoulder) when physiotherapy and injections fail. Open →

Nerve problems

Neuropatía suprascapular Open → Descompresión del nervio supraescapular Open → Síndrome de salida torácica Compression of the nerves and vessels at the base of the neck — the types, why diagnosis is tricky, and physio-first treatment. Open →

Recovery and rehabilitation

Anticoagulantes antes y después de la cirugía How anticoagulants and antiplatelets work, and why the timing of stopping each before surgery differs — platelet turnover, half-lives and clot risk. Open → Ayuno antes de la cirugía: qué puede comer y beber, y por qué Why you must stop eating before an anaesthetic, when you can still sip water, and what can happen if you do not fast. The clear fasting rules that keep your stomach empty and your lungs safe during surgery. Open → Calor vs. frío When ice helps, when heat helps, and how to use either safely on the upper limb. Open → Conducción después de cirugía de hombro y brazo: ¿cuándo es segura y legal? After most shoulder surgery, including rotator cuff repair, you usually cannot drive for about six weeks, and not while your arm is in a sling. When it is safe and legal to get back to the wheel after hand, wrist, elbow or shoulder surgery. Open → Cuidado de su cicatriz Massage, silicone, sun protection and the 12-month timeline for surgical scars to soften and fade. Open → Cuidado de su herida Dressings, showering, and signs of infection after upper-limb surgery. Open → Cuidado del yeso y las férulas en el hogar Looking after a plaster or splint at home — keeping it dry, elevation, keeping joints moving, and the urgent signs of a too-tight cast. Open → El día de su cirugía What to expect on the day of day-case upper-limb surgery, from arrival and meeting the team to waking up and going home. Open → Estreñimiento y cuidado intestinal después de la cirugía Why constipation is common after surgery (especially with strong painkillers) and how to prevent and manage it. Open → Fundamentos de la terapia de la mano What to expect from hand therapy, how often you'll go, and what good rehab looks like. Open → Hinchazón y elevación después de la cirugía Why a hand or arm swells after surgery, how elevation and gentle movement control it, and when swelling is a warning sign. Open → La vida cotidiana después de una cirugía de hombro Washing, dressing, sleeping and managing day-to-day with the operated arm in a sling after shoulder surgery. Open → La vida cotidiana después de una cirugía de mano, muñeca o codo Keeping a hand or wrist dressing dry, elevation to control swelling, and one-handed living after hand, wrist or elbow surgery. Open → Manejo del dolor postoperatorio What pain to expect, how to use pain relief well, and when to call. Open → Melatonina después de la cirugía de hombro Why we prescribe melatonin after shoulder surgery, what the trial evidence shows, the dose we use, and what to expect from it. Open → Mente, estrés y recuperación How stress, low mood, anxiety and worry about pain affect recovery and surgical outcomes — and what helps. Open → Preparación para la cirugía General checklist for the days before upper-limb surgery — fasting, what to bring, medications. Open → Prevención de coágulos sanguíneos en casa Reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis after upper-limb surgery — mobilisation, hydration, medication. Open → Regreso al deporte Phased return to sport after upper-limb surgery, and when contact sport is safe again. Open → Su bloqueo nervioso del hombro The nerve block we use for shoulder surgery — how it numbs your arm, why it controls pain so well, and what to expect as it wears off. Open → Su control de la herida y retiro de puntos What happens at the post-op wound check, dissolvable vs removable stitches, what removal feels like, and when to seek help sooner. Open → Sueño, dolor y recuperación How sleep and pain affect each other, why surgery and shoulder problems disturb sleep, and what helps you rest and recover. Open → Una buena alimentación para la recuperación Everyday food to support recovery after surgery — protein, energy, healing vitamins, and preventing constipation. Open → Uso y dormir con un cabestrillo para el brazo How to sleep in an arm sling, get the sling position right, and look after it after shoulder, elbow or wrist surgery, including whether to keep the sling on overnight. Open → Volar y viajar después de la cirugía Clot risk, cast tightness at altitude, fitness to fly and the practicalities of travelling after upper-limb surgery. Open → Volver al trabajo When you can return to desk, light, and heavy work after upper-limb surgery. Open → ¿Está infectada mi herida? How to tell normal healing from a wound infection after surgery — the warning signs and when to seek help. Open →

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