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Best clinic or consultant for Shoulder problems?

Posted , 3 users are following.

colin47177
colin47177

Please can any give me the benefit of their experience. I've struggled with shoulder pain in both shoulders for several years and now have the added delight of tennis elbow. I've had physio for the shoulders but it hasn't really improved matters.

I'm now at the point where I'd like to visit a good clinic/consultant who can investigate my shoulder problems, diagnose what is wrong and recommend the best course of action to remedy the problems. 

Unfortunately whilst an internet search throws up lots of clinics and consultants it does not indicate how good/bad the clinics or consultants are. Hence my query here. I'd love to hear from anyone that has had a really good experience (NHS or Private) during the course of their treatment for shoulder problems.

Thanks in anticipation.

Colin

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Susan1942
    Susan1942 colin47177

    Posted

    I have just had surgery to my right shoulder I had a rotator cuff tear Unfortunately the tear was very ragged but the Consultant did what they call a debrinement removing all the ragged parts He also removed the very inflammed Bursa and shaved bit from the acromion which makes extra space They call it ASD the D is decompression

    The Consultant specialises in Shoulder and Elbow surgery and he works with a Physio who specialises in Shoulders and elbows

    I had my surgery on the 8th April so not quite 3 weeks I am having Physio.at the hospital weekly but exercises 4xDaily at home I.am pleased with.my.progress Next week I am having Hydrotherapy for 3 weeks Due to see the Consultant

    I think.most Hospitals do have Orthopedic Surgeons who specialise.My Sister had a repair left shoulder about 3 years ago The right shoulder is too far gone and is on waiting list for shoulder replacement This is in Glasgow I.live in Harrogate

    Almost all Consultants do private as well as NHS

    It has taken me a year to get to this stage Initially. I tried to sort it out myself Ice Naproxen voltarol gel etc When I first saw my GP he suggested Physio which I had privately it made my pain worse so I stopped it

    Maybe someone else will be able to provide more information

    I normally look at the Consultants online hopefully to.find out any information about their experiences and training

    • colin47177
      colin47177 Susan1942

      Posted

      Hi Susan, many thanks for your reply. Are you able to pass on the name of your consultant? I too didn't find Physio much help after having tried ice, pain-killers, voltarol etc. I'm at the stage now where I've retired but can't do normal acivities such as washing the car or decorating. This is not what I envisaged when I looked forward to retirement. I just want to get the shoulders sorted and enjoy life. Hope all goes well for you. All the best Colin.

    • Susan1942
      Susan1942 colin47177

      Posted

      Sorry for not getting back to you sooner

      My Consultant was Mr Charlie Talbot

      I was very happy with my surgery I had a problem in getting a referral One of the GP in my surgery attitude We do a scan if you are under 60 and just an X-ray if over

      My problem at that stage was 6-7 months down the line I had to dig my heels in for a referral.I did say I would pay for the scan

      When I saw Mr Talbot it was more you are incapacitated by pain He told me that sometimes it is not possible to repair a rotator cuff but that he would have a look and do what was best and possible I am 75 and have osteoporosis so bone quality might not be ideal He did say that people can have cuff tears but be symptomless.

      As I said I.had debrinement of the cuff Removal of a very inflammed Bursa and had the acromion decompression Shaved a bit of it to allow more space There joined was very inflammed and angry I.am taking Naproxen post operatively

      I am doing better than I expected and seeing Physiotherapist once a week.but doing the exercises 4 times daily

      Pain wise I am better than I was preoperatively

      My Sister had a very large Rotator Cuff repair about 3 years ago Her Surgeon is

      Andrew Brooksbank He expected to have to do open surgery but was able to repair it arthroscopically She has had a fantastic result with no.pain whatsoever and good function

      She needed her right shoulder done too but deferred it She now needs a shoulder replacement as the cuff is hanging by a thread also lots of arthritis She is unable to lift thus arm without using her left hand She can't work at kitchen worktop level.Has to use a low table Basically had delayed it too long She had 2 knee replacement plus a fracture leg so deferred the shoulder I have looked at his profile and looks good

      I am a retired Midwife and know that every operation is different just as the rate of recovery is too

      Hope this helps Sue

  • tami33436
    tami33436 colin47177

    Posted

    Finding the right doctor is always a search. More than likely you need some xrays and an MRI so they can get a good look at the inside. Usually the first time you go in it's injection time. My current doctor would only do four injection at three month intervals and then do the tests. I ended up with shoulder decompression surgery. Good luck with the doctor search.

     

    • colin47177
      colin47177 tami33436

      Posted

      Hi Tami, many thanks for your reply. Has your situation improved with surgery? All the best Colin.
    • tami33436
      tami33436 colin47177

      Posted

      Hey Colin, it's taken nine months to finally be able to cross my arms over my body to pull a shirt off, lol. The recovery takes a lot longer than expected.  I hope you find a doc soon and get your problem diagnosed and get on the road to recovery.

  • lindajt96
    lindajt96 colin47177

    Posted

    Hi. I saw Mark Falworth at the Spire Hospital in Bushey. He also works at the Othopedic hospital in Stanmore. He was very good
    • colin47177
      colin47177 lindajt96

      Posted

      Hi Linda, many thanks for your reply. I have a couple of questions if you don't mind....Has your treatment been successful ?  In what way was Mark Falworth "very good"? ( I ask the latter because I have a fear that if I'm paying for my treatment then it would be the easiest thing in the world for the consutant to say you need an operation when an operation is not the best option).

      All the best

      Colin

    • lindajt96
      lindajt96 colin47177

      Posted

      Hi. Appreciate what you are saying. I had treatment under him using my insurance, thank goodness, for a frozen shoulder (& my shoulder was frozen solid). I think that he really knows what he is talking about. Seemed very, very thorough, very good at explaining what was going on with my shoulder. My treatment was successful. Unfortunately I seem to have done something to my shoulder since then which has knackered it again, so looks like I will be going back to see him, but that is another story.

      Best of luck. These shoulders are, quite literally, a pain.

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