About Arthrodesis Shoulder
Key Highlights
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Provides a permanent solution for a painful, unstable, or paralyzed shoulder joint.Eliminates chronic pain caused by joint destruction or instability.Creates a stable base of support, allowing for improved function of the elbow and hand.Can significantly improve a child's ability to perform daily activities and enhance quality of life.Offers a definitive surgical option when joint-preserving procedures are not possible or have failed.
Who is this surgery for?
- Severe, irreparable brachial plexus birth injuries (obstetrical palsy) with a flail shoulder.
- Paralytic conditions affecting the shoulder (e.g., from polio or cerebral palsy) leading to instability.
- Failed previous shoulder surgeries where reconstruction is not feasible.
- Severe arthritis or joint destruction from infection (septic arthritis) or trauma.
- Tumor resection requiring removal of the joint surfaces.
- Chronic, debilitating shoulder dislocation that cannot be stabilized by other means.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive evaluation including detailed physical exam, X-rays, and often a CT scan to assess bone structure.
- Discussion of goals, expectations, and permanent loss of shoulder motion with the child (if age-appropriate) and family.
- Pre-operative medical clearance, which may involve blood tests and a cardiac evaluation.
- Planning for post-surgery needs, including home adjustments, time off school, and physical therapy schedule.
- Fasting as instructed by the surgical team, typically starting the night before surgery.
Risks & possible complications
- Infection at the surgical site or in the bone (osteomyelitis).
- Failure of the bones to fuse together (nonunion).
- Nerve or blood vessel injury during surgery.
- Hardware irritation, breakage, or the need for future removal.
- Persistent pain or the development of pain in adjacent joints (like the scapula or elbow).
- Complications related to anesthesia.
- Unsatisfactory positioning of the fused arm, affecting function.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Hospital stay of 2-4 days for pain management and initial monitoring.
- The arm will be immobilized in a sling or shoulder spica cast for 8-12 weeks to protect the fusion.
- Strict adherence to weight-bearing and movement restrictions is crucial for successful healing.
- Pain is managed with medications, gradually tapering off as healing progresses.
- Physical therapy begins early to maintain elbow, wrist, and hand motion, with shoulder-specific exercises only after fusion is confirmed on X-ray.
- Regular follow-up X-rays are needed to monitor bone healing.
- Full recovery and adaptation to the fused shoulder can take 6-12 months.
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Typical hospital stay: 2-4 days
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Expected recovery time: 6-12 months for full adaptation (8-12 weeks in strict immobilization)
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering arthrodesis shoulder in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with pediatric orthopedics departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform arthrodesis shoulder. MediFyr helps you compare pediatric orthopedics and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for arthrodesis shoulder compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 180 Thousand – 350 Thousand | 2-4 days | ~ 6-12 months for full adaptation (8-12 weeks in strict immobilization) | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 630 Thousand – 1.23 Million | 2-4 days | ~ 6-12 months for full adaptation (8-12 weeks in strict immobilization) | Know More |
Ananya Reddy is a 13-year-old aspiring...
Ananya Reddy is a 13-year-old aspiring artist from a small town. She was born with a severe brachial plexus injury during a difficult delivery, leaving her right arm weak and her shoulder chronically dislocated. Despite years of physical therapy, her shoulder remained unstable, causing constant pain that made it difficult for her to hold a paintbrush or sketchbook for more than a few minutes. Her dream of attending art school felt increasingly out of reach. Dr. Evans, her pediatric orthopedic surgeon, explained that an arthrodesis (surgical fusion) of her shoulder was the best option to eliminate the painful instability and provide a stable platform for her elbow and hand to function. Though scared of losing shoulder motion, Ananya was more terrified of a future without art. The surgery was major, and the initial recovery in a shoulder spica cast was challenging. However, as she healed, the debilitating pain vanished. With intensive occupational therapy, she learned to use her scapula and trunk to move her arm. A year later, Ananya can paint for hours without pain, her grip is strong, and she is confidently preparing her portfolio for art school applications. Her journey was one of trading a painful, useless joint for a stable, pain-free base, allowing her true passion to flourish.
Pediatric Orthopedics for Arthrodesis Shoulder
Explore experienced pediatric orthopedics who regularly perform arthrodesis shoulder and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 14 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad, Ghaziabad
- 23 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata