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 Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in Turkey 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 | USD 1,958 – USD 3,807 | 2-4 days | ~ 6-12 months for full adaptation (8-12 weeks in strict immobilization) | Know More |
| Turkey | USD 14,495 – USD 28,184 | 2-4 days | ~ 6-12 months for full adaptation (8-12 weeks in strict immobilization) | Know More |
Our 8-year-old daughter fractured her elbow...
Our 8-year-old daughter fractured her elbow in a playground fall, and Dr. Prashanth Inna was absolutely phenomenal. He explained the complex procedure in simple terms, calmed our nerves, and the minimally invasive surgery went perfectly. His follow-up care was thorough, and she's now back to gymnastics without any issues!