shoulder joint replacement surgery

What is a Shoulder Replacement?

A shoulder replacement is a surgical procedure in which the ball-shaped bone at the top of the upper arm is removed and replaced with a metal substitute.

PreOp® Patient Education: Shoulder Joint Replacement Surgery

https://preop.com/preop/shoulder-replacement-open-surgery/

Your doctor has told you that need to undergo shoulder replacement surgery. But what does that actually mean?

As you move your arm, the ball-shaped end of the upper arm, or humerus, moves against a cup-like depression in shoulder bone, or scapula.

As long as the upper arm can slide against the shoulder, you are able to move your arm comfortably. But over time, especially in patients who suffer from arthritis, the shoulder joint can wear down.

Cartilage, the tissue that cushions the bones and makes it possible for them to move smoothly against each other can wear away.

When this happens, the bones run together, causing pain and restricting arm movement. No matter what the cause, one of the most effective ways to fix a damaged shoulder is to replace it surgically.

In this procedure, the ball-shaped bone at the top of the upper arm is removed   and replaced with a metal substitute.

The shoulder socket is widened and lined with a smooth pad that allows the metal ball joint to move more freely against the shoulder blade.

Shoulder replacement surgery is a major operation, but your doctor believes that the procedure -- followed up with physical therapy and time to heal -- will result in reduced pain and greater mobility.

Your Procedure:

On the day of your operation, you will be asked to put on a surgical gown.

You may receive a sedative by mouth and an intravenous line may be put in.

You will then be transferred to an operating table.

In the operating room, a nurse will prepare by clipping or shaving the skin around the shoulder.

The anesthesiologist will begin to administer anesthesia - most probably general anesthesia by injection and inhalation mask.

The surgeon will then apply an antiseptic solution to the skin  and place a sterile drape around the operative site.

Then, when you are asleep, the surgical team will make an incision over the shoulder.

The team will pull the skin aside to reveal the muscle tissue below. They'll then make another incision to reveal the shoulder joint.

Next, the team pulls the top of the arm bone out of the shoulder socket.

Using a precision surgical saw, your doctor will carefully remove the ball-shaped end of the upper arm.

Then, the surgical team will use a high-speed drill to hollow out the top of the arm bone.

A specially fitted artificial ball joint slides into the top of the arm bone.

Next, your doctor will smooth the inner surface of the shoulder socket.

Once the socket has been thoroughly cleaned, the artificial lining will be secured in place.

The artificial ball joint is turned inward and fit into the socket... and the team carefully checks to make sure that it fits and allows the full range of normal motion.

Muscle and other tissues are closed over the joint using dissolvable stitches. A temporary draining tube may be added.

#health, #Shoulder, #chronicpain

PreOp® Endoscopy - Upper GI Surgery

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Patient Engagement and Education Company

Your doctor has recommended that you have an upper GI endoscopy. But what does that actually mean?

An upper GI endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure used by your doctor to inspect the inside of your throat, esophagus, stomach and upper intestine.

While it's considered a surgical procedure, endoscopy does not involve an incision. Instead, your doctor will pass a flexible tube, called an endoscope through your mouth and into your stomach and digestive tract.

This tube has a tiny video camera mounted on its tip,

it also contains a small tool used for taking tissue samples.

Because the passageway from the mouth to the opening of the small intestine is usually unobstructed, your doctor can use the endoscope to inspect the entire upper half of your digestive system.

Reasons for undergoing an upper GI endoscopy vary. You may have been suffering from one or more of a number symptoms - including weight loss, abdominal pain, chronic heartburn or indigestion, gastritis, hiatal hernia, trouble swallowing, pain caused by an ulcer or other problems associated with the stomach and digestive system.

Some gastrointestinal symptoms can be warning signs of serious medical problems and you should take your doctor's recommendation to have an endoscopy very seriously.

Luckily, the vast majority of medical problems diagnosed by endoscopy are treatable and you should look forward to improved health and comfort as a result of the information gathered during the procedure. 

Your Procedure:

On the day of your operation, you will be asked to put on a surgical gown, you may receive a sedative by mouth

and an intravenous line may be put in.

You will then be transferred to the operating table, and positioned comfortably on your left side.

A nurse will begin preparation by spraying a liquid anesthetic into your throat.

To help you hold your mouth open, a small mouth piece will be placed between your teeth.

To create a better viewing area, your stomach will be filled with a small quantity of air which may cause you to have a feeling of fullness.

After a few minutes, your mouth and throat will feel numb.

The doctor will then insert the endoscope into your mouth and gently guide it towards your stomach and small intestine.

To better examine abnormal-looking tissues, your doctor may choose to take one or more biopsies.

Small instruments sent through the interior of the endoscope are able to painlessly remove small samples of tissue with a small scissor like tool by simply snipping them free.

After a thorough exam, the endoscope is carefully removed... and the support piece is taken out of your mouth.

Any tissue specimens removed during the procedure will be sent immediately to a lab for microscopic analysis. Your doctor will tell you when to expect results from those tests.

Patient Engagement and Education Company

PreOp® Breast Biopsy Needle Surgery

NEW PreOp.com site Patient Education Company

Your doctor has recommended that you undergo a breast biopsy procedure - using a hollow needle to sample a portion of a lump or thickening in the breast. But what does that actually mean?

Biopsy is a general term which simply means "the removal of tissue for microscopic examination."

Your doctor intends to remove tissue from the breast - not because you're necessarily ill - but because breast biopsy is a very accurate method for analyzing breast tissue.

Because it provides such accurate diagnostic information, breast biopsy is an important diagnostic tool in the fight against breast cancer.

In your case, you have lump in your breast which is too small to be felt by touch.

Your radiologist detected this abnormality while reviewing your recent mammogram - or breast x-ray. Let's take a moment to look at the reasons why lumps form in breast tissue.

The breast is made of layers of skin, fat and breast tissue - all of which overlay the pectoralis muscle. Breast tissue itself is made up of a network of tiny milk-carrying ducts and there are three ways in which a lump can form among them.

Most women experience periodic changes to their breasts. Cysts are some of the most common kinds of tissues that can grow large enough to be felt and to cause tenderness. Cysts often grow and then shrink without any medical intervention.

A second kind of lump is caused by changes in breast tissue triggered by the growth of a cyst. Even after the cyst itself has gone away, it can leave fibrous tissue behind. This scar tissue can often be large enough to be felt.

The third kind of growth is a tumor. Tumors can be either benign or cancerous and it is concern about this type of growth that has lead your doctor to recommend breast biopsy.

In order to learn more about the nature of the lump in your breast your doctor would like to surgically remove it.

Most likely, you're feeling some anxiety about this procedure, which is perfectly understandable. You should realize that it's natural to feel apprehensive about any kind of biopsy. In some cases, a woman will choose not to have a biopsy simply out of fear.

But ignoring a lump in your breast won't make it go away.

If you're feeling anxious, try to remember that the purpose of a biopsy is simply to find out what is going on in your body - so that if you do have a problem, it can be diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible.

If you should decide not to allow your doctor to perform the biopsy, you'll be leaving yourself at risk for medical problems.

If the suspicious tissue in your breast is benign, most likely you'll suffer few if any complications. However, if it is cancerous, and it is allowed to grow unchecked - you might be putting your own life at risk.

The bottom line - trust that your doctor is recommending this procedure for your benefit and above all don't be afraid to ask questions raised by this video and to talk openly about your concerns.

On the day of your operation, you will be asked to put on a surgical gown. You may receive a sedative by mouth and an intravenous line may be put in.

You will then be transferred to the operating table. Your doctor will scrub thoroughly and will apply an antiseptic solution to the skin around the area where the needle will be inserted.

Then, the doctor will place a sterile drape or towels around the operative site...
and will inject a local anesthetic. This will sting a bit, but your breast will quickly begin to feel numb. Usually, the surgeon will inject more than one spot - in order to make sure that the entire area is thoroughly numb.

After allowing a few minutes for the anesthetic to take effect, the surgeon will insert the biopsy needle and guide it toward the lump.

You will feel some pressure or even slight tugging or pulling - but you should not feel any sharp pain. If you do begin to feel pain, you should tell the doctor.

Once the tip of the needle has penetrated the lump, the doctor will draw material from the lump up into the collection chamber.

Depending on the size and location of the lump your doctor may choose to reposition the needle and draw additional tissue for analysis. Finally, a sterile dressing is applied.

Your specimen will be sent immediately to a lab for microscopic analysis. Your doctor will tell you when to expect result from those tests.

PreOp® Hip Replacement Surgery Patient Education

Patient Education Company
You doctor has recommended that you undergo hip replacement surgery. But what exactly does that mean?

The hip joint is the place where the thighbone - called the femur - and the hipbone - called the pelvis - meet.

As you walk, the ball-shaped end of the thigh moves within a cuplike depression on the side of the hip.

As long as the thigh can move smoothly against the hip, you are able to walk comfortably. But over time, especially in patients who suffer from arthritis or rheumatism, the hip joint can wear down.