Acromioclavicular Joint is the top joint of the shoulder, that acts as a junction between the clavicle and the acromion. This joint is held in place with the help of three ligaments. The primary function of the Acromioclavicular Joint or AC joint is that it enables a person to raise the arm over your head.
In the case of any damage to the ligaments, there is a difficulty in the movement of the arm. The most common issue with the AC joint is a separation or dislocation. The leading cause of AC joint disorder is an injury while playing any of the collision sport like football, judo, Aussie rules, Rugby, Ice Hockey, Mountain Biking, Horse Riding, Swimming, or skateboarding.
When a person falls over the tip of the shoulder or on an outstretched hand, the result is severe damage to ligaments. To fix the issue, the orthopaedic surgeon makes use of the healing process, called AC Joint Repair.
AC Joint Damage can be painful and obstructs a patient to perform his daily chores. So, to fix the problem and get back to a healthy life, one has to undergo the treatment. Most of the patients avoid the surgical procedure, due to the involvement of high prices to accomplish the surgery. But, it is not the case in India.
The cost of AC Joint Repair starts at the rate of USD 1,400 in India and can go as high as USD 3,500. The variation in price depends on the type of damage and requirement of surgical proceedings.
AC Joint Repair refers to the process of fixing the torn ligaments of the AC Joint either by suturing the ligaments together or grafting. The treatment or the repairing process highly depends on the degree of damage. Different types of injuries call for separate proceedings of the procedure. It is possible to fix the issue in the initial stages by making use of the therapies and other nonsurgical methods, but for more complex injuries; surgery is a must to regain the functionality of the joint.
The surgeons recommend AC Joint Repair Surgery to people suffering from the resulting damage or disorder: Sudden blow in the shoulder Dislocation of the AC joint Injuries that leads to detachment of clavicle and acromion A bump or bulge above the section where the collar bone meets the point of the shoulder Loss of mobility of the hand above the head Chronic pain Severe sports injury Accident causing fracture or ligament damage.
There are three main categories of AC Joint Injuries: Type I and II : These are mild injuries that can be treated by ice therapy, sling or simple physio or occupational therapies. Type III, IV, V, and VI: The treatment of these severe injuries is not possible with medicines or therapies. The surgeons use surgery to heal these significant disorders. However, it is possible to treat the type III disorder, both by surgery and without surgery. It depends on the opinion of the orthopaedists, degree of damage and also the overall health of the patient. Another essential aspect that determines the procedure of treatment is the cause of the injury. If the shoulder separation is due to a sports injury, surgeons opt for surgical proceedings. Step by Step Procedure for AC Joint Repair Surgery: Before the surgery, the orthopaedists suggests some imaging tests on the patient. After the complete analysis of the diagnosis reports, the surgeon marks the point of surgery and begin with the treatment. It is an outpatient surgery that is performed under the effect of local anaesthesia. Now, an incision is made around the point of surgery, to insert the arthroscope and fix the broken ligaments. To treat the severity of the torn ligaments, it is impossible to fix the existing ones. So, the doctor makes use of donor ligaments. Orthopaedists, may either retrieve the graft from the patient's body itself or a donor. The surgeon cannot use artificial tissue in the surgery and has to rely on natural substitute itself. Once, the process is complete; the surgeon closes the incision. It is one of the most efficient ways to regain the stability of the shoulder joint. The outcome of the surgery is the long-term refixation of the joint without any significant complications. Post Surgical Care: The patient has to take care for a specific period after the surgery. Once the patient regains consciousness, the doctor shifts him to the recovery centre. Here, the medical team guides him with all the do's and don'ts. The patient must stick to the instructions, even after going back to the home. As it is a minimally invasive surgery and does not involve many complications, doctors usually discharge the patient within 48 hours. You must not lift any heavyweights, for a minimum duration of a month — practice physiotherapy as guided by the therapists and visit doctors periodically for a checkup. It may take three to six months to recover entirely after the surgery, depending upon the condition of the patient.
The surgery is highly successful with the least complications. However, there can be a few complications like: Loss of fixation Loss of stability in joint It is not an immediate side-effect after the surgery. This condition occurs in the case of reinjury on the same shoulder. Sometimes, the severity of the condition may call for repeat surgery to get over the damage. Apart from that, another significant benefit of getting your treatment in India is that you will never come across any inconvenience. Being the medical tourist, you can approach Denesa Health and the team will make all the required arrangements for your treatment in India. You will save on your time, money, efforts and also will be able to hit back your sports ground at the earliest.
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