HomeConditions & surgery guides

Shoulder & elbow conditions and surgery guides

Clear, surgeon-reviewed information on common shoulder and elbow problems, the treatment options, and what to expect if you need an operation.

Conditions

Shoulder
Shoulder

Rotator cuff tear

A tear of one or more of the four rotator cuff tendons. Tears occur at the tendon…

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Shoulder

Frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) causes progressive pain and global stiffness of…

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Shoulder

Shoulder replacement

Shoulder replacement (arthroplasty) replaces the damaged glenohumeral joint surfaces…

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Shoulder

Biceps tendon rupture

The biceps tendon can tear at the top, where it attaches at the shoulder, or at the…

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Shoulder

Shoulder instability

Shoulder instability describes a spectrum of conditions where the humeral head moves…

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Elbow
Elbow

Tennis elbow

Tennis elbow is a common, painful condition affecting the tendons on the outside of the…

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Elbow

Elbow arthritis

Elbow arthritis is wear and damage to the smooth cartilage lining the elbow joint,…

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Elbow

Cubital tunnel syndrome

Cubital tunnel syndrome happens when one of the main nerves of the arm (the ulnar nerve)…

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Elbow

Golfers elbow

Golfers elbow (medial epicondylitis or medial epicondylalgia) is a tendinopathy of the…

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Injuries & fractures
Shoulder

AC joint injury

An injury to the small joint at the top of the shoulder, where the collarbone meets the…

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Shoulder

Humeral shaft fracture

A break in the middle of the upper arm bone (the bone between the shoulder and the…

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Shoulder

Proximal humeral fracture

A break at the top of the upper arm bone, close to the shoulder joint. This is one of…

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Elbow

Distal humeral fracture

A break of the upper arm bone at the elbow end. Most adults need surgery to fix this…

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Shoulder

Clavicle fracture

A break of the collarbone. This is one of the most commonly broken bones in the body.…

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Elbow

Olecranon fracture

A break of the bony tip of the elbow, the part you can feel as a hard knob when you bend…

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Surgery preparation guides

Shoulder
Shoulder

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

Everything you need to know to prepare for your surgery - from your pre-assessment…

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Shoulder

Arthroscopic capsular release

Capsular release is considered when frozen shoulder has not responded to physiotherapy,…

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Shoulder

Shoulder replacement (arthroplasty)

Shoulder replacement is a major but highly effective operation. Good preparation makes a…

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Shoulder

Distal biceps tendon repair

Distal biceps repair reattaches the torn tendon to the radial tuberosity to restore…

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Shoulder

Arthroscopic Bankart repair (or Latarjet procedure)

Surgery for shoulder instability aims to repair the damaged labrum and tighten the…

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Shoulder

Acromioclavicular joint repair or reconstruction

Surgery for AC joint injury is performed for high-grade injuries (Grades IV–VI) or Grade…

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Shoulder

Surgical fixation (intramedullary nail or plate and screws)

This guide is for people having surgery to fix a humeral shaft fracture. Fixation is…

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Shoulder

Collar-and-cuff sling (most patients) or surgery (selected cases)

Most broken shoulders, even when displaced, are treated in a simple sling with early…

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Shoulder

Broad arm sling (most patients) or plate fixation (selected patients)

Most broken collarbones heal perfectly well in a sling. Surgery is sometimes offered for…

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Elbow
Elbow

Lateral epicondyle release

Surgery for tennis elbow is considered only when at least 6–12 months of conservative…

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Elbow

Total elbow replacement (arthroplasty)

Elbow replacement is a major procedure. Careful preparation, realistic expectations, and…

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Elbow

Ulnar nerve decompression or transposition

Surgery for cubital tunnel syndrome aims to relieve pressure on the ulnar nerve at the…

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Elbow

Medial epicondyle release or debridement

Surgery for golfer's elbow is considered only after 6–12 months of appropriate…

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Elbow

Surgical fixation with plates and screws (most cases) or total elbow replacement (selected elderly patients)

A broken elbow near the joint usually needs surgery. The most important thing to know is…

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Elbow

Surgical fixation with wire or plate (most displaced fractures)

Most olecranon fractures, broken tips of the elbow, require surgery to fix the bone and…

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