When to seek a shoulder specialist

Early assessment prevents small tears from becoming chronic weakness. Night pain, painful arc when lifting the arm, repeated dislocations, or loss of confidence in overhead sport are common reasons patients book.

  • Rotator cuff tears — partial and full thickness
  • Recurrent shoulder dislocation and instability (including sport injuries)
  • Impingement and bursitis that has not improved with physiotherapy
  • Frozen shoulder (stiff painful shoulder)
  • AC joint pain and selected biceps-related symptoms
  • Shoulder arthritis — when replacement is discussed

Surgical & non-surgical options

Many shoulders improve with targeted physiotherapy, injections, and activity modification. When surgery is appropriate, minimally invasive arthroscopy is used where possible; open repair or replacement is chosen when exposure and fixation demand it.

  • Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and subacromial decompression
  • Instability surgery — Bankart repair and remplissage when indicated
  • Biceps tenotomy or tenodesis for selected cases
  • Total shoulder replacement and reverse shoulder replacement for arthritis
  • Fracture-related shoulder surgery in coordination with trauma care

Surgeries & procedures — shoulder

Shoulder care spans arthroscopic minimally invasive repair through to shoulder replacement. Procedures below reflect the consultant scope at OSclinic — rotator cuff surgery, instability operations, and arthroplasty when arthritis or fracture damage requires it.

Rotator cuff & impingement

  • Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair — partial and full thickness tears
  • Subacromial decompression for persistent impingement
  • Acromioclavicular (AC) joint procedures for painful arthritis or separation
  • Calcific tendinitis needling or arthroscopic release

Instability & labrum

  • Arthroscopic Bankart repair for anterior instability
  • Remplissage for engaging Hill-Sachs lesions when indicated
  • Posterior instability repair in selected cases
  • SLAP and biceps-related surgery (tenotomy or tenodesis) when appropriate

Shoulder arthroplasty (replacement)

  • Anatomic total shoulder replacement for arthritis with intact rotator cuff
  • Reverse shoulder replacement for cuff-tear arthritis or complex fractures
  • Hemiarthroplasty for some fracture patterns in older patients

Arthroscopy & fracture-related shoulder surgery

  • Diagnostic and therapeutic shoulder arthroscopy
  • Proximal humerus fracture fixation or replacement planning
  • Clavicle fracture fixation when surgery is required
  • Coordination with trauma care for combined upper-limb injuries

Recovery expectations

Recovery differs sharply between a cuff repair and a replacement. You receive a phase-based plan: sling use, passive then active motion, strengthening, and return to driving or sport only when milestones are met.

Arabic and English explanations help families understand restrictions — especially after instability surgery in young athletes.

Shoulder fellowship background

Australian fellowship training at St George Hospital, University of New South Wales, focused on shoulder, sports medicine, and joint replacement — applied to complex cuff and instability cases in Jordan.

Other specialist areas

Common questions

What is the difference between cuff repair and shoulder replacement?

Cuff repair treats a torn tendon while the joint surfaces are still healthy. Replacement is for advanced arthritis or irreparable joint damage — the ball and socket are resurfaced with implants.

I keep dislocating my shoulder — what are my options?

Recurrent instability in young patients often needs arthroscopic repair of the labrum (Bankart) and sometimes remplissage. Physiotherapy remains essential; surgery is discussed when dislocations continue despite rehab.

How long will I wear a sling after shoulder surgery?

Sling time varies: instability surgery may need longer protection than some arthroscopic procedures. You receive a written phase plan rather than a single answer for every operation.

Is night pain always a rotator cuff tear?

Night pain and painful overhead movement are common with cuff problems, but other conditions can mimic this. Examination and ultrasound or MRI help confirm the diagnosis.

What is reverse shoulder replacement?

Reverse geometry shifts the centre of rotation when the rotator cuff is torn and arthritic — restoring painless lifting in many older patients. It is different from anatomic replacement, which needs a functioning cuff.