Shoulder replacement surgery is a medical procedure that is performed to alleviate pain and restore function in patients with shoulder joint damage due to arthritis or other conditions. This surgery is recommended when non-surgical treatments such as medication and physical therapy are no longer effective. Shoulder replacement surgery has become increasingly common in recent years, and medical tourism is playing a significant role in making it more accessible and affordable to people from all around the world.
Platforms like Medditour help connecting patients requiring shoulder replacement with international hospitals and facilitators for affordable treatments in no waste of time in waiting.
In this article, let us have a detailed look into the need for shoulder replacement, treatments available, how it is done, and how medical tourism impacts shoulder joint replacement.
Need for Shoulder Replacement Surgery
Shoulder joint damage can be caused by a variety of conditions, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and traumatic injuries. These conditions can cause pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion in the shoulder joint, making everyday activities difficult or impossible. In severe cases, shoulder replacement surgery may be the best option for patients to alleviate their pain and regain their mobility.
Shoulder Replacement Surgery – A Glimpse
Shoulder replacement surgery involves replacing the damaged joint with a prosthetic device made of metal and plastic. The surgery can be performed using several techniques, including traditional open surgery or minimally invasive surgery. In traditional open surgery, a large incision is made in the shoulder to access the joint, whereas in minimally invasive surgery, several small incisions are made to insert a tiny camera and surgical instruments. The benefits of minimally invasive surgery are less scarring, less painful, and a quicker recovery time.
University of California San Francisco states that total shoulder replacement is a very successful operation and the 10 year survival rate is up to 90 percent and patients are able to get extremely functional shoulders and are able to perform daily activities and low impact sports activities without any pain.
Making Shoulder Replacement Surgery Accessible
According to American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, it is said that today, about 53,000 people in the U.S. have shoulder replacement surgery each year, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, which shows the growing need for medical tourism for shoulder replacement surgery. Medical tourism offers a cost-effective solution to patients who cannot afford expensive medical treatments in their home countries or face long waiting lists. In addition, medical tourism offers access to medical facilities and treatments that may not be available in the patient’s home country.
Medical tourism has also made shoulder replacement surgery more accessible to patients worldwide. Many countries, including India, Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai, Turkey, Thailand, and Mexico offer high-quality medical facilities that perform shoulder replacement surgery at a fraction of the cost of the same surgery in the United States or Europe. In addition, many medical tourism companies offer packages that include travel, accommodation, and medical treatment, making it easier for patients to plan and book their medical travel.
Companies like Medditour offer the patients for combining their shoulder replacement surgeries along with vacation, during which time the patients can spend their rehab period at resorts in international destinations along with their families. They can also cover certain tourist places after their rehab with the advice of their surgeon. Countries like India, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand also offer aroma and oil massage therapies as alternative treatments which might be taken on advice from the surgeons. Physical therapies and exercise sessions can also be sought out, if required.
In conclusion, shoulder replacement surgery is a life-changing medical procedure that can alleviate pain and restore function in patients with shoulder joint damage. Medical tourism is playing a significant role in making this surgery more accessible and affordable to patients worldwide.