Emergency

Shoulder and Elbow Surgery

Pain in the shoulder or elbow can often severely restrict your daily life. The Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Department at Zuger Kantonsspital uses modern, predominantly minimally invasive techniques to help you regain mobility and relieve your pain. A specialist team of experienced consultants is on hand to provide you with a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs. 

+41 41 399 47 40+41 41 399 47 41orthopaedie@zgks.chOnline appointment booking

When treatment is advisable

Whether it’s torn tendons and ligaments, recurrent instability or signs of wear and tear such as shoulder or elbow osteoarthritis: there are many causes of shoulder and elbow problems. Specialised care is also crucial following complex fractures. The first step is always an accurate diagnosis. After all, only by knowing the cause can treatment be targeted effectively.

From diagnosis to the right treatment

First, our specialists in shoulder and elbow surgery will examine your joint and supplement the assessment with modern imaging techniques. Many shoulder surgical procedures can then be carried out arthroscopically – that is, using a minimally invasive ‘keyhole’ technique with small incisions. If a joint cannot be preserved due to severe wear and tear or a complex fracture, modern prostheses may be considered as joint replacements.

Why choose Zuger Kantonsspital?

As a Kantonsspital, we are close to the people we treat – both geographically and in terms of personal contact. With us, you as a patient, with your specific concerns, are at the centre of our attention, and you can count on the professional expertise and personal commitment of our staff. Short distances, reliable points of contact and continuous care are just as much a matter of course for us as professional expertise of the highest standard.

Services

  • Impingement and AC joint surgery (arthroscopy and open surgery)
  • Rotator cuff reconstruction (arthroscopy and open surgery)
  • Treatment of biceps tendon disorders
  • Muscle transfer for irreparable rotator cuff tears
  • Stabilisation of joint after shoulder dislocation by arthroscopy or open surgery
  • Arthroscopic and open reconstruction following AC joint dislocations
  • Shoulder joint replacement (anatomical, inverse)
  • Elbow joint replacement (partial and total replacement)
  • Correction of misalignments following shoulder fractures
  • Treatment of fractures (shoulder and elbow joints, shoulder blade and upper arm)
  • Elbow arthroscopy
  • Elbow ligament, tendon reconstruction and plastic surgery
  • Tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow (arthroscopic and open surgery)

Further Information

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What does shoulder and elbow surgery involve?

Shoulder and elbow surgery treats injuries and conditions affecting these joints. These include rotator cuff tears, instability, osteoarthritis and complex fractures. The aim is to relieve pain and restore mobility.

What does arthroscopic shoulder surgery involve?

During arthroscopy – the so-called ‘keyhole’ technique – the team performs the operation through a few small incisions in the skin, using a camera and fine instruments. The procedure is gentle on the tissue and, in many cases, allows for a quicker recovery than open surgery.

When is a shoulder replacement necessary?

A shoulder prosthesis may be considered if the joint can no longer be preserved due to severe wear and tear (shoulder osteoarthritis) or a complex fracture. Specialists will discuss with you on a case-by-case basis whether a joint replacement is appropriate.

What does the assessment process involve for shoulder or elbow pain?

The first step is a clinical examination carried out by specialist doctors, supplemented by imaging techniques such as X-rays, ultrasound or MRI. The appropriate treatment is then determined on this basis.