New hope for chronic shoulder pain patients in Vadodara

Vadodara: Patients suffering from chronic shoulder pain and restricted arm movement can now access an advanced surgical treatment within the city, following Vadodara's first successful arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using a dermal allograft.The procedure was performed on a 62-year-old woman from Vadodara who had been experiencing left shoulder pain and severe restriction of movement for six months, affecting her daily activities. The operation was performed by consultant orthopaedic and shoulder surgeon Dr Dhruv Shah at Spandan Multispeciality Hospital on Tuesday and the patient was discharged within 24 hours.The rotator cuff, a group of tendons that stabilise the shoulder and enable arm movement, is prone to tears that can cause persistent pain, weakness and difficulty in routine activities such as lifting objects, combing hair or reaching overhead. In cases of chronic or large tears, conventional repair techniques may not provide adequate strength.Explaining the procedure, Dr Shah said the dermal allograft acts as a biological reinforcement. "The graft works like a support patch, strengthening the tendon repair and promoting better healing. This significantly reduces the risk of re-tear and improves long-term shoulder function, even in complex or long-standing cases," he said.The surgery is performed arthroscopically using a camera and small incisions, resulting in minimal scarring, less post-operative pain, faster recovery and an earlier return to daily activities.Until now, patients requiring such advanced shoulder reconstruction often had to travel to metropolitan cities. With this development, specialised shoulder care is now available in Vadodara and nearby regions.Dr Ranjan Aiyer, medical superintendent of the state-run SSG Hospital, said Dr Shah also serves as a contractual assistant professor at the govt hospital, enabling underprivileged patients to benefit from advanced shoulder surgeries.