The Shoulder Practice Orthopedic surgeon Milnerton

The Shoulder Practice – Orthopaedic Shoulder Surgeon in Milnerton

About Dr Christelle van der Watt

Welcome to The Shoulder Practice. I’m Dr Christelle van der Watt, an experienced orthopaedic surgeon specialising in shoulder care. My goal is to deliver personalised treatment that restores shoulder health and helps you lead an active, pain-free life. I combine my local and international experience to offer you the best possible care.

At The Shoulder Practice, I focus on diagnosing and treating a wide range of shoulder conditions. Whether you require conservative management or advanced surgical treatment, I tailor each approach to suit your unique needs. I believe in providing the best care, ensuring you achieve optimal outcomes.

Services Offered by The Shoulder Practice

I offer a comprehensive range of services, from conservative treatments to advanced surgical interventions, ensuring that we can meet your shoulder health needs at every stage.

Conservative Management

We begin treatment with conservative options to help manage shoulder conditions effectively. These include:

• Medication – To help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.
• Corticosteroid Injections – Targeted injections to relieve pain and inflammation in the shoulder.
• Activity Modification – Adjusting daily activities to avoid further strain on the shoulder.
• Assistive Devices – Tools like slings and supports to aid in healing and improve mobility.

These treatments allow us to address your shoulder concerns with the least invasive methods, while still aiming for relief and improvement.

Rotator Cuff Injury

If you suffer from a rotator cuff tear, either from injury or wear-and-tear, we have various treatment options, including:

• Arthroscopic Repair – We use small incisions and a camera to repair the torn tendon with sutures or anchors.
• Open Surgery – In more complex cases, we may perform open surgery to restore full shoulder function.

Shoulder Arthroscopy

For many shoulder problems, arthroscopy is a great solution. This minimally invasive procedure involves making 2-3 small incisions. We use a tiny camera to visualise and treat the shoulder joint, allowing us to perform the procedure with minimal disruption. This technique results in less recovery time compared to traditional surgeries.

Shoulder Joint Replacement

When the shoulder joint is severely damaged, we may recommend a shoulder replacement. There are two types of replacements:

• Total Shoulder Replacement – We replace the entire joint with a prosthetic.
• Partial Shoulder Replacement – We only replace the damaged part of the joint.

Shoulder replacements are typically reserved for cases with significant joint damage, where other treatments no longer provide relief.

Additional Information

As the founder of The Shoulder Practice, I am committed to offering specialised care focused on shoulder health. I combine my extensive experience and expertise to provide effective treatments for shoulder injuries and conditions.

I believe in clear communication, personalised care, and an evidence-based approach to treatment. From the initial consultation through recovery, I ensure that we manage every aspect of your shoulder health.

If you are dealing with shoulder pain or injury, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation. I look forward to helping you regain full shoulder function and enhance your quality of life.

Contact The Shoulder Practice in Milnerton today to begin your journey toward a pain-free, active lifestyle.