The first total shoulder replacement operation has been carried out at Noble’s Hospital, paving the way for more specialist orthopaedic procedures to take place on the Isle of Man.

Manx Care says the milestone marks an important step towards allowing more patients to receive treatment closer to home, rather than travelling off-island for surgery.

It is the first of several orthopaedic procedures previously carried out elsewhere that the health provider hopes to introduce at Noble’s Hospital.

Over the past 18 months, a multidisciplinary team has worked to develop and establish the Upper Limb Orthopaedic Service, covering both trauma and planned procedures.

The landmark shoulder replacement took place on November 5 and offers new treatment options for patients living with arthritis when non-surgical approaches are no longer effective.

The operation can help relieve pain and restore movement and function in the affected shoulder.

The shoulder replacement system was provided through collaboration between nurse Martin Corlett, consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon Mr Nasri Zreik and medical technology company Stryker.

Mr Zreik said: ‘Being able to provide this surgery locally is a real step forward for patients and the wider community.

‘It means patients can have their treatment, from initial assessment and surgery through to rehabilitation and aftercare, without the added stress, expense and inconvenience of travelling off-island.

‘Just as importantly, our patients can recover closer to home, surrounded by their family and support networks.’

Mr Zreik said the achievement was only the beginning, with ambitions to expand the range of procedures available locally.

He added: ‘There is still much we hope to achieve as the service continues to develop, with the aim of bringing more treatments to the Island and reducing the need for patients to travel for care that can be safely and effectively delivered here.

‘I am extremely grateful to everyone who has contributed their time, expertise and support to making this possible, including the Stryker team.’