Your shoulder care in Paris

Every international patient benefits from a tailored organisation, coordinated by our Executive Coordinator, Hala Rahmoun-Oueini, dedicated to international patients. She manages the entire care pathway: remote consultations, medical record analysis, planning of the shoulder surgery, hospitalisation and post-operative follow-up. Fluent in Arabic, French, English and Spanish, she ensures clear and reassuring communication at every step. This personalised organisation is essential for our patients, particularly when undergoing an anatomical or reverse total shoulder replacement. 

Patients travelling from abroad for shoulder surgery in France benefit from comprehensive support, designed for their comfort and peace of mind. Whether for an anatomical total shoulder replacement or a reverse total shoulder replacement, Dr. Philippe Collin’s team arranges a bespoke stay, including the choice of accommodation suited to recovery: high-end hotels and serviced residences. Each venue is selected to offer comfort, privacy and security, while respecting the medical and cultural needs of our patients.

Operations are performed at the American Hospital of Paris, an institution unique of its kind: it is the only civilian hospital outside the United States accredited by the Joint Commission, the international benchmark for healthcare quality and safety. The American Hospital of Paris has also been certified Level A by the French Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) since December 2019, a mark of excellence by French standards.

This rare combination of surgical expertise and international hospital standards enables our patients to enjoy a calm, secure stay, conducive to optimal recovery, under the supervision of a shoulder hyper-specialist: Dr. Philippe Collin.

Transparency is an absolute priority for us. Every patient with shoulder pain receives a detailed, clear quote, provided before travel to France. Whether for an anatomical total shoulder replacement or a reverse total shoulder replacement, all fees, timelines and care arrangements are explained openly. We show flexibility to accommodate travel constraints and the specific expectations of our patients. This rigorous, human and respectful approach contributes to the reputation of Dr. Philippe Collin, internationally recognised as a shoulder hyper-specialist and consulted by many patients seeking the best shoulder surgeon. 

You have your first appointment with your surgeon, Doctor Philippe Collin. In the vast majority of cases, your GP sends a letter setting out your medical and surgical history and the anamnesis (history of the condition), together with any treatments you may have received. This letter is accompanied by additional examinations — at a minimum X-rays and ultrasound, sometimes a CT-arthrogram or MRI.

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The aim of this first consultation is to take stock of your pathology, reviewing your full history through detailed questioning, a comprehensive clinical examination of your joint mobility, testing of your tendons and muscles, laxity examination, and the use of clinical scores to objectively quantify your discomfort.

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This clinical examination, together with the analysis of your additional tests, will allow Doctor Philippe Collin to propose tailored care: rehabilitation, corticosteroid injections, further investigations and/or, in some cases, a surgical indication right away (recurrent shoulder dislocations, traumatic rotator cuff tear, well-documented failure of properly conducted medical treatment). Sometimes a second or even third consultation is necessary to analyse the prescribed tests, look for improvement following medical treatment, and reassess the progression of your symptoms. Before any surgical decision, a period of reflection is essential, as post-operative recovery lasts several weeks or even months, requiring rehabilitation and a period off work — necessarily longer for so-called manual occupations.

Sometimes there is no alternative to surgical treatment. This decision is taken between Doctor Philippe Collin and you, in the form of an oral contract: you agree to follow the instructions you are given, so that your recovery can be as swift and straightforward as possible. This is teamwork in which you are at the heart of the care.

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We do everything possible to ensure your pre-operative care, hospital stay and post-operative follow-up are optimal. Once this decision has been made, our assistants will manage your clinical pathway: appointment with the anaesthetist, with one of our physiotherapists for a pre-operative training session, and the date of surgery will be set according to our availability and your preferences.

You will also receive a booklet containing all the information about your surgery (Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement, Anatomical Total Shoulder Replacement, Rotator Cuff Repair, DAS-Bankart, Acromioplasty for Calcification) to support you throughout your care.