Ask the Doctor - December Scotland on Sunday columns

Sunday 18th December - Gallstones Operation

Gallstones that are not causing symptoms are usually left alone.

If, however, you are experiencing symptoms, you should start to consider having your gallbladder removed as there is an increased risk of gallstone-related complications.

Gallstones may pass in to the main bile pipe causing obstruction and infection of the gallbladder  cholecystitis), inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) or obstructive jaundice (yellow eyes). These complications can make you very ill and usually end up in a prolonged hospital admission.

If your GP thinks you may have gallstones, you will be referred to a consultant general surgeon,  who will arrange for you to have diagnostic imaging (ultrasound) to determine whether surgery is your best option. Gallstones are routinely removed with keyhole surgery and recovery in the majority of cases is uncomplicated. Patients usually return to work in one or two weeks.

Sunday 11th December - Shoulder Pain

Mr Sunil Sharma is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Spire Murrayfield Hospital.

Research suggests that up to 80 per cent of teenagers will develop recurrent instability after a first dislocation.

This risk is only higher in people who play contact sports. A large proportion of teenagers will give up contact sports after school and college years and are happy to accept less demanding sports.

For patients who are keen to carry on with contact sports, the alternative is a surgical procedure.

The decision to have an open or arthroscopic shoulder stabilisation depends on many factors. The cause of shoulder instability and the amount of bony injury to the humeral head (ball) and glenoid (socket) are important considerations.

Ask your GP to refer you to an orthopaedic shoulder surgeon. They will arrange for diagnostic imaging and discuss the treatment options with you.

Sunday 4th December - Stress Incontinence

Dr Simon Nicholson is a Consultant Gynaecologist at Spire Murrayfield Hospital who specialises in surgery for prolapse and incontinence.

Stress incontinence is a common problem in women following childbirth. It happens due to weakness of the normal pelvic floor support mechanisms. The common symptoms are leakage of urine with coughing, sneezing and during exercise.

Physiotherapy can help by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. If the problem continues surgery could be considered.

The operation we perform is a Tensionfree Vaginal Tape (TVT) which has a very high cure rate. The surgery involves inserting a small sling beneath the urethra. It takes 20 minutes to perform and women are discharged home from hospital within 24 hours. Most patients are able to drive within a week and are back to work within two weeks of the procedure.