Shoulder Arthroscopy Surgery

Shoulder arthroscopy is a type of surgery to examine or repair the tissues inside or around your shoulder joint. The procedure uses a small camera, called an arthroscope, which is inserted through a small incision.

WHEN IS SHOULDER ARTHROSCOPY RECOMMENDED?

Your doctor may recommend shoulder arthroscopy if you have a painful condition that does not respond to nonsurgical treatment. Nonsurgical treatment includes rest, physical therapy, and medications or injections that can reduce inflammation and allow injured tissues to heal. Inflammation is one of your body's normal reactions to injury or disease. In an injured or diseased shoulder joint, inflammation causes swelling, pain, and stiffness.
Injury, overuse, and age-related wear and tear are responsible for most shoulder problems. Shoulder arthroscopy may relieve painful symptoms of many problems that damage the rotator cuff tendons, labrum, articular cartilage, and other soft tissues surrounding the joint.

Common arthroscopic procedures include:

• Rotator cuff repair
• Removal or repair of the labrum
• Repair of ligaments
• Removal of inflamed tissue or loose cartilage
• Repair for recurrent shoulder dislocation

Less common procedures such as nerve release, fracture repair, and cyst excision can also be performed using an arthroscope. Some surgical procedures, such as shoulder replacement, still require open surgery with more extensive incisions.

OVERVIEW

If you have a joint problem, your surgeon may want to try arthroscopy. This let's your surgeon see inside your joint with a small, thin camera called an "arthroscope." It can be used on any joint but let's see it in the shoulder. 

Preperation

Your surgeon may inject fluid into the shoulder to inflate the joint. This makes it easier to see all the structures of your shoulder through the arthroscope. Then your surgeon will make a small puncture in your shoulder (about the size of a buttonhole) for the arthroscope. Fluid flows through the arthroscope to keep the view clear and control any bleeding. Images from the arthroscope are projected on the video screen showing your surgeon the inside of your shoulder and any damage.

Procedure

The arthroscope sends images of the inside of your joint to a video screen. Fluid is put in your joint to help give a clear view. Your surgeon looks for damaged tissue and other problems. If a problem is found, the surgeon may fix it without making any new cuts in your skin. But sometimes the surgeon needs to make another incision to treat your joint. 

End of Procedure

When the surgeon is done, the openings are closed and your skin is bandaged. Your healthcare provider will give you tips to help you recover. 

At The Shoulder Center at Andrews Sports Medicine, our fellowship-trained non-surgical physicians and orthopaedic surgeons provide the most-advanced, comprehensive treatment solutions for injuries and disorders of the shoulder. To schedule an appointment, call (205) 939-3699.