Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery

What is arthroscopic shoulder surgery?

Arthroscopic shoulder surgery, also called shoulder arthroscopy, is used to achieve a more accurate diagnosis of shoulder pain or to make repairs within the shoulder. 

This minimally invasive technique uses a lighted camera on a tube called an arthroscope to give your surgeon intimate views of the shoulder’s rotator cuff, bones, and other structures at angles that they might not see as well with open surgery. 

During shoulder arthroscopy, your surgeon makes a series of small incisions in the skin of your shoulder. They direct the arthroscope through one of them, and the camera projects a video feed on a nearby screen.

Your surgeon watches on the screen as they manipulate small instruments through the other incisions to make repairs inside the joint. 

What can arthroscopic shoulder surgery do?

One reason for getting shoulder arthroscopy is for a more in-depth diagnostic assessment. Sometimes, shoulder arthroscopy is necessary if the team at Los Angeles Orthopaedic Center cannot make a complete assessment of the damage within the shoulder using an X-ray or other imaging test. 

The team also uses arthroscopic shoulder surgery to make repairs and treat damage within the shoulder. Some of the most common reasons for getting arthroscopic shoulder surgery are:

• Repairing the rotator cuff
• Removing loose or damaged cartilage
• Repairing a recurrent dislocation
• Repairing torn ligaments
• Excising a cyst
• Releasing a nerve

Some surgeries still require an open surgery technique, like total shoulder replacement. The team tells you if arthroscopic shoulder surgery is appropriate for your treatment and how you can prepare accordingly.

What are the benefits of arthroscopic shoulder surgery?

Arthroscopic shoulder surgery gives you a high probability of making a full recovery from many of the most common injuries causing shoulder pain. If you use it for more than just a diagnosis, it’s a great alternative to open shoulder surgery due to these advantages:

• Faster recovery time
• Minimal scarring
• Less postoperative pain
• Few risks for complications
• A faster return to sports or work

You should keep in mind that arthroscopic shoulder surgery is not the preferred surgical approach for everyone, and the team at Los Angeles Orthopaedic Center plans your full treatment regimen according to your individual needs. Then, they work with you as you prepare and recover from surgery using physical therapy and other treatments. 

A painful or stiff shoulder may require surgical repair if it doesn’t improve with noninvasive treatments. Schedule a consultation over the phone or online at Los Angeles Orthopaedic Center to find out more about arthroscopic shoulder surgery today.