Shoulder Arthroscopic Surgery
Arthroscopy is a procedure that orthopedic surgeons use to inspect, diagnose, and repair problems inside a joint. During a shoulder arthroscopy, a small video camera attached to a fiber-optic lens is inserted into the shoulder joint, allowing a surgeon to see without making a large incision. Typically, the surgeon will only need to make 2 to 3 small incisions (called portals) as part of this surgery.
Types of Shoulder Conditions Treated with Arthroscopic Surgery
The SROSM team of orthopedic surgeons will explore possible non-surgical shoulder pain treatment options before recommending surgery. When your orthopedic specialist turns to shoulder arthroscopy, it is their best recommendation for relieving symptoms or repairing a problem. Common arthroscopic procedures for the shoulder include:
- Rotator cuff repair
- Removal or repair of a torn labrum
- Shoulder dislocation and instability
- Bone spur removal
- Frozen shoulder
- Shoulder fractures
- Washing out debris from an infected shoulder
- Dislocation of acromioclavicular (AC) joint
- Reconstruction of an arthritic acromioclavicular (AC) joint
The orthopedic surgeon's goal is to fix or improve your condition by performing a suitable surgical procedure. The arthroscope is a tool that improves the surgeons ability to perform that procedure in a way that results in less tissue damage to normal tissue and shorter recovery time.
It’s important to understand that not all patients will have the same results. The results that you can expect from a shoulder arthroscopy depend on what is wrong with your shoulder, what can be done inside your shoulder to improve the problem and your effort at rehabilitation after the surgery.
Physical therapy is an important part of the recovery process. After your shoulder arthroscopy procedure, our orthopedic specialists and physical therapy team will work together to create a rehabilitation plan that is designed specifically for you to gain back your strength and range of motion, as much as possible.
Our orthopedic surgeons are experts in arthroscopy and will talk with you about your treatment options. You can also learn more about shoulder arthroscopy by downloading our educational document A Patient’s Guide to Shoulder Arthroscopy.
To speak with an SROSM shoulder specialist, make an appointment at the location closest to you in Spring, Woodforest, or The Woodlands, TX.