Shoulder Arthroscopy
Precision in Every Movement.
Restoring Shoulder Function.
Advanced shoulder arthroscopy techniques focused on precise treatment, joint preservation and helping patients return to an active lifestyle.
What Is Shoulder Arthroscopy?
Shoulder arthroscopy is a procedure used to examine and treat the inside of the shoulder joint using an optical instrument called an arthroscope, which is approximately 4 mm in diameter. The procedure is performed under general or regional anesthesia.
Small portals are created at the front and back of the shoulder, through which similarly small surgical instruments are inserted to perform the necessary procedure. The arthroscope is a tube capable of introducing physiological fluid into the shoulder joint and providing illumination, while transmitting images from inside the joint to a monitor. The tube is approximately the thickness of a pencil.
Shoulder arthroscopy is used to diagnose the causes of symptoms such as shoulder pain, swelling, and loss of function and, when necessary, to treat the underlying condition.
Which Conditions Can Be Treated with Shoulder Arthroscopy?
Shoulder arthroscopy has become increasingly popular in recent years. The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, and increasing levels of sports activity have contributed to a rise in shoulder-related disorders.
Shoulder arthroscopy may be used in the treatment of:
- Shoulder impingement
- Tendinitis
- Rotator cuff tears
- SLAP lesions (labral tears)
- Removal of foreign bodies from the shoulder joint
- Bankart lesions following recurrent shoulder dislocation
What Is Shoulder Impingement Syndrome?
Shoulder impingement syndrome can develop when one or more problems occur within the shoulder joint.
The shoulder consists of three bones: the scapula (shoulder blade), humerus (upper arm bone), and clavicle (collarbone). The rotator cuff is a structure made up of muscles and tendons that connect the upper arm bone to the shoulder blade.
The four tendons that form the rotator cuff help move the arm by pulling on the bones. The rotator cuff plays an important role in lifting and rotating the arm.
The rotator cuff passes through a space approximately 1–1.5 cm wide between the acromion, a projection of the scapula, and the humeral head. A sac-like structure called the bursa lies between the acromion and the rotator cuff. This structure contains lubricating fluid that reduces friction between the bones and muscles.
An anatomically excessively curved acromion can cause the tendons to become compressed when the arm is raised. Impingement can also occur when the rotator cuff tendons repeatedly rub against the acromion.
Osteoarthritis of the acromioclavicular joint, located between the clavicle and scapula, can narrow the space through which the tendons pass. When the arm is raised, the humerus is forced toward the edge of the acromion.
With excessive use, this can cause irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the bursa, a condition known as bursitis. Tendinitis refers to inflammation of the tendon. Both conditions can cause shoulder pain and restricted movement and, over time, may contribute to a rotator cuff tear.
What Are the Treatment Options for Shoulder Impingement?
Early-stage shoulder impingement syndrome may respond to conservative treatments such as gentle exercises, pain-relieving medication, and subacromial corticosteroid injections.
Advanced impingement lesions that do not respond to conservative treatment — including at least four months of physical therapy and up to three steroid injections — may be candidates for shoulder arthroscopy.
What Treatments Can Be Performed Using Shoulder Arthroscopy?
For shoulder impingement syndrome, arthroscopic subacromial decompression techniques may be used.
Rotator cuff tears surrounding the shoulder can be repaired using suture anchors. Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears may be treated with debridement, while partial and small tears may also be repaired.
The literature has reported results from 50 arthroscopic shoulder procedures followed for 1–3 years, with 88% excellent results and 12% poor or unsatisfactory results.
What Should Be Done After Shoulder Arthroscopy?
Following surgery, you may be asked to use a shoulder-arm sling or a similar immobilization device. Depending on the procedure performed, exercises may begin on the first postoperative day.
Your activity level and return-to-normal-life timeline will vary depending on the type and extent of the procedure performed.
During the first week, active-assisted range-of-motion exercises for the rotator cuff and deltoid may be initiated.
During the second week, resistance exercises may be started and gradually increased through the third month.
Patients can return to daily activities as soon as their clinical findings allow. Compliance with postoperative physical therapy is one of the most important factors affecting the success of shoulder arthroscopy.
What Are the Risks and Potential Complications of Shoulder Arthroscopy?
Rare complications have been reported following shoulder arthroscopy. Similar complications can also occur at comparable rates with open surgery.
The most frequently reported complications include infection and fistula formation. These are generally small, self-limiting complications that have limited impact on functional outcomes.
Other complications that may occur after shoulder arthroscopy include:
- Bleeding around the joint
- Excessive swelling
- Shoulder stiffness
- Loss of range of motion
Follow my journey, cases and health tips on Instagram.
Stay updated for the latest treatments, patient stories and useful health tips.
