Shoulder Arthroscopy: A Less Invasive Shoulder Pain Relief

Shoulder pain can be debilitating and affect your everyday life, even with small tasks like reaching for a shelf. Whether the injury is a rotator cuff tear, arthritis, or sports-related, your daily life can be severely impacted. There are several options for shoulder pain relief, like pain management or surgery. A less invasive option that has recently become popular is shoulder arthroscopy. 

What is Shoulder Arthroscopy?

Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows proper diagnosis and treatment of shoulder pain. The physician makes a small incision and uses an arthroscope to view the shoulder joint. The arthroscope is a thin tube with a camera that provides images of the joint space and surrounding anatomy, like the bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. This allows a detailed view of the shoulder to be seen to help create a diagnosis and treatment plan. 

Shoulder arthroscopy uses tiny incisions, about half an inch big, making it a minimally invasive procedure compared to surgery and allowing for a less painful and shorter recovery time. 

Benefits of Shoulder Arthroscopy

Patients prefer shoulder arthroscopy compared to other procedures because of the benefits it entails. Here are some key advantages to this procedure: 

• Minimally Invasive: The biggest advantage of shoulder arthroscopy is the minimally invasive approach. Instead of large incisions that can lead to further complications, smaller ones are made. This alone reduces the trauma to the shoulder, recovery times, and risks involved. 
• Recovery: Because of the less invasive approach, the recovery time is significantly shorter than traditional surgery. Most patients are able to go home the same day as the procedure and return to normal activities within a few weeks. 
• Less Risks: The risks involved with shoulder arthroscopy are minimal. There is a reduced likelihood of infection, less bleeding, and smaller scars. 
• Improved Pain Management: Most patients experience less post-operative pain after the procedure. This leads to a more comfortable recovery time and a reduction in chronic pain.

Common Conditions Treated with Shoulder Arthroscopy

Shoulder arthroscopy is used to treat a wide range of shoulder conditions like rotator cuff tears, labral tears, impingement syndrome, and more. 

• Rotator Cuff Tears: The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that work to stabilize the shoulder. Rotator cuff tears are extremely common and lead to shoulder pain and reduced mobility. Shoulder arthroscopy can be used to repair tendons and remove damaged tissue to restore the shoulder’s function and alleviate pain. 
• Labral Tears: The labrum is a ring of cartilage that surrounds the shoulder socket and provides stability to the joint. Labral tears can lead to pain and instability. Shoulder arthroscopy is used for labral tears like SLAP lesions (superior labrum anterior-posterior) and Bankart lesions, which are common in athletes. 
• Impingement Syndrome: Impingement happens when the tendons of the rotator cuff become compressed or irritated when they pass through the acromion (shoulder bone). This leads to pain, swelling, and reduced range of motion. Arthroscopy allows the surgeon to remove damaged tissue or shave down the bone to help alleviate the pressure and pain associated with impingement syndrome. 
• Shoulder Instability: Shoulder instability occurs when the ball of the shoulder joint slips in and out of the socket. This can lead to pain and frequent “popping” of the shoulder. Shoulder arthroscopy is used to repair or tighten the ligaments to stabilize the shoulder joint and restore function. 
• Arthritis: Osteoarthritis or other degenerative joint diseases cause pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility in the shoulder. Shoulder arthroscopy can not cure arthritis, but it can remove damaged cartilage, clean out the joint, and smooth rough surfaces to reduce pain and improve the function of the joint. 
• Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis): Frozen shoulder is a condition that leads to stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. Shoulder arthroscopy is used as the next step after trying conservative treatments. The arthroscopy procedure allows the removal of scar tissue and the release of tight capsules around the shoulder joint, improving movement and discomfort.

The Process of Shoulder Arthroscopy 

1. Prep and Anesthesia: Before your surgery can start, your surgeon will discuss anesthesia options and the preparation needed. In most cases, arthroscopy is performed under general anesthesia, meaning you will be asleep during the procedure. Regional anesthesia is also used to numb the shoulder area. 
2. Incisions and Insertion: After anesthesia is given, the surgeon will make small incisions that allow the arthroscope to access the shoulder joint. The surgeon will then insert the arthroscope, which will provide high-quality images to help visualize the inside of the shoulder joint. 
3. Diagnosing Stage: Once the arthroscope is inserted, the surgeon can examine the shoulder joint for signs of damage, such as tears, inflammation, or instability. This will lead to the surgeon’s creation of a diagnosis. 
4. Treatment Stage: Once the problem is identified, the surgeon performs treatment through the other small incisions. Specialized instruments will be used depending on the condition: 

• Rotator Cuff Tear: Reattaching the tendons to the bones will be done using sutures or anchors. 
• Labral Tears: Repaired by stitching torn tissue or attaching it to the bone.
• Bone Spurs/Impingement: The bone will be shaved down to relieve pressure on the tendons. 

Typically speaking, shoulder arthroscopy is performed as an outpatient procedure lasting between 30 minutes and 2 hours, depending on the treated condition. Once the procedure is completed, you will be in the postoperative care stage:

5. Postoperative Care: After the procedure, you will move to a recovery room for the anesthesia to wear off. Many patients experience mild discomfort or soreness that can be managed with pain medications if needed. Since arthroscopy is done in an outpatient setting, you will be able to go home the day of the procedure. 

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JOI physicians continue to offer new patient appointments online for an easier and more convenient option. Schedule an appointment today to discuss your shoulder pain and treatment options available to you!