About Shoulder Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy allows the orthopaedic surgeon to insert a pencil-thin device with a small lens and lighting system into tiny incisions to look inside the joint. The images inside the joint are relayed to a TV monitor, allowing the doctor to make a diagnosis. Other surgical instruments can be inserted to make repairs, based on what is with the arthroscope. Arthroscopy often can be done on an outpatient basis.

Impingement and Partial Rotator Cuff Tears Partial thickness rotator cuff tears can be associated with chronic inflammation and the development of spurs on the underside of the acromion or the AC joint. The conservative nonoperative treatment is modification of activity, light exercise and occasionally, a cortisone injection. Nonoperative treatment is successful in a majority of cases, but if it is not successful, surgery often is needed to remove the spurs on the underside of the acromion and to repair the rotator cuff.

Full Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears are most often the result of impingement, partial thickness rotator cuff tears, heavy lifting or falls. Nonoperative treatment with modification of activity is successful in a majority of cases. If you continue to have pain, surgery may be needed. Surgery may be necessary to repair full thickness rotator cuff tears. Arthroscopic techniques allow shaving of spurs, evaluation of the rotator cuff and repair of some tears. Both techniques require extensive rehabilitation to restore the function of the shoulder.

Instability occurs when the head of the upper arm bone is forced out of the shoulder socket. This can happen as a result of sudden injury or from overuse of the shoulder ligaments. The two basic forms of shoulder instability are subluxations and dislocations. A subluxation is a partial or incomplete dislocation. If your shoulder is partially out of the shoulder socket, it eventually may dislocate. Even a minor injury may push the arm bone out of its socket. A dislocation is when the head of the arm bone slips out of the shoulder socket. Some patients have chronic instability, shoulder dislocations occur repeatedly.

Patients with repeat dislocation usually require surgery. Open surgical repair may require a short stay in the hospital. Arthroscopic surgical repair is often done on an outpatient basis. Following either procedure, extensive rehabilitation, often including physical therapy, is necessary for healing.