Have you suffered a torn rotator cuff? Have you had repeated shoulder dislocations?  Have you had a shoulder injury that has not improved with pain medication and physical therapy? If so, then shoulder arthroscopy may be the right procedure for you. This surgical procedure involves using a small camera called an arthroscope and miniature shoulder instruments to diagnose and treat problems in the shoulder joint. Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is performed to diagnose and treat a number of diseases and injuries. The goals of arthroscopic shoulder surgery are to provide pain relief, improve range of motion, and to treat shoulder instability. Ideal candidates for shoulder arthroscopy include athletes, manual laborers, or any other individuals who have suffered a shoulder injury. Many shoulder injuries are treated with pain medication, physical therapy, and activity modification. However, if these modalities fail to provide pain relief or improve function, then surgical treatment would be the next step. It is important to note that only a qualified orthopedic surgeon can determine if shoulder arthroscopy is the right procedure for your individual needs.

The shoulder joint anatomy

The shoulder joint is a complex joint stabilized by multiple bones, tendons and ligaments. It is a very mobile joint that allows a large range of motion because it is a ball and socket joint. However, it requires multiple structures to work together and keep the joint stable. The complexity of the joint puts itself at risk for numerous shoulder problems.

The bones that make up the shoulder joint are the humerus (upper arm bone), scapula (shoulder blade) and clavicle (collar bone). The head of the humerus fits into the socket of the glenoid, which is a portion of the scapula. There is a lip of cartilage called the labrum that surrounds the glenoid and helps keep the head of the humerus in place. Another portion of the shoulder blade that has an important role is the acromion. The acromion hooks around the top of the shoulder and connects with the clavicle, forming the acromioclavicular joint.

There are several large and easily visible shoulder muscles that are responsible for moving the shoulder joint, such as the biceps and deltoid muscles. However, the most important muscles for the stability of the joint are the rotator cuff muscles. They enable the biceps and deltoid muscles to do the heavy lifting. The rotator cuff is comprised for four muscles: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. The rotator cuff tendons keep the head of the humerus stable throughout the shoulder’s range of motion.

Bursae are small sacs of fluid that help lubricate the numerous moving structures in the shoulder. With repetitive motion or due to an injury, the bursae can become inflamed and this inflamed tissue causes shoulder pain.

An injury to any structure in the shoulder can have a profound effect on function. The level of disability and treatment are dependent on which specific structures are injured and the severity of the injury. Shoulder pain can also limit range of motion and lead to frozen shoulder, where inflamed tissue causes severe shoulder stiffness.

Shoulder surgery can be performed in two ways:

Open surgery: making one large incision to look at the injured structures directly. Open surgery is more commonly performed for more complex surgeries such as shoulder replacements or shoulder fractures.

Open surgery: making one large incision to look at the injured structures directly. Open surgery is more commonly performed for more complex surgeries such as shoulder replacements or shoulder fractures.

A common procedure performed for shoulder injuries is shoulder arthroscopy. It is performed when nonsurgical options are either unsuccessful or provide insufficient pain relief. If you are experiencing persistent pain or instability despite physical therapy, rest, and anti-inflammatory medications, a surgery may be indicated for you.

Most shoulder arthroscopies are performed under general anesthesia, meaning you will be asleep. Your anesthetist may perform a nerve block to help alleviate pain during the surgery and for a short period afterwards.

The patient is usually positioned in an upright position, as if sitting in a beach chair or lying on their side, in the lateral decubitus position. Shoulder arthroscopy involves creating several small incisions around the shoulder. Sterile water is injected into the joint to expand the structures. A camera is inserted into the shoulder and specialized instruments are used to examine and repair structures. Depending on what repairs need to be performed, the surgery lasts between 30 minutes and 2 hours. Shoulder arthroscopy is a day surgery, meaning you will be able to go home shortly after the procedure is completed.

Torn rotator cuff tendons

Shoulder instability or recurrent dislocations

 Frozen shoulder

A diagnostic shoulder arthroscopy can also be performed if the cause of pain is unclear despite thorough non-invasive investigation.

Osteoarthritis – This is wear and tear arthritis. It may require an open surgery to perform a total shoulder replacement.

 Fractures – Not all shoulder fractures require surgery, but if surgery is indicated, it must be done as an open procedure. Shoulder fractures can be treated either with plates and screws, or with a partial shoulder replacement.

Pain is a normal part of the recovery process. Your surgeon will prescribe you medications to relieve pain. Usually, over-the-counter pain medications and short-term narcotics are sufficient.

You may be given a sling of shoulder immobilize for comfort and to protect the repairs that were done.

Recovery time varies depending on what repairs are done during shoulder arthroscopy. After a simple diagnostic shoulder arthroscopy, you can return to physical activity and driving after a couple of weeks. You may resume light duties at work after about one week.

 For more complicated procedures, return to physical activity could take 3-6 months

It is important that you follow the recommendations of your orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist. You will be provided with a program to regain your shoulder strength and range of motion.

Shoulder arthroscopy is a safe and commonly performed procedure. In rare occasions, complications may occur. These include:

Infection

Infection

Blood vessel injury

Blood vessel injury

If you notice any fever, redness at the surgical site, increased swelling of the arm, or pain that gets worse over time, then you should consult a physician.

Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is usually a day surgery, meaning you will go home the same day of the procedure. There are also few risks, and the surgery does not take long to perform. However, it is still a complex surgery that requires knowledge and technical skill from your orthopedic surgeon and operating team.

Shoulder dislocations occur usually due to trauma and involve the head of the humerus disengaging from the glenoid. This can cause damage to the labrum and even the bone of the glenoid, which leads to an increased risk of recurrent dislocations. The injured portion of the glenoid, whether it is the labrum or the bone that is damaged, is called a Bankart lesion. And fittingly, it is treated using the Bankart procedure.

Shoulder dislocations occur usually due to trauma and involve the head of the humerus disengaging from the glenoid. This can cause damage to the labrum and even the bone of the glenoid, which leads to an increased risk of recurrent dislocations. The injured portion of the glenoid, whether it is the labrum or the bone that is damaged, is called a Bankart lesion. And fittingly, it is treated using the Bankart procedure.

Rotator cuff tears can be the result of injury, overuse, or aging. Acute injuries are often amenable to repair as the muscle and tendon are still robust enough for sutures to hold them into place. In the case of chronic injuries, your surgeon will discuss with you whether a surgery is likely to help with pain and function. If a surgery is indicated, then a good outcome is likely.

Rotator cuff repairs are performed through shoulder arthroscopy. After a camera and specialized instruments are inserted, the shoulder is examined for other injuries that require treatment. After the rotator cuff tear is identified, small plugs with suture tails are inserted into humerus, around the humeral head. The suture tails are then woven through the torn tendon and are tightened to bring the tendon into contact with the bony surface of the humeral head.

Anatomy    

The biceps is a muscle with two portions that originate in the shoulder. The short head attaches to the coracoid process (a finger-like projection on the scapula). The long head, which travels over the head of the humerus and attaches to the top of the glenoid. The longer biceps tendon travels over the shoulder and is at risk of being pinched by the acromion (the portion of the scapula that wraps around the top of the shoulder). With repetitive overhead movement, the pinched biceps tendon of the long head becomes frayed and inflamed. This leads to pain and loss of function.

Biceps tenodesis surgery is a two-step procedure to cut the tendon of the long head of the biceps and reattach it onto the humerus.

First, the surgeon performs a shoulder arthroscopy to confirm the diagnosis and to examine for any other injuries that require treatment. The tendon of the long head of the biceps is identified and cut.

The next step is to create a separate incision near the top of the humerus. The cut portion of the tendon is pulled out from this incision. The cut portion is reattached to the humerus with a button or a screw.

The acromion is a portion of the scapula (shoulder blade) that wraps around the top of the shoulder and attaches to the clavicle (collar bone). With repetitive or forceful overhead movements, the tendons in the shoulder can become pinched between the humerus and the acromion.

 An acromioplasty is a procedure where the under surface of the acromion is shaved to prevent impingement on the tendons. It is performed through shoulder arthroscopy. After a camera and specialized instruments are inserted into the shoulder, the surgeon will look for other injuries that require treatment. Once the acromion is identified, a special instrument is used to shave off a thin portion under the acromion.