Shoulder Arthroscopy

Shoulder arthroscopy is minimally invasive surgery on your shoulder joint. Surgeons use arthroscopy to access your joints with tiny cameras and tools through small incisions. It allows them to diagnose and treat many joint conditions while causing you minimal pain and recovery time. If you have unexplained shoulder pain or an injury that needs repair, your provider might suggest arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Shoulder arthroscopy is an option to treat almost any shoulder condition, unless it’s an emergency or a whole shoulder replacement surgery. For example, you might have arthroscopic shoulder surgery to treat:

• Biceps tendon conditions, like a tear or chronic tendonitis
• Cartilage tears, like a SLAP tear or Bankart lesion
• Complicated broken shoulders, like comminuted fractures
• Rotator cuff conditions, like severe tears or tendonitis
• Severe shoulder separation or sprains
• Shoulder arthritis

Surgery isn’t the first treatment for most shoulder conditions. But it may be the next option when other treatments don’t work. If you do need shoulder surgery, arthroscopy can make the experience easier.

What happens during arthroscopic shoulder surgery?

Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is usually an outpatient procedure. Unless you have special health risks, you’ll probably go home shortly afterward. Most procedures take between one and two hours.

A healthcare provider will discuss your anesthesia options in advance. You’ll likely have a regional nerve block to numb your shoulder and arm. You may also have sedation or general anesthesia with it.

Here’s what happens during shoulder arthroscopy:

1. Your surgical team will place you either in a reclining position or on your side. They’ll shave the hair on your shoulder if needed and clean your skin with an antiseptic solution.
2. A healthcare provider will inject fluid into your shoulder joint. The fluid inflates your shoulder and helps separate the tissues so that your surgeon can see them better.
3. Your surgeon will start by making a small cut, about an inch long, in your shoulder. They’ll insert a tiny camera (arthroscope) through this incision.
4. The camera will project images of your shoulder onto a video screen. Your surgeon will refer to this screen to find and fix what’s bothering your shoulder.
5. Your surgeon will make additional small cuts as needed to access parts of your shoulder. They’ll insert long, narrow instruments through the small holes to operate.
6. After operating, your surgeon will finish by closing and bandaging your incisions. Then, you’ll move to a recovery room to wake up from the anesthesia.

You may spend an hour or two in the recovery room after your operation. Your healthcare team will monitor your recovery and discuss home care. They’ll set your arm in a sling before you go home.

What are the potential risks of shoulder arthroscopy?

Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is generally very safe. But with any procedure, there’s a small risk of:

• Blood clots
• Excessive bleeding
• Infection
• Blood vessel or nerve damage

What are the benefits of shoulder arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy makes the recovery from surgery a little easier because you won’t have a large wound to heal. The smaller incisions heal faster and tend to cause less pain and fewer complications in the process. This also allows you to start your physical rehabilitation sooner. Starting to move your shoulder sooner means it won’t be as stiff in the beginning, and there’s less risk of contracture.

What happens after shoulder surgery?

After your operation, a healthcare provider will explain how to take care of yourself at home, including:

• Incision and wound care
• Pain management after surgery
• How to use your sling
• How to shower or bathe
• How to sleep comfortably
• When it’s safe to start driving again
• When you can return to work or chores
• When to come back for a check-in

After your wounds have healed, a physical therapist will show you how to start gradually exercising your shoulder to regain flexibility and strength. Physical therapy will be an essential part of your recovery.

How long is the recovery from shoulder surgery?

Recovery from shoulder surgery has several stages. The first stage is when your incisions are healing. With arthroscopy, this stage takes one to two weeks. But recovering the full use of your shoulder can take much longer. After the first phase of recovery, you’ll begin your physical rehabilitation. A physical therapist will guide this stage of your recovery, which may take three to six months or longer.

While arthroscopy makes recovery quicker overall, there’s still a wide range of recovery times between different types of shoulder procedures. A minor procedure heals more quickly than a more extensive one. Your overall health and how well you keep up with your physical rehabilitation will also make a difference. Your healthcare provider can tell you more about what to expect in terms of recovery time.

What can I do to take care of myself while recovering?

During your recovery, healthcare providers advise that you:

• Get plenty of rest: You’ll feel tired, especially in the first few days after your operation. You can prop up your arm on a pillow while you’re reclining to make it more comfortable.
• Walk a little each day: A little movement will help keep your blood flowing through your body. Blood flow helps boost healing and prevent complications, like blood clots.
• Avoid lifting anything heavywith your recovering arm: Avoid activities that put stress on your shoulder until your healthcare provider gives you the OK.
• Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated helps prevent constipation, which can be a side effect of pain medications. If you do get constipated, try these home remedies.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Call your provider right away if you develop:

• A fever
• Abnormal discharge from your wounds
• Numbness or tingling
• Severe bleeding or swelling
• Pain that doesn’t get better after taking your medications