Shoulder Arthroscopy

What is a Shoulder Arthroscopy?

A Shoulder Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical (MIS) procedure used to investigate, diagnose and treat a shoulder disorder that fails to respond to physiotherapy, medication or other non-surgical treatments.

An Arthroscopy is commonly known as 'keyhole surgery". This procedure provides a surgeon with a quick, easy and clear view of the inside of the shoulder through a pencil slim, high-resolution camera known as an Arthroscope.

There are two types of Shoulder Arthroscopy:

i) Diagnostic Arthroscopy (investigation to find out what is wrong with a shoulder joint)
ii) Therapeutic Arthroscopy (correction of an injury or fault within the shoulder joint).

It is most common for these procedures to be provided at the same time.

Why is a Shoulder Arthroscopy performed?

Shoulder Arthroscopy is usually performed in order to investigate and relieve persistent pain, swelling, clicking, catching, dislocation and instability of a shoulder joint caused by either age related wear and tear, arthritis or trauma. 

The majority of Arthroscopies are performed on patients between the age range of 20 and 60 years, although much younger and older patients can also benefit from this procedure. 

How is a Shoulder Arthroscopy carried out?

A Shoulder Arthroscopy can be performed under General Anaesthetic (you will be asleep) or Regional Anaesthetic (you will be awake). The procedure usually takes only a short amount of time to perform if the injury to the shoulder is of a minor nature (approximately 30 minutes), although repair of a more complex nature can take much longer. Most Arthroscopy procedures are provided on a Day-Case basis.

During the procedure two small incisions (cuts) just a few millimetres in length are made either side of the problematic shoulder. These two incisions allow a narrow tube with a camera within it to be inserted into one and a slim tube that will regularly inject fluid and rinse the inside of the shoulder into the other. The injected fluid will allow the surgeon to get a good view of the problem area via the camera lens as he moves it around the inside of the shoulder.

Once the problem is properly identified, another small incision can then be made elsewhere on the shoulder surface (sometimes two incisions are made) in order to insert exceptionally fine instruments into the problematic joint space. With the aid of clear vision via the camera, the surgeon can then guide his fine instruments and gently correct the problem without any need to fully open up the shoulder.

Common corrective procedures performed during an Arthroscopy are:

• Drainage of inflamed joint fluid
• Removal of torn or loose fragments of cartilage
• Removal of loose fragments of bone or irregularities caused by arthritis
• Reconstruction or repair of a fibrosed capsule, torn cartilage or a torn ligament 

At the end of the procedure the small wounds on the shoulder are usually closed with a single stitch and a simple sticky dressing.

What is recovery like?

Once a patient is fully recovered from the effects of anaesthetic they are normally quickly encouraged to be as active and mobile as possible to avoid complications such as joint stiffness and Deep Vein Thrombosis from developing. It is therefore normal for patients to be encouraged to undertake upper limb physiotherapy exercises and walk a gentle distance just a few hours after surgery.

Following a progressive improvement of mobility and pain control, patients are normally discharged home 4-6 hours after their surgery. By the time the required level of recovery is achieved for discharge, patients are normally wearing only a simple sling and wound dressing over their incisions, eating and drinking normally and taking only mild analgesia (pain killers) to control any pain.

Over the next 6 weeks patients will be expected to work on improving their own mobility and range of joint movement through dedicated and progressive physiotherapy and by increasing their daily activity levels. Your Consultant Surgeon will then assess your condition and joints range of movement after 1 week and then again after three months to evaluate how successful the Arthroscopy has been. Patients who are in employment should not resume work until after their first consultation and dependant on the physical nature of their job may be advised to take longer off work.

Patients should expect a continuous and full physical recovery to take up to 6 months to achieve.

Are there any risks associated with Shoulder Arthroscopy Surgery?

Although Shoulder Arthroscopy surgery is very regularly performed without any complications occurring, it is very important that all candidates are fully aware of both the benefits and risks of undertaking such specialist surgery.

All surgery, no mater how expertly or carefully it is performed, carries risks and the importance of a full evaluation and consultation to discuss your condition with an expert in Shoulder Arthroscopy procedures in relation to these risks cannot be over emphasised.

How do I find out if I am a suitable candidate for Shoulder Arthroscopy surgery?

Surgical Advisor will be delighted to help you find a leading expert in Shoulder Arthroscopy surgery to consult with. Your surgeon will carry out a thorough evaluation of your condition and provide you with a comprehensive explanation of the most appropriate surgical solution.
 
Our Expert Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons are most carefully selected and recommended because they understand the importance of the decision you are making when contemplating complex shoulder surgery and because of their specialist upper limb surgical expertise. Throughout your consultation you will therefore be encouraged to ask as many questions as you wish and to take your time in making a decision to proceed with any recommended treatment.

To ensure that all patients are comfortable with any recommendations or advice given in their consultation, all patients are asked to go away after a consultation and think through all the information they have received. If for whatever reason you are still not sure about the best course of action and wish to have further dialogue with your surgeon, you will not be expected to pay for a second consultation appointment.

How do I make a consultation appointment?

For further advice on how to make an appointment to consult with an expert upper limb orthopaedic surgeon: 

Please call Surgical Advisor on: 0870 41 41 41 2
Or email us by clicking on: advice@surgicaladvisor.com