Shoulder arthroscopy is a surgical technique that can help diagnose and treat problems in your shoulder joint, repairing them during the same procedure.
During a shoulder arthroscopy, your orthopedic specialist will make a small incision and insert a tiny camera — called an arthroscope — into your shoulder joint. The camera displays pictures on a video monitor, and your specialist uses these detailed images to guide miniature surgical instruments, detect the damage, and repair it.
Because the incisions are small compared with the larger incision needed for open surgery, shoulder arthroscopy typically results in less pain for patients, less joint stiffness, and often a shorter recovery time.
Your specialist may recommend shoulder arthroscopy if you have a painful condition that does not respond to nonsurgical treatment. Nonsurgical treatment includes rest, physical therapy, and medications or injections that reduce inflammation. In an injured or diseased shoulder joint, inflammation often results in swelling, pain, and stiffness.
Injury, overuse, and age-related wear and tear are responsible for most shoulder problems. Shoulder arthroscopy may relieve painful symptoms of problems that stem from damage of the rotator cuff tendons, labrum, articular cartilage, and other soft tissues surrounding the shoulder joint.
Shoulder arthroscopy has been performed for decades with great success. It has made diagnosis, treatment and recovery from surgery easier and faster than was once thought possible. Improvements to shoulder arthroscopy occur every year as new instruments and techniques are developed.
Signature Medical Group’s practitioners are board-certified orthopedic surgeons whose expertise, experience, and leadership in their profession translate into exceptional medical care and treatment for you.
If you are in St. Louis or Kansas City and would like to be evaluated for a shoulder arthroscopy, contact the expert and experienced orthopedic specialists of Signature Medical Group.