#1 Shoulder Arthroscopic Surgery Resource
Shoulder Arthroscopy surgery is a minimally-invasive procedure used for the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting joints. Originally, arthroscopy was used mainly for planning a standard open surgery. However, because of the development of new instruments and advanced surgical techniques, many conditions can also be treated using an arthroscope. In Cape Town shoulder specialist Dr. CL Steyn is one of the foremost orthopaedic surgeons specialising in shoulder injuries and repair.
What is an arthroscope?
An arthroscope is a small tube that is inserted into the body to look inside a joint. It contains a system of lenses, a small video camera, and a light for viewing.
The camera is connected to a monitoring system that let a surgeon view the operation while it is being done.
The arthroscope is often used with other tools that are inserted through another incision. These tools, unlike the arthroscope, are used for grasping, cutting, and probing.
What is arthroscopy?
Arthroscopy is a minimally-invasive procedure used for the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting joints. Originally, arthroscopy was used mainly for planning a standard open surgery.
However, because of the development of new instruments and advanced surgical techniques, many conditions can also be treated using an arthroscope.
The joint most frequently examined using arthroscopy is the knee. However, arthroscopy can be used to examine other joints, including the following:
- Shoulder
- Elbow
- Ankle
- Hip
- Wrist
Reasons for the procedure
- A torn or damaged cartilage ring (labrum) or ligaments
- Shoulder instability, in which the shoulder joint is loose and slides around too much or becomes dislocated (slips out of the ball and socket joint)
- torn or damaged biceps tendon
- A torn rotator cuff
- A bone spur or inflammation around the rotator cuff
- Inflammation or damaged lining of the joint, often caused by an illness, such as rheumatoid arthritis
- Arthritis of the end of the clavicle (collarbone)
- Loose tissue that needs to be removed
- Shoulder impingement syndrome, to make more room for the shoulder to move around
Arthroscopic surgery may eliminate the need for an open surgical procedure.
There may be other reasons for your doctor to recommend an arthroscopy.
Always see your doctor for a treatment recommendation based on your individual condition.
Risks of the procedure
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Blood clots in the legs or lungs
There may be other risks depending on your specific medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your doctor prior to the procedure.
Before the procedure
You will be asked to sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the procedure. Read the form carefully and ask questions if something is not clear.
In addition to a complete medical history, your doctor may perform a complete physical examination to ensure you are in good health before undergoing the procedure. You may undergo blood tests or other diagnostic tests.
Notify your doctor if you are sensitive to or are allergic to any medications, latex, tape, and anaesthetic agents (local and general).
Notify your doctor of all medications (prescribed and over-the-counter) and herbal supplements that you are taking.
Notify your doctor if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medications, aspirin, or other medications that affect blood clotting. It may be necessary for you to stop these medications prior to the procedure.
If you are pregnant or suspect that you are pregnant, you should notify your doctor.
You will be asked to fast for six hours before the procedure, generally after midnight.
You may receive a sedative prior to the procedure to help you relax. Because the sedative may make you drowsy, you will need to arrange for someone to drive you home.
Based on your medical condition, your doctor may request other specific preparation.
During the procedure
Arthroscopy may be performed while you are asleep under general anesthesia, or while you are awake under localized anesthesia. The type of anesthesia will depend upon the specific procedure being performed. Your anesthesiologist will discuss this with you in advance.
Generally, an arthroscopic procedure follows this process:
- You will be asked to remove clothing and will be given a gown to wear.
- An intravenous (IV) line may be started in your arm or hand.
- If there is excessive hair at the surgical site, it may be clipped off.
- You will be positioned on an operating table, in a manner that provides the best access to the joint being operated on.
- The anesthesiologist will continuously monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and blood oxygen level during the surgery.
- The skin over the surgical site will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution.
- The doctor may drain blood from the surgical area by elevating the extremity and/or applying an elastic wrap to the extremity. The doctor may instill a fluid solution (generally a saline solution) before the arthroscope is inserted to help distend the joint and reduce swelling.
- The doctor will make an incision in the joint area.
- The arthroscope will be inserted through the incision, into the joint.
Other incisions may be made to introduce other small grasping, probing, or cutting tools.
- Light is transmitted via fiber optics at the end of the arthroscope.
Information about the interior of the joint is transmitted to a screen.
- Corrective surgery, if necessary, may be performed.
- The incision will be closed with stitches or adhesive strips.
- A sterile bandage or dressing will be applied.
After the procedure
After surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room for observation. Your recovery process will vary depending on the type of anesthesia that is given. The circulation and sensation of the affected extremity will be monitored. Once your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing are stable and you are alert, you will be taken to your hospital room or discharged to your home. Arthroscopic surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis.
Once you are home, it is important to keep the incision site clean and dry. Your doctor will give you specific bathing instructions. If stitches are used, they will be removed during a follow-up office visit. If adhesive strips are used, they should be kept dry and generally will fall off within a few days.
Take a pain reliever for soreness as recommended by your doctor. Aspirin or certain other pain medications may increase the chance of bleeding. Be sure to take only recommended medications.
Activity and the use of the joint may be limited for 24 to 48 hours after a diagnostic arthroscopy. If other procedures are performed, such as a ligament repair, your activity and use of your joint may be limited for a longer period of time. Your doctor will give you specific instructions. For knee surgery, you may be given an immobilizer to wear. Your doctor may also instruct you to apply ice to the surgical site and to elevate the knee when sitting. Specific instructions will depend on the exact procedure performed.
Notify your doctor to report any of the following:
- Fever
- Redness, swelling, bleeding, or other drainage from the incision site
- Increased pain around the incision site
- Numbness and/or tingling in the affected extremity
You may resume your normal diet unless your doctor advises you differently. Your doctor may give you additional or alternate instructions after the procedure, depending on your particular situation.
Advantages of the procedure
Arthroscopic surgery is usually done as a day procedure. This means the procedure is completed within a day. This makes Arthroscopic surgery the economical choice for you and your Medical Aid. Dr Steyn does his day surgeries at the prestigious Advanced Health Day Hospital (Panorama Healthcare Centre)
Shoulder Arthroscopic Surgery FAQ
- Why is shoulder arthroscopic surgery necessary?
Shoulder arthroscopic surgery is necessary to diagnose and treat shoulder injuries. It can be used to evaluate the shoulder joint, make repairs, or remove loose body fragments. The shoulder joint is a ball-and-socket joint that connects the arm to the trunk of the body. The ball of the upper arm bone (humerus) fits into a hollowed out part of the scapula called a glenoid fossa. The muscles, tendons, and ligaments around this joint provide stability and help with movement. A common injury in this area is a dislocated shoulder that occurs when one or more of these supporting structures are stretched too far or torn from their attachment site on either bone.
- What are the benefits of shoulder arthroscopic surgery?
Shoulder arthroscopic surgery, also known as arthroscopic shoulder surgery, is a minimally invasive procedure that can be used to diagnose and treat a variety of problems in the shoulder joint. There are many benefits of this type of surgery. One is that it doesn’t require a large incision or hospitalization time, which means that you can get back to your normal life sooner. There is less pain and inflammation after the surgery and there is no need for general anesthesia. The recovery time for this type of procedure is short, so you will be able to do most things within weeks or months after the surgery.
- What are the risks of shoulder arthroscopic surgery?
Shoulder arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that aims to fix a problem in the shoulder joint. It can be done under local anesthesia and sedation, which makes it a great option for most people.
The risks of shoulder arthroscopic surgery include:
- Infection
- Nerve injury
- Joint stiffness
- Arthritis
- What kind of anesthesia is used for shoulder arthroscopic surgery?
Anesthesia is typically used for shoulder arthroscopic surgery. This type of anesthesia can be administered in different ways. It can be given through an injection, inhalation, or intravenously. Ketamine is a medication that has been used to provide anesthesia for shoulder arthroscopic surgery. It is given intravenously and it takes about 5 minutes to take effect. Ketamine can cause some side effects which include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and increased blood pressure. These side effects are usually temporary and go away when the anesthesia wears off.
- What are the most common types of shoulder surgery?
The most common types of shoulder surgery are:
- Rotator cuff repair
- Shoulder replacement
- AC Joint Arthroplasty
- Labral repair
- How long is the recovery period for shoulder arthroscopic surgery?
This is a common question among people who are considering this surgery. The recovery period for shoulder arthroscopic surgery varies from person to person. It depends on the severity of the injury and how much damage has been done to the joint. The recovery period can be anywhere from three months to a year, depending on the severity of the injury and how much damage has been done to the joint.
- How long does the shoulder arthroscopic surgery take?
The shoulder arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that is used to diagnose and treat a number of conditions. The surgery can last from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the condition being treated.
The shoulder arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that is used to diagnose and treat a number of conditions. The surgery can last from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the condition being treated.
Some factors that may affect the duration of the operation are:
- age (younger patients take less time)
- type of anesthesia (general anesthesia takes more time)
- severity of condition
- complexity of operation
- How long does it take to recover from shoulder surgery?
The recovery time after shoulder surgery can be anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months. The amount of time it takes a person to recover from shoulder surgery is dependent on the type of procedure that was done, the patient’s age and general health, and how well they follow their doctor’s instructions.
The most common type of procedure is arthroscopic surgery in which a small camera is inserted into the joint through a small incision. In this type of surgery, the joint space will be cleaned out and any loose bodies or bone spurs removed. In cases where there is significant wear on the joint surface, some cartilage may be trimmed off as well. The recovery time after arthroscopic surgery usually ranges from 3-6 weeks.
- What are the risks of shoulder surgery?
There are many risks associated with shoulder surgery. For example, the patient is at risk for blood clots, infection, and even death.
Infection is a risk because it is hard to clean the area after surgery. And a blood clot can happen if a person has an injury or if they’re overweight. This can also lead to death if not treated properly.
- What are the benefits of shoulder surgery??
There are many benefits to shoulder surgery. One of the most important is that it can help with pain reduction.
Shoulder surgery can also help improve range of motion, which in turn will help with activities of daily living.
Shoulder surgery also has the potential to improve the patient’s quality of life and decrease their dependency on pain medication.
- Is arthroscopic shoulder surgery a major surgery?
Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is considered a minimally invasive procedure compared to traditional open shoulder surgery. This means that it involves smaller incisions, less tissue damage, and a shorter recovery time. However, it is still a surgical procedure, and there are some risks associated with it.
Arthroscopic shoulder surgery offers several advantages over open shoulder surgery. However, it is important to note that it is not always the best option for all patients. Your doctor will be able to discuss the risks and benefits of both procedures with you and help you decide which option is right for you.
In general, arthroscopic shoulder surgery is a safe and effective procedure for treating a variety of shoulder conditions. However, it is important to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of the procedure before making a decision.
- Is shoulder arthroscopy the same as rotator cuff repair??
No, shoulder arthroscopy and rotator cuff repair are two different procedures that are sometimes used to treat shoulder pain.
Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows a surgeon to view the inside of the shoulder joint using a small camera called an arthroscope. The arthroscope is inserted into the joint through a small incision in the skin. The surgeon can then use small instruments to remove damaged tissue, such as scar tissue or bone spurs, and to perform other procedures, such as rotator cuff repair.
Rotator cuff repair is a procedure that is used to repair a torn rotator cuff tendon. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint and help to stabilize it. A torn rotator cuff can cause pain, weakness, and limitation of motion in the shoulder.
Rotator cuff repair can be performed arthroscopically, using a small camera and instruments inserted into the joint, or open, using a larger incision. Open rotator cuff repair is generally only used when the tear is large or complex, or if the arthroscopic repair is unsuccessful.
In some cases, shoulder arthroscopy and rotator cuff repair may be performed together. For example, a surgeon may use arthroscopy to view the extent of a tear and then perform rotator cuff repair through an open incision.
The specific procedure that is right for you will depend on the severity of your tear and your individual needs. Your doctor will discuss the options with you and help you decide on the best course of treatment.
