Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat various shoulder conditions. It involves making small incisions around the shoulder joint and using a camera (arthroscope) to visualize and treat the problem.
Shoulder arthroscopy can treat a range of conditions, including:
- Rotator cuff tears
- Labral tears (such as SLAP tears)
- Shoulder impingement syndrome
- Arthritis
- Shoulder instability
- Bursitis or tendinitis
- Bone spurs or cartilage damage
Arthroscopy allows us to view the shoulder structures in fine detail from the inside, using a camera with a rotating point of view. The smaller incisions make the procedure more targeted and less invasive, which typically leads to a faster recovery.
Shoulder arthroscopy is typically performed on an outpatient basis, so most patients can go home the same day.
After surgery, your shoulder is filled with water to create space for the procedure. Some of this water may leak out over the next couple of days. We place a large absorbent dressing over your shoulder to soak up this water, which may contain a bit of diluted blood.
- 2 days after surgery: Remove the bulky dressing and throw it away.
- Showering: After removing the dressing, you can shower. Pat your skin dry and apply band-aids to the incision areas.
- Armpit care: Keep your armpit clean and dry.
- Incision care: Avoid submerging your incisions for 6 weeks after surgery.
After surgery, it’s essential to balance protecting healing structures while preserving range of motion.
- If you had a structure repaired (such as the labrum, biceps tendon, or rotator cuff), you may have limited activity initially.
- General advice: Ensure you move your fingers, wrists, and get your elbow all the way straight several times a day.
- You will have a specific post-op protocol that will help you maintain the balance of protecting your repaired structures while preserving motion and function.
Pain management typically includes:
- Nerve block: This will help manage pain for 12-24 hours after surgery.
- Post-block pain management: Use ice and scheduled medication to manage pain and inflammation as the block wears off.
- Pain medication schedule: Set a timer every 6 hours to take your prescribed pain medication for the first 24-48 hours, in combination with ice therapy to help stay comfortable.
Yes, physical therapy is often necessary to restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion in the shoulder. Therapy typically begins soon after surgery and continues for several months.
Here are some tips for common activities:
- Getting Dressed:
- For button-up shirts, wear the non-operative arm through the sleeve first, then drape the shirt over your surgical arm.
- For T-shirts, slide the sleeve onto your surgical arm first, then pull the shirt over your head or behind your back, and finally, put your non-surgical arm through the other sleeve.
- Food:
- It may be helpful to prepare and freeze some meals before surgery.
- Hygiene:
- Some patients find installing a bidet helpful for hygiene during recovery.