Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery: Minimizing Pain and Scarring

     Chronic shoulder pain, rotator cuff tears, or a frozen shoulder can significantly limit your quality of life. If initial treatments haven’t worked, Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery offers a targeted solution using modern medical technology. With smaller incisions and less tissue damage, patients experience a quicker recovery and return to their daily activities sooner, all under the expert care of our orthopedic shoulder specialists.

Shoulder pain may originate from various structures, including:

• The shoulder joint
• Soft tissues around the shoulder such as muscles, tendons, and the joint capsule
• Nearby areas where pain can radiate, such as the nerves or spinal cord from the cervical spine, neck muscles, and scapula

Causes of Shoulder Pain

• Degeneration of the body, such as muscle tendon tears in the shoulder
• Injuries from accidents or exercise, such as rotator cuff tears or shoulder dislocation
• Overuse, such as muscle inflammation
• Other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, calcification of the rotator cuff tendons, frozen shoulder due to infection, etc.

Symptoms of Shoulder Pain

• Limited range of motion; inability to fully raise the arm, with pain or stiffness when trying to lift
• Inability to lift the arm due to a torn rotator cuff
• Pain around the shoulder joint due to inflammation of the joint and surrounding tissues
• Loose and unstable shoulder joint, with possible sounds during movement, feeling of looseness, or easy dislocation

Treatment for Shoulder Pain:

Conservative Treatment

• Reduce use of the affected side, possibly with a sling to rest the muscles and joints temporarily
• Take pain-relieving medications or muscle relaxants; consult a doctor before taking any medications
• Apply a cold compress for acute pain following an injury
• Apply a warm compress after symptoms improve to help increase blood circulation and reduce swelling
• Consult a doctor for advice on self-care and physical therapy

Surgical Treatment

• If conservative treatment does not improve the condition and the cause can be addressed through surgery, the doctor may recommend arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Benefits of Arthroscopic Surgery

• Arthroscopic surgery allows the doctor to thoroughly examine the pathology within the joint with a small 3mm camera, resulting in smaller incisions, faster healing, fewer complications, and more effective treatment. After the procedure, pain is less compared to traditional surgery. Physical therapy can begin sooner, leading to a faster return to shoulder function.

How large is the incision for arthroscopic surgery?

• The incision for arthroscopic shoulder surgery is only about 7-8 mm.

Hospital Stay Duration:

• Since patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery have a reduced hospital stay, they typically stay in the hospital for 1-2 days before being able to go home.

Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery Technology: Small Incisions, Less Pain, Faster Recovery