Shoulder arthroscopy

 

Alternative Names

SLAP repair; Acromioplasty; Bankart; Shoulder repair; Shoulder surgery

Definition

Shoulder arthroscopy is surgery that uses a tiny camera called an arthroscope to examine or repair the tissues inside or around your shoulder joint. The arthroscope is inserted through a small cut (incision) in your skin.

Why the Procedure Is Performed

Arthroscopy may be recommended for these shoulder problems:

  • 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)
  • A 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

Risks

Risks of anesthesia are:

Risks of shoulder arthroscopy are:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Blood clot
  • Shoulder stiffness
  • Failure of the surgery to relieve symptoms
  • Failure of the repair to heal
  • Weakness of the shoulder
  • Injury to a blood vessel or nerve

Before the Procedure

Tell your health care provider what medicines you are taking. This includes medicines, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescription.

During the 2 weeks before your surgery:

  • You may be asked to stop taking medicines that make it harder for your blood to clot. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), and other medicines.
  • Ask your health care provider which medicines you should still take on the day of your surgery.
  • If you have diabetes, heart disease, or other medical conditions, your surgeon will ask you to see your doctor who treats you for these conditions.
  • Tell your health care provider if you have been drinking a lot of alcohol, more than 1 or 2 drinks a day.
  • If you smoke, try to stop. Ask your health care provider or nurse for help. Smoking can slow wound and bone healing.
  • Tell your doctor about any cold, flu, fever, herpes breakout, or other illness you may have before your surgery.

On the day of surgery:

  • You will likely be asked not to drink or eat anything for 6 to 12 hours before the procedure.
  • Take the medicines your health care provider told you to take with a small sip of water.
  • Your health care provider will tell you when to arrive at the hospital. Be sure to arrive on time.

After the Procedure

Follow any discharge and self-care instructions you are given.

Recovery can take 1 to 6 months. You will probably have to wear a sling for the first week. If you had a lot of repair done, you may have to wear the sling longer.

You may take medicine to control your pain.

When you can return to work or play sports will depend on what your surgery involved. It can range from 1 week to several months.

Physical therapy may help you regain motion and strength in your shoulder. The length of therapy will depend on what was done during your surgery.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Arthroscopy often results in less pain and stiffness, fewer complications, shorter (if any) hospital stays, and faster recovery than open surgery.

If you had a repair, your body needs time to heal, even after arthroscopic surgery, just as you would need time to recover from open surgery. Because of this, your recovery time may still be long.

Surgery to fix a cartilage tear is usually done to make the shoulder more stable. Many people recover fully, and their shoulder stays stable. But some people may still have shoulder instability after arthroscopic repair.

Using arthroscopy for rotator cuff repairs or tendinitis usually relieves the pain. But you may not regain all of your strength.

References

Gartsman GM. Shoulder Arthroscopy. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2008.

Warren RF, ed. Shoulder arthroscopy. In: Rockwood CA, Matsen FA III, Wirth MA, et al., eds. The Shoulder. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2009:chap 20.

Review Date: 4/16/2013
Reviewed By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Bethanne Black, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial Team.

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