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Shoulder arthroscopy is an innovative procedure that can be performed to either diagnose or treat various conditions of the shoulder using minimally invasive means. Certain conditions, such as shoulder impingement syndrome and injured rotator cuffs, may require this procedure. The significant difference between traditional open surgical procedures and minimally invasive surgical procedures is the size of the incisions made during the operation.
The use of a small camera allows your healthcare provider to visualize and evaluate the images on a monitor as they perform the procedure, thus giving them the ability to diagnose your injury. If they determine that your injury requires surgical repair, they will then make small incisions and utilize small surgical instruments to re-establish motion and movement to your shoulder.
Arthroscopic shoulder surgery, also known as keyhole surgery of the shoulder, is a method of employing minimally invasive techniques for diagnosing and treating a variety of shoulder pathologies. The surgery is done through a small incision and an arthroscope (camera) is used to visualize the shoulder joint, thus enabling the surgeon to perform repairs with less damage to surrounding tissue, less pain, and faster recovery.
What Is Shoulder Arthroscopy?
Minimally invasive shoulder joint surgery (shoulder arthroscopy) allows a surgeon to visually examine the inside of the joint with the help of a tiny camera (arthroscope). The doctor can use small instruments to examine and repair the joint using small incisions. Doing so results in less pain and quicker recovery time compared to open surgery. If you are experiencing shoulder pain or have an injury requiring repair but have not yet had surgery, your doctor may recommend arthroscopic shoulder surgery.
Shoulder arthroscopy can be used for nearly all shoulder conditions, except for emergencies or total shoulder replacement surgery. Examples of conditions that may be treated with arthroscopic shoulder surgery include:
Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Surgery
Rotator cuff tear repair surgery is commonly performed in individuals who perform extreme physical activities such as working with their hands a lot; it is also common in persons engaged in athletic endeavors, who engage in a substantial amount of shoulder motion and require repair of the rotator cuff; a partial removal (debridement) of a spur may be performed during the same procedure, if that has been a factor contributing to rotator cuff damage.
Arthroscopic Bankart Surgery
Arthroscopically repairing a Bankart lesion is done by reattaching the labrum, or cartilage, of the shoulder; this involves attaching ligaments that were previously torn and frequently dislocated to the bone.
Arthroscopic Capsular Shift Surgery
This type of surgery repairs the shoulder joint capsule and shoulder joint ligaments to create a stable shoulder joint and/or repair a ruptured ligament.
Arthroscopic SLAP Repair (Superior Labrum from Anterior to Posterior)
An arthroscopic SLAP repair is required when there is a labral tear with associated arthritic changes, leading to successful restoration of normal shoulder function.
Arthroscopic Subacromial Decompression Surgery
Subacromial decompression is an arthroscopic procedure that helps reduce shoulder impingement syndrome by removing a small portion of bone at the top of the shoulder blade to allow unhindered movement of the rotator cuff tendons.
In the event of a shoulder arthroscopy, the best results can be ensured with careful planning, a thorough comprehension of the process, and a well-planned recuperation. What to anticipate is as follows.
Preparing for a Shoulder Arthroscopy
Getting ready ahead of time really helps keep the whole surgical experience smoother, and then the recovery, too. Before the procedure, it’s worth paying attention to a few things, even if it feels a bit tedious
Medical Evaluation – Your doctor will go through your medical history, do a physical exam and may also request imaging tests, like X-rays or MRI scans. Sometimes this part feels routine, but it matters.
Medication Adjustments – Some medicines, including blood thinners, might need to be stopped for a little while before surgery. Don’t just change them on your own, though.
Fasting Guidelines – You may be asked to avoid food and drinks for several hours prior to the procedure. Follow the time instructions you’re given.
Pre-Surgery Instructions – Try to wear loose, comfortable clothes. Also, line up a person to drive you back home after the surgery, because you probably won't want to deal with the road right away.
During the Procedure
Positioning – After the patient is anesthetized, he/she will be positioned in a comfortable manner on the operating table. The patient is generally placed in a recumbent position (lying flat on the back) or in a lateral position (lying flat on the side).
Incision and Inserting an Arthroscope – After making three (1-3) small incisions about the shoulder joint, the surgeon will insert the arthroscope (a tube-like device approximately 4-6 mm in diameter that contains a video camera that provides visualisation of the shoulder joint).
Inspections of the Joint – Using an arthroscope, the surgeon will visually inspect the shoulder joint for damage to any of the bones, cartilage, ligaments, or tendons.
Treatment – Surgeons commonly repair damaged rotator cuffs, remove loose objects from the joint, and/or smooth out damaged cartilage.
Closure of the Incisions – Once the repair is complete, the surgeon will remove all instruments and the arthroscope from inside the shoulder joint. The incisions will then be closed using sutures (stitches) or adhesive strips.
Post-Shoulder Arthroscopy Recovery
The amount of time it will take to fully recover from arthroscopic shoulder surgery depends on what was actually done during the surgery. Nevertheless, at a minimum, you will undergo the following phases of rehabilitation following surgery.
Pain Control - You will be prescribed medication and ice for post-operative pain.
Immobilisation - You will be in a sling postoperatively (for a short period).
Physical Therapy - After a few days, you will begin to perform passive and active-assistive range of motion exercises, followed by strengthening exercises once your shoulder has healed to that point.
Gradual Resumption of Activities - Most individuals begin performing light activities within a few weeks following surgery; however, it may take several months for an individual to fully recover.
For patients from India, shoulder arthroscopy can cost between USD 3400 and USD 5200, while for international patients, it will likely cost between USD 4500 and USD 7000.
A patient will need to stay for 2 days in the hospital following the procedure and outside the hospital for 1 week (7 days). Each patient’s total treatment cost will vary depending on their diagnosis, as well as other facility accommodations they select before coming to India to receive care.
Shoulder arthroscopy is performed in multiple situations based on two main things about the patient. First, the symptoms that the patient is experiencing and second, physical findings during the exam, along with imaging (x-ray, MRI, ultrasound). Below are some specific indications for performing arthroscopy of the shoulder:
Chronic Pain: Patients who have had chronic shoulder pain that has not responded to conservative treatment with rest, physical therapy and medication.
Imaging studies: If an MRI or ultrasound shows an abnormality of the rotator cuff (tear or full-thickness) or labrum, these results can help determine whether or not to perform arthroscopy.
Functional Limitation: If a patient has significant functional limitations of the shoulder (ex, difficulty lifting an arm, difficulty performing overhead activities), arthroscopy may be necessary to address the cause.
Signs of having an unstable shoulder: Persons reporting repeated dislocation of the shoulder or feeling unstable may be evaluated to determine if arthroscopic stabilisation of the shoulder can protect them from having an additional dislocation.
Age and activity level: Younger persons who are active and have injured their shoulders may benefit from an arthroscopic procedure to restore their shoulder function and subsequently begin engaging in athletic activities more quickly than older, less active patients.
No improvement in nonsurgical therapy: If a patient completes a comprehensive nonsurgical therapy program and does not achieve improvement, he/she may then be evaluated for the next step, being an arthroscopic procedure.
Common Risks:
Pain and Swollen Area: Some throbbing and swollen areas following this procedure will be present; however, they can be treated with the use of ice and prescribed pain medications.
Infection: Although very infrequent, infections can occur at the incision site. Signs you should monitor for include increasing redness, swelling, and fluid draining from the incisional area.
Stiff Shoulder Joint: After surgery, many patients will find that they have stiff shoulder joints; however, physical therapy can help regain motion and reduce stiffness.
Nerve Injury: Risk of nerve injury exists during the surgical procedure, which may result in long-lasting weakness or temporary and/or permanent numbness within the arm.
Rare Risks:
Blood Clots: In very rare cases, blood clots can form in the postoperative period.
Anesthesia Complications: Although the reaction to anesthesia is uncommon, reactions can occur. Patients should notify their anesthesiologist of any past reactions they have experienced.
Persistent Pain: After surgery, a patient may experience lingering pain, and further evaluation and/or treatment may be needed to address this discomfort.
Failure to Improve: There may be instances where a patient with a shoulder arthroscopy procedure does not attain the symptom relief that was anticipated. In these cases, another treatment (surgical or non-surgical) may be required.
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