Shoulder Arthroscopy

Shoulder Arthroscopy is surgical procedure in which a small camera (less than 1/4 inch in diameter) is used to examine tissues inside the shoulder joint (through a small incision). The saline is pumped in under pressure to expand the joint and to help control bleeding.
After checking the entire shoulder for problem areas, the orthopedic surgeon will make few additional small incisions to insert instruments like blunt hook to pull on various tissues, a shaver to remove damaged or unwanted soft tissues, and a burr to remove bone or a heat probe to remove inflammation in the joint. The orthopedic surgeon may place the camera in the space above the rotator cuff tendons so that surgeon can evaluate the area above the rotator cuff, clean out inflamed or damaged tissue, remove a bone spur, and fix a rotator cuff tear.

Shoulder Arthroscopy may be recommended for:

• A torn rotator cuff
• A torn or damaged cartilage ring or ligaments
• A torn or damaged biceps tendon
• A bone spur or inflammation around the rotator cuff
• Stiffness of the shoulder
• Inflammation or damaged lining of the joint
• Arthritis of the end of the clavicle