Shoulder Arthroscopy

What is it?

Shoulder arthroscopy is performed to inspect, diagnose and repair problems associated with it.

All about Shoulder Joints
When is it required?

Shoulder arthroscopy is required when painful shoulder condition is not relieved by medication and physiotherapy.

Some indications of shoulder arthroscopy are:

  • Frozen shoulder (painful periarthritis)
  • Rotator cuff tears
  • Dislocation of shoulder
  • Tear of biceps tendon
  • Removal of loose pieces
  • Calcium deposits in rotator cuff tendon (Calcific tendonitis)
  • Repair of labrum
  • Removal of synovial membrane in arthritis, TB infection, synovial chondromatosis
Procedure

Shoulder arthroscopy is generally performed under regional nerve block. Light sedation or general anesthesia is given sometimes along with nerve block in order to avoid discomfort from lying in one position throughout the procedure.

  1. Arthroscope is passed through tiny hole.
  2. Fluid is irrigated through arthroscope to inflate joint and also to remove blood for better clarity.
  3. Through another tiny hole surgical instrument is passed for repairing tissue.

NOTE: The procedure takes about 30 minutes to one hour.

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