Examining and repairing the joint from within through small incisions

The word ‘surgery’ sounds serious, but shoulder arthroscopy is performed through several incisions a few millimeters in size.

We usually see you after months of rehabilitation that has brought no relief, or immediately after an examination has shown serious damage requiring repair. It is often unnecessary to open the shoulder widely: we enter the joint through small openings and repair what is needed while viewing the image on a monitor.

What the procedure involves

Through several incisions a few millimeters in size, we insert into the shoulder joint a small camera about 4-5 mm in diameter and fine surgical instruments. The camera image appears highly magnified on a high-resolution monitor, allowing us to see the joint interior precisely without viewing it during open surgery.

During one procedure we can therefore view all joint structures, assess the extent of damage, and repair it immediately: reattach a torn tendon to the bone, stabilize or remove tissue that no longer serves its purpose, and clean inflammatory tissue from the joint or subacromial space.

When it is needed

  • shoulder joint instability when a detached labrum must be reattached to the socket so the shoulder stops dislocating,
  • rotator cuff tendon injury when the tendon must be reattached to the bone,
  • instability or degenerative changes of the long-head biceps tendon (LHBT), when it must be stabilized or cut and reattached,
  • subacromial bursitis when it must be cleaned and inflammatory changes removed,
  • early degenerative changes of the shoulder joint when cleaning inflammatory tissue from inside the joint is sufficient without replacing the entire joint,
  • situations in which imaging studies provide no definite answer: arthroscopy lets us see the joint from inside and immediately repair what we find.

What you gain from this method

Small incisions mean less disruption of the tissues around the joint, so postoperative pain is lower and scars are almost invisible. Hospital stays are shorter and you regain function sooner.

What recovery looks like

Immediately after the procedure, you usually stay in the hospital only briefly and, depending on its extent, may even go home the same day. Depending on what we repaired, you may receive a sling or brace to relieve the shoulder while it heals.

We tailor rehabilitation to what exactly was repaired: it differs after joint debridement and after tendon reattachment. The pace of return to full function depends on the extent of the damage found during the procedure.

Book a consultation

At the consultation, we will check whether arthroscopy is the right solution for your shoulder and tell you what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. Make an appointment and let us discuss your case.