What is shoulder arthroscopy?
Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive form of orthopedic surgery that is used to diagnose and treat a wide variety of conditions and injuries. During shoulder arthroscopy, Dr. Potts makes small incisions around the shoulder and inserts a small camera into the joint, known as an arthroscope. The camera sends live video to a monitor in the operating room where Dr. Potts can closely examine the injured joint without having to make large incisions. If a procedure is needed to fix the shoulder, special surgical instruments are inserted through the small incisions to perform the surgery.
Dr. Potts and his orthopedic team perform arthroscopic shoulder surgery on an outpatient basis under regional and general anesthesia. The majority of his procedures take around an hour to complete, but certain cases are more complicated and may require a longer amount of time.
What conditions are treated with shoulder arthroscopy?
In cases where conservative management fails to improve symptoms, Dr. Potts may suggest arthroscopic shoulder surgery to address conditions such as:
- Rotator cuff tears
- Shoulder labral tears
- Shoulder dislocation and recurrent instability
- AC joint injuries
- Shoulder impingement
- Biceps injuries
- Frozen shoulder
- Fractures
Who is a candidate for shoulder arthroscopy?
When a patient doesn’t respond to non-operative treatments including rest, activity modification, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, or corticosteroid injections, Dr. Potts may recommend surgery with minimally invasive shoulder arthroscopy. Dr. Potts is a talented orthopedic surgeon with extensive experience treating shoulder injuries, and he will only advise surgery when it is the best possible treatment option for you.
What are the benefits of shoulder arthroscopy?
There are numerous advantages that minimally invasive shoulder arthroscopy offers in comparison to traditional open surgery:
- Less post-operative pain
- Lower risk of infection or complications
- Take significantly less time to complete
- Reduced risk of scar tissue formation following surgery
- Quicker recovery and better overall patient outcomes
Overall, shoulder arthroscopy is an extremely effective procedure for diagnosing joint conditions and treating common shoulder conditions such as rotator cuff tears, labral tears, and shoulder instability. It can ultimately provide relief from shoulder pain and improve mobility with a quicker overall recovery.
