Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery

Whether you hurt your shoulder unexpectedly or repetitive activities and aging tissues are responsible for your pain and inability to move your arm, the best outcome for soft tissue damage in the shoulder is often arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

What is Shoulder Arthroscopy?

Minimally invasive techniques such as shoulder arthroscopy promote faster and less painful recovery. Shoulder arthroscopy surgeons perform arthroscopic ligament and capsule repair through a tiny incision into which a small scope is inserted to observe the inside of the joint.

There are three bones in the shoulder: the humerus, or upper arm; the scapula, or shoulder blade; and the clavicle, or collarbone. The rotator cuff consists of muscles and tendons that keep the head of the humerus in the shoulder socket. This group of muscles and tendons form the “cuff” over the end of the upper arm. When the rotator cuff tears, the injury most often occurs in the supraspinatus muscle. This is a relatively small muscle in the back, running from the front of the shoulder blade to the humerus’ greater tubercle. The greater tubercle lies laterally to the humerus’ head.

While the shoulder has a high range of motion, it is an unstable joint because of that exact reason. It is easily subject to injury because the ball of the upper arm is larger than the shoulder socket that holds it. Because the bones provide little inherent stability to the shoulder joint, it is highly dependent on surrounding soft tissues such as capsule ligaments and the muscles surrounding the rotator cuff to hold the ball in place. Some shoulder problems arise from the disruption of these soft tissues as a result of injury or from overuse or underuse of the shoulder. Other problems arise from a degenerative process in which tissues break down and no longer function well.

What to Expect During Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery

For shoulder conditions involving the surrounding muscles and tendons, such as a torn or diseased rotator cuff or a labral tear, a minimally invasive shoulder arthroscopy procedure is usually recommended.

Rotator cuff tears are either partial or complete. The latter is also known as a full-thickness tear. While a partial tear damages the tendon, it is not totally severed. That is not true of the complete tear, in which a hole in the tendon generally appears, and the tendon separates from the bone.

The patient is given a regional nerve block or anesthetized during the procedure. A tiny camera and instruments are used to identify and remove bone spurs or inflamed bursa. Small metal screws known as suture anchors are placed into the bone, and the tendons are then sewn into the bone via the suture anchors.

Arthroscopic techniques involving the shoulder are relatively new and highly technical. They are best performed by a surgical team that performs this surgery often. At HOI, you will find that the orthopedic surgeons and the entire team are trained in leading-edge shoulder surgery.

Performing Surgery to Correct Bankhart Lesions

Your orthopedic surgeon may determine that a recurrent dislocating shoulder or shoulder separation is an injury severe enough to require surgery. Injuries where part of the ligaments and capsule of the shoulder are pulled away from the bone are called Bankhart lesions.

Surgical techniques are aimed at fixing this problem and tightening the ligaments of the shoulder that have been stretched or torn by the dislocation. Repairing the torn capsule and ligament back to the bone is called a Bankhart repair, and tightening the capsule of the shoulder is called a capsular shift. All of these procedures can be done with arthroscopic techniques.

Advanced Arthroscopic Treatment of the Shoulder

Patients can now benefit from advanced arthroscopic treatments of the shoulder that didn’t exist a few years ago. At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, patients can take advantage of cutting-edge technology and arthroscopic procedures performed by fellowship-trained surgeons specializing in arthroscopic surgical repair.

Along with advances in arthroscopy, surgeons at Hoag Orthopedic Institute use CT and MRI-based modeling for enhanced accuracy.

Recovery and Rehabilitation After Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery

When your shoulder surgery is arthroscopic, the size of the surgical scar will be smaller, and the amount of pain after the operation will be less. Rehabilitation will be quicker as well. The amount and type of movement that you will be allowed to do following surgery will depend on the procedure that was done.

Recovery from arthroscopic shoulder surgery should take approximately 16 weeks. For the first four to six weeks, the arm is immobilized in a sling. With regular physical therapy, a functional range of motion is restored in most patients within that four-month timeframe.

In general, activities will be limited and gradually increased until the range of motion and strength in the repaired shoulder is equal to that of the other arm. In some cases, you may be able to return to light work within a few days. During your recovery period, you will be asked to conform to an exercise program set by Hoag Orthopedic Institute’s physical therapy team and your doctor as you continue to strengthen the shoulder.

Find a Shoulder Care Doctor

Find a Shoulder Arthroscopy Doctor Near You

Many patients describe rotator cuff pain and other tears as a dull but deep ache within the shoulder. Seek medical attention as soon as possible after symptoms develop. Continuing to use an arm with a rotator cuff or other type of tear will make matters worse and can cause a partial tear to become a complete one. The longer you wait to seek medical attention for a shoulder issue, the more complicated the surgery might become.

Hoag Orthopedic Institute performs a high volume of shoulder surgeries and the most total shoulder replacement and revision surgeries in Orange County.

Frequently Asked Questions

At your first visit, you’ll meet with a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic shoulder specialist who will take time to understand the symptoms you have, as well as your concerns and goals. Your appointment will begin with a thorough review of your medical history and any relevant imaging or test results you have. Your shoulder doctor will perform a focused physical exam to assess your joint stability, range of motion, and areas of pain or weakness.
If additional information is needed, tests such as X-rays, an ultrasound, or an MRI can be arranged on-site. You’ll then discuss the most likely causes of your symptoms and consider both non-surgical and surgical treatment options. Before you leave, your shoulder specialist will outline a personalized plan for the next steps, so you are informed and feel supported and confident in your care.
To schedule your consultation with an experienced shoulder doctor at Hoag Orthopedic Institute, call (949) 890-0464 or complete our secure online request form. We’ll connect you with the orthopedic shoulder specialist best suited to your needs and help arrange any imaging or records in advance, so you can quickly access the latest diagnostic tools and treatment options.
Our award-winning team of orthopedic shoulder doctors offers a full spectrum of treatments to address everything from minor strains to complex joint damage. Our non-surgical care may include targeted physical therapy to restore strength and mobility, bracing for added stability, and image-guided injections to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
When surgery is your most effective option, our shoulder surgeons perform procedures such as arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, labral repair, fracture fixation, and total or reverse shoulder replacement. Many of these surgeries incorporate advanced robotic-assisted technology, allowing for precise implant positioning, secure joint reconstruction, and improved functional outcomes.
We tailor your treatment plan to your specific condition and goals, helping you heal, regain strength, and return to the activities that matter most to you.
At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, our team of board-certified, fellowship-trained shoulder doctors and orthopedic shoulder surgeons brings world-class expertise to diagnosing and treating your injury or condition. Our shoulder specialists use advanced treatment options, ranging from conservative therapies to highly complex shoulder surgery performed with minimally invasive and robotic-assisted techniques, including reverse shoulder arthroplasty. Using robotic technology, our shoulder surgeons perform highly accurate implant placement and stable joint reconstruction, while better protecting surrounding tissue, improving function, and promoting a smoother recovery.
Whether you’re suffering from a sports injury, degenerative arthritis, or a complex rotator cuff tear, we personalize your care to your specific needs and goals. Our orthopedic shoulder specialists apply leading-edge techniques with one clear purpose—to help you move comfortably again and return to the activities you enjoy.

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