Shoulder Arthroscopy
What is a shoulder arthroscopy?
The arthroscope allows Dr Markham to look into your joint via a very small incision (usually less than 1cm) without having to open the joint up.
With a fibre-optic light source and a magnifying camera lens, the arthroscope provides a very accurate view of your joint to determine what needs to be repaired.
The camera images of your joint are displayed on a TV monitor for Dr Markham to view.
- Arthroscopy is performed as a day surgery, so there’s no need to stay in hospital overnight or for lengthy periods
- There is generally a more rapid recovery than with open more invasive surgical procedures and less risk of stiffness or after care issues.
This day surgery procedure is commonly used for repairing tears in the rotator cuff, to treat shoulder impingement (removing spurs) or to repair labral tears to improve stability in the shoulder.
Here is a complete list of conditions arthroscopy is used for:
- Acute sports injury (Swimmer’s Shoulder)
- Acromioclavicular joint arthritis
- Labral tears
- Shoulder impingement
- Shoulder instability
- Rotator cuff tears
- Subacromial decompression (shoulder impingement)
- Removal of loose bodies (that can float around the joint)
- SLAP lesions
- Biceps tendonitis/ tears
- You may be in the recovery room for an hour or so after your procedure, and you will be given pain management to help control any discomfort.
- Your shoulder will be immobilised with a sling
- In the first few weeks after surgery you will be instructed on gentle range-of motion exercises to prevent stiffness and promote healing .
- It is generally OK to shower within a day or two of arthroscopy.
- It is best not to drive until you are completely off pain medication and out of the sling.
- It is very important to follow Dr Markham’s advice regarding lifting, exercising and returning to sport.
- Swelling and pain are normal over the first two weeks. Red flags to call Dr Markham promptly include fever, oozing of the wound, or redness around the surgical site.
- Changes in skin colour, loss of sensation or worsening symptoms of pain, stiffness or weakness are important to notify us about promptly.
- Rarely shortness of breath may indicate a blood clot which is a medical emergency.
Arthroscopy is performed under general anesthesia and local anaesthetic blockade, so there is no pain during the procedure and usually minimal pain on the day of surgery.
Some discomfort and soreness is common after the procedure, and is worse after the initial 24hrs (when the local anaesthetic blockade wears off), but usually subsides within a few days and is generally relieved with medication.
Most patients can resume normal activities after two weeks, albeit with a sling as prescribed by Dr Markham.
It is common for patients to wear a sling after arthroscopy, to protect and support the shoulder as it heals, for up to 6 weeks.
Rehabilitation (gentle daily exercises) daily will improve range of movement and speed recovery.
