Shoulder Arthroscopy Specialist
Chandran Orthopaedic Surgery
Orthopedic Surgeons/Joint Replacement & Sports Medicine located in Torrance, CA
Shoulder arthroscopy is a highly successful, minimally invasive procedure to diagnose and treat a variety of shoulder issues. At Chandran Orthopaedic Surgery, arthroscopic surgery specialist Shaun Chandran, MD, and his team perform shoulder arthroscopy using the latest tools and techniques. Get the results you deserve by calling the Torrance, California, office or booking a consultation via online scheduling now.
Shoulder Arthroscopy Q&A
What is shoulder arthroscopy?
Shoulder arthroscopy is a procedure to diagnose and treat problems inside your shoulder joint. You may need a shoulder arthroscopy if you have unexplained shoulder pain or if you have shoulder damage requiring surgical repair.
Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that usually requires less recovery time than traditional surgery that uses large incisions. Your recovery is also easier overall, with less pain, lower infection risk, less scarring, and less time in the hospital.
What is the shoulder arthroscopy process like?
You receive anesthesia before your shoulder arthroscopy, so you won’t feel any pain. During this procedure, your surgeon creates a few tiny ports — openings above the shoulder joint — and then moves a tiny camera into one port.
The camera displays real-time images from inside your shoulder on a monitor. Your surgeon may inject fluid in the joint to temporarily increase its size. This enhances the camera’s view and aids in both your diagnosis and treatment.
Your surgeon examines your joint up close to look for damage such as tears or loose cartilage. If you have any kind of tissue damage, your surgeon can then move surgical instruments through the other ports to repair that damage.
Tiny stitches or sterile bandages close the incisions. Then, you usually rest in recovery for an hour or two before going home.
What conditions does shoulder arthroscopy treat?
The Chandran Orthopaedic Surgery specialists perform shoulder arthroscopy to identify and resolve shoulder pain, shoulder mobility issues, and other associated problems. Some of the many issues that this type of procedure can diagnose and treat include:
- Shoulder arthritis
- Rotator cuff tears
- Loose bodies in the joint, like loose cartilage
- Shoulder instability
- Ligament tears
- Labral tears (cartilage tears)
- Shoulder fractures
- Cysts in your shoulder joint
If you have more complex or widespread shoulder damage, you may need another type of surgery, such as shoulder replacement.
What should I do before a shoulder arthroscopy?
Chandran Orthopaedic Surgery gives you preparation instructions before your scheduled shoulder arthroscopy. You may need imaging tests and blood tests ahead of the procedure to make sure that arthroscopy is the best approach for your issue.
You may need to change your medications temporarily based on your doctor's directions. Be sure to schedule a loved one to drive you home after your procedure as well. Depending on the type of anesthesia you're having, you may need to fast before your shoulder arthroscopy.
If shoulder pain prevents you from moving normally, it's time to find out how Chandran Orthopaedic Surgery can help. Book a consultation by calling the office or clicking the online appointment scheduler now.