Arthroscopy is a procedure used by the orthopaedic specialists to inspect, diagnose, and repair problems inside a joint. During Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery, the shoulder surgeon will insert a tiny camera, called an arthroscope, into your shoulder joint area. This arthroscope projects images onto a TV screen through which your surgeon can guide miniature surgical instruments for repairing the damages inside the joint. This common procedure has made the diagnosis, treatment and recovery of shoulder arthroscopic surgery easier and faster. Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery is completely a painless procedure and shortens the length of time it takes for you to recover.
What is Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery?
When is Shoulder Arthroscopy Recommended?
DR.Chandrasekhar, the Best shoulder specialist in Hyderabad recommend arthroscopic shoulder surgery when your condition is not responding to nonsurgical treatment. Some causes of shoulder discomfort include inflammation leading to pain, stiffness and swelling, injury, overuse, and age-related wear-and-tear. Here are the most common shoulder arthroscopic procedures:
- Repair of ligaments
- Rotator cuff repair
- Bone spur removal
- Removal of inflamed tissue
- Removal of loose cartilage
- labral Repair for recurrent shoulder dislocation
What Happens during the Arthroscopic Surgical Procedure?
You will be sent into an operating room or day-surgery room. Once you are there, you will be positioned in a way that is easy for the surgeon to adjust the arthroscope to have a good look inside the shoulder joint. The most common positions to adjust the arthroscopes are the beach chair position (you will be semi-seated in a reclining position) and the lateral decubitus position (you will be lying on your side).
Your surgeon will remove all hair from the site and then spread an antiseptic solution on your skin to clean it. Your arm will be in a holding device to keep it still and in place with your shoulder draped with sterile pads.
Your surgeon will then inject fluid into your shoulder, to inflate and clean out the joint area as it makes easier for him to see the structures. Then, he makes a small buttonhole incision to insert the arthroscope. Once he clearly identifies the problem, he will use small instruments to perform tasks such as cutting, grasping, shaving, suturing, and trying to repair the problem.
After repairing the underlying problem, your surgeon will close these incisions using stitches or small Band-Aid-like structures called Steri-Strips and covers the surgical site with a soft and large bandage.
What Should I Expect after Shoulder Arthroscopy?
In most instances, you will be able to return home on the same day of the surgery, but you need someone to drive you home, especially if general anaesthesia is given. In some instances, the orthopaedic specialist recommended an overnight hospital stay. Here are some of the things you need to consider following your arthroscopic procedure :
Shoulder Immobility: The amount of shoulder mobility depends on what was done during surgery. However, your doctor will give you all the necessary instructions related to this and be sure you follow them closely. Your shoulder might have a sling, a swath, or a brace following the procedure.
Incision Care: The incision site should be kept clean and dry. Dressings on the incisions are usually light and must be kept on for a few days. Sometimes, the dressing might drain within the first 24 hours but it usually stops. Speak to your orthopaedic specialist, if the dressing on the incision is Soakad with blood and the bleeding does not stop.
Ice: Most of our orthopaedic specialists recommend ice pack be used to the shoulder. Ice has an ability to control your pain and the swelling. Excessive swelling is quite uncommon and reports to your doctor if any. Use the ice for at least 20 minutes around 3-4 times each day. Never place the ice directly on the skin. Use a towel or soft cloth instead between your skin and the ice bag.
Medications: You will be prescribed with certain medications for pain, usually in pill form. These pills will control your pain.
Why DR.Chandrasekhar for Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery in Hyderabad?
Are you planning to have Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery in India, Hyderabad?
Find here why DR. Chandrasekhar is best Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgeon:
- The best treatment plan to enable you to have a healthy living and functional life.
- Various advanced technical machines to treat the patients
- Experience performing thousands of surgeries
- Achieve the best possible outcome and the lowest chance of recurrence.
- Patient-friendly surgeon
FAQ’S
What are the Common Conditions Found During the Arthroscopy?
The common conditions found during the arthroscopy include:
- Inflammation – Swelling and redness of the lining of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, or ankle
- Shoulder – Injury to the rotator cuff tendon, injury to the biceps tendon, impingement syndrome, and recurrent dislocations
- Knee – Meniscus tears, chondromalacia, and anterior cruciate ligament tears, evaluating damage to the joint surfaces if any
- Wrist – Torn cartilage or loose bodies
- Loose Bodies of Bone or Cartilage
How long does Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery take?
Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery usually takes 2 to 2 ½ hours and preoperative preparation and postoperative recovery take double this time.
How to sleep after arthroscopic shoulder surgery?
It’s quite common to have discomforts following the shoulder surgery, particularly during the initial days of surgery. However, the following are the few tips that can help you feel comfortable so that you can have less difficulty sleeping:
- Refrain from lying fat and raise your upper body with pillows
- Sleep in a reclined position and avoid sleeping on your side or stomach
- Use a pillow to support the elbow from behind and don’t let the elbow fall back onto the bed
- Placing a pillow under the elbow and hand allows maximum blood flow to the shoulder tendons while you sleep.
- Consider having a mattress as it can offer plenty of comfort and support and limits the pressure from hot spots or trigger points.
- If the pain is extremely bothersome during nights take pain medications as prescribed by your doctor.
What would be my recovery time following the arthroscopic shoulder surgery?
The recovery time totally depends on the damage in the joint needing repair. An arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with a repair of the MCL, meniscus, and LCL takes a lot longer to heal than a diagnostic arthroscopy of the shoulder.
Is arthroscopic shoulder surgery painful?
Though the recovery from arthroscopy is faster compared to open surgery, it may still take a few weeks for your shoulder joint to heal completely. However, you can expect some pain and discomfort for at least a week following the shoulder arthroscopic surgery.
How much does arthroscopic shoulder surgery cost?
The average arthroscopic shoulder surgery cost greatly influenced by various factors. The cost of your arthroscopic shoulder surgery has greatly affected the procedure that has been performed (inpatient facility or an outpatient surgery centre). However, the choice of having the surgery in an inpatient or outpatient basis depends on your overall health status.
