Shoulder Arthroscopy is a surgical technique used to view, diagnose and treat (surgically or non surgically) the various problems present in the shoulder joint and around the rotator cuff vicinity. The arthroscope is a camera like, the pencil-sized tool which has a magnifying lens and a light source. It is used at the site of the diseased shoulder so that the doctor can view and diagnose the problem in the shoulder.
An Arthroscope is a small fibre-optic viewing instrument that consists of a light source, camera and a tiny lens. This camera is attached to the monitor to view through the shoulder- cartilage, ligaments, and the rotator cuff.
Shoulder Arthroscopy is an outpatient surgical procedure where the patient is able to return home on the same day.
Shoulder Arthroscopy is mainly used to view and diagnose the problems related to the shoulder. your doctor may highly recommend you to undergo Shoulder Arthroscopy in order to diagnose the problem. Once the exact problem is diagnosed correctly, it is much easier to treat it.
The indications which show that you may need a Shoulder Arthroscopy are:
• Evaluation and treatment of instability
• A torn or damaged cartilage ring (labrum) or biceps tendon
• A torn rotator cuff
• Stiffness around the shoulder
• Shoulder impingement, which is when the bones and tendons in your shoulder rub against each other
• Severe Arthritis
• Treatment of frozen shoulder
• Removal of loose bodies
• Drainage of shoulder joint infection
• Swollen Shoulder
For a very complicated case of shoulder injury or problem, an Open Shoulder Stabilization Surgery is recommended by the doctor.
There are several benefits of Shoulder Arthroscopy when compared to the Open shoulder stabilization surgery. They are:
• Minimal scars
• No overnight hospital stay
• Decreased pain and swelling
• Improved motion
• Quicker functional recovery
• Fewer risks and complications
Before the Shoulder Arthroscopy, the doctor employs an anaesthetic (local or general) to numb the part to be operated on in order to ensure a painless surgery. After the anaesthesia starts with its action, the doctor begins to start with the surgical procedure.
The doctor makes some very small cuts in the shoulder area where liquids like sterile salt water or saline are pumped in the shoulder to expand it. Once the shoulder expands, giving the doctor a clear view and room to work. The arthroscope is made to enter one of the cuts made so that that the doctor can look around the shoulder joint problem using the camera, which produces images on the connected monitor.
Once the problem in the shoulder joint is diagnosed, the doctor conducts the shoulder surgery where he may insert other small instruments through separate incisions to repair it. For tasks like shaving, cutting, grasping, suture passing, and knot tying, the doctor may use specialized instruments are used. Before making the stitches, the doctor drains the sterile or saline water.
Shoulder Arthroscopy is usually a minimally invasive procedure which is not very complicated. However, case to case, some side effects like infection, bleeding, delay in healing may occur.
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