Rotator Cuff – Shoulder Arthroscopy
If you hear your doctor refer to a “shoulder scope” procedure, they are talking about a shoulder arthroscopy, a minimally invasive procedure used to examine and/or repair tissue damage in the shoulder joint.
Shoulder arthroscopy is performed to treat a variety of problems affecting the shoulder, including acromioclavicular (AC) joint arthritis, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff tears, bone spur removal, and repair of ligaments.
Rotator Cuff Repair Using Shoulder Arthroscopy
Rotator cuff repair is one of the most common shoulder surgeries we perform. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that connect to the head of the humerus and allow the arm to rotate and move upward to the front, back, and side.
Usually an outpatient procedure, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair involves the use of an arthroscope (instrument with camera) and specially designed miniature instruments to see and repair torn muscles or tendons in the shoulder’s rotator cuff.
Arthroscopy allows the surgeon to visualize and access the area in the most minimally invasive way possible. The patient is typically placed under general anesthesia, although regional anesthesia may also be used.
Once the patient is anesthetized, the surgical team prepares the patient's shoulder for the procedure. The patient is positioned in a way that allows the surgeon to access the shoulder joint easily.
The surgical team ensures the patient's arm is properly supported and immobilized.
- Creating Access Points: The surgeon makes small incisions, known as portals or access points, in the shoulder area. These incisions are typically less than half an inch in size.
- Inserting the Arthroscope: An arthroscope, a thin, flexible tube with a camera and a light source on one end, is inserted through one of the incisions. The arthroscope provides a clear view of the inside of the shoulder joint on a monitor.
- Assessment and Diagnosis: The surgeon examines the structures within the shoulder joint, including the rotator cuff, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. The damaged or torn rotator cuff is assessed to determine the extent and location of the injury.
- Preparing the Rotator Cuff: If the rotator cuff is torn, the surgeon uses specialized instruments to clean the damaged tissue and prepare the torn edges for repair. Any bone spurs or irregularities in the surrounding bone may be addressed during this step.
- Repairing the Rotator Cuff: The surgeon may use various techniques to repair the rotator cuff, such as anchor placements. Small anchors with attached sutures are inserted into the bone to secure the torn tendon back to its original position.
- Postoperative Care: The patient is carefully monitored in the recovery area as they wake from anesthesia. Pain management and postoperative instructions are provided.
The highly experienced orthopedic surgeons at The Bone & Joint Clinic are familiar with an arthroscopic approach to rotator cuff repairs. Find out today how they can help you.
Rotator Cuff Repair & Shoulder Arthroscopy Surgery in North Dakota
For more information, call The Bone & Joint Center at (701) 946-7400 or visit our appointment request page to learn more.
