When the shoulder becomes injured, it can lead to more than just pain and discomfort. It can limit mobility, reduce strength, and affect the overall quality of life. While some shoulder injuries can be treated nonsurgically, shoulder surgery is sometimes necessary to correct the damage.
Fortunately, modern medicine has made it possible to treat shoulder injuries without undergoing major open surgery. Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows orthopedic surgeons to diagnose and repair most shoulder joint issues. But what does this mean for you as a patient? What's involved in arthroscopic shoulder surgery, and can it help treat your specific shoulder problems?
At Pinnacle Surgical Orthopedics, Dr. Kaminsky and his team of orthopedic surgeons specialize in shoulder arthroscopy for patients looking to make an effective, long-term recovery from their injury. Dr. Kaminsky is committed to using these minimally-invasive techniques to help get his patients back to their everyday activities as quickly and safely as possible.
Here's what every patient should know about shoulder arthroscopy:
Understanding the Shoulder Joint
The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint, meaning it consists of a round end (the humeral head) and a cupped socket (the glenoid). Using these two parts, the upper arm bone fits into the shoulder blade, providing stable movement and range of motion.
This joint is responsible for movement in every direction, including rotation, abduction, and flexion. When this joint becomes injured or inflamed, it can significantly limit mobility and cause serious pain.
What Does 'Minimally-Invasive' Mean?
In general, minimally-invasive procedures are designed to reduce the damage to surrounding tissue and speed up recovery times. In contrast with open surgery, which involves making a large incision in order to access the affected area, arthroscopic surgery uses only small incisions and specialized tools that allow orthopedic surgeons to diagnose and repair joint issues with minimal disruption.
When it comes to shoulder surgeries, minimally-invasive techniques like arthroscopy offer a number of advantages over open surgery. These include smaller incisions, less pain and discomfort, reduced risk of infection, lower blood loss, and quicker recovery times.
How Does Shoulder Arthroscopy Work?
During arthroscopic surgery, a tiny camera (called an arthroscope) is inserted into the joint through a small incision. This allows orthopedic surgeons like Dr. Kaminsky to closely examine the shoulder joint and determine the source of your pain or disability.
Once any tears in the joint are identified, specialized tools can be used to repair them. These tools can also be used to tighten or loosen ligaments, remove loose fragments of bone or cartilage, and more.
Ultimately, shoulder arthroscopy is a safe and effective way to treat most shoulder joint issues, restoring a patient's mobility and quality of life.
When Do You Need Shoulder Arthroscopy?
Shoulder arthroscopy can be used to diagnose and treat a variety of shoulder joint diseases and injuries, including (but not limited to) the following.
Rotator Cuff Tears
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that help stabilize the shoulder joint. Inflammation in a rotator cuff tendon or a torn rotator cuff can cause pain, weakness, and limited mobility. A severe rotator cuff tear may require surgery in order to repair the tendon.
Arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery can be used to repair any tears in these tendons, as well as remove bone spurs or other damaged tissue. This type of rotator cuff repair is the preferred method for most orthopedic surgeons, as it typically results in less pain and faster healing.
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
Frozen shoulder is a condition in which the shoulder joint becomes stiff and painful, limiting range of motion. This condition can be very debilitating, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks like brushing your hair or getting dressed.
Shoulder arthroscopy is an effective way to treat adhesive capsulitis. By releasing any scar tissue that has formed around the shoulder, orthopedic surgeons can improve mobility and reduce pain.
Shoulder Instability
Shoulder instability is a term used to describe any condition that causes the joint to become loose or unstable in the shoulder socket. Instability in the shoulder joint can be caused by overuse injuries, muscle tears, or trauma. This instability can cause pain and limit your shoulder's range of motion.
For patients suffering from shoulder instability, shoulder arthroscopy is a safe and effective way to repair any damage in the joint and restore stability. This procedure can also be used to tighten ligaments and reposition the shoulder joint, both of which can improve stability and reduce pain.
Visit Nashville's Top Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgeon
At Pinnacle Surgical Orthopedics, Dr. Kaminsky is experienced in using minimally-invasive techniques like shoulder arthroscopy to diagnose and treat a variety of shoulder conditions. With leading-edge technology and expertise in the field, Dr. Kaminsky is able to get his patients back on their feet faster and more effectively than ever before.
If you're looking for an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in shoulder arthroscopy, look no further than Pinnacle Surgical Orthopedics. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you recover from your injury and get back to your active lifestyle as quickly as possible.
If you're ready to get started on your road to recovery, don't wait another day. Request your first appointment with Dr. Kaminsky and the team at Pinnacle Surgical Orthopedics today.
