Arthroscopy, minimally invasive surgery for shoulder injuries
Written by:What is shoulder arthroscopy?
Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is a minimally invasive surgical technique that allows us to see directly inside the joint, without having to open it, thanks to a small camera.
In what cases is it used?
Shoulder arthroscopy is used nowadays to diagnose and treat a large number of problems affecting the shoulder joint. The most frequent are:
- Rotator cuff problems: ruptures, calcifications or inflammations.
- Instability: recurrent shoulder dislocation , micro-instabilities, etc.
- Pain : subacromial impingement, biceps tendinopathies or free bodies.
What are the advantages?
In relation to open surgery, arthroscopic surgery produces less pain and stiffness in the postoperative period. The hospital stay is shorter, because it is a minimal approach recovery is faster and with fewer complications.
How it is performed?
To perform the intervention, small incisions are made around the shoulder. They introduce a small camera called arthroscope and also the necessary instruments to perform the diagnosis and treatment of the corresponding pathology. It is usually performed with combined loco-regional and general anesthesia to control postoperative pain. The discharge can be done the same day or the following day depending on each case.
Is it a complicated intervention?
In recent years, arthroscopy has undergone a great development and due to its technical complexity it has become a surgery that requires an important qualification and experience. In experienced surgeons complications are not common and do not reach 1%.
Can the patient make normal life after the process or does he require rest?
In most procedures, the patient must carry the arm in a sling for a variable time depending on the surgery performed.. You will be able to carry out your daily cleaning and you will be shown some daily exercises that you will carry out in your home until the beginning of the rehabilitation .
