Diagnostic Shoulder Arthroscopy: What to Expect

Shoulder pain, shoulder injuries, and mysterious shoulder issues need treatment to relieve discomfort and preserve the strength and integrity of this important upper body joint. But, in some cases, the cause of your shoulder issues is unclear.

At Burlingame Orthopedics, our team, under the leadership of board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Richard Han, makes sure you receive an accurate diagnosis and customized treatment plan. We help patients with chronic and acute shoulder injuries from our location in Burlingame, California.

In order to diagnose your shoulder pain or dysfunction, Dr. Han may recommend a diagnostic shoulder arthroscopy. This minimally invasive surgery gives Dr. Han and the Burlingame Orthopedics team more information about the location and nature of the underlying issue causing your symptoms.

If Dr. Han suggests a diagnostic shoulder arthroscopy for you, what can you expect during the procedure? We take a closer look in this blog.

Why you need shoulder arthroscopy

The team at Burlingame Orthopedics consult with you to determine if this type of diagnostic procedure is right for you. You may need shoulder arthroscopy for shoulder dislocation, rotator cuff injuries, or labrum tears. Fractures and pinched nerves may also require diagnostic arthroscopy before treatment. And, sometimes arthritis or cartilage inflammation treatment starts with this procedure.

We start your diagnosis with imaging exams like X-rays. But, if those tests don’t provide clear results, it may be time for arthroscopy. It’s also possible to make repairs surgically during your diagnostic arthroscopy, so one procedure may diagnose and effectively treat your shoulder injury.

What to expect during your shoulder arthroscopy

For your procedure, you go under general or local anesthesia. You may not be conscious, or pain in the treatment area may be numbed to prevent you experiencing discomfort. Nerve block injections may also provide pain relief after shoulder arthroscopy.

This type of surgery is much less invasive that traditional open surgery techniques. Instead of creating a large incision to view the interior of your shoulder, with accompanying infection and scarring risks, your provider at Burlingame Orthopedics creates one or more incisions just big enough to insert an arthroscope viewing tool and specialized tiny surgical tools.

An injection of fluid into your shoulder joint inflates it so that the arthroscope can return clearer images. A display screen projects live images from the arthroscope, guiding your surgeon’s work with a high degree of precision.

Once imaging is complete, and any possible repairs have been made, it’s time to close your incision or incisions. A few stitches help your small incisions heal.

After shoulder arthroscopy

After your surgery, the team moves you to a recovery room so you can recover from anesthesia. It’s rare to stay overnight in a hospital after shoulder arthroscopy.

Often, you need someone to drive you home after your procedure. In the first week after your surgery, you may experience some pain and soreness, and should rest your shoulder. A sling can help to support your shoulder joint. Within a few weeks, you should be able to return to most of your normal activities. And, if needed, your shoulder treatment can proceed to end your pain or dysfunction symptoms for good.

To find out more about shoulder arthroscopy, contact Burlingame Orthopedics online or over the phone today and schedule your initial consultation appointment.