Medical Procedures Bone and Joints Shoulder Arthroscopy

Shoulder Arthroscopy

What is it?

Shoulder arthroscopy is performed to inspect, diagnose and repair problems associated with it.

All about Shoulder Joints

Shoulder joint is a complex joint made up of three bones: upper arm bone (humerus), shoulder blade (scapula) and collar bone (clavicle). It is ball and socket type of synovial joint. The head of humerus fit into the glenoid cavity of scapula. It is unstable joint because head of the humerus is larger than the glenoid cavity of scapula. Because of this instability it offers wide range of motion at this joint. Margin of Glenoid cavity is surrounded by fibro cartilaginous ring and gives little depth to glenoid cavity known as glenoid labrum. Tendons and muscles around the shoulder joint give stability to this joint. They are known as rotator cuff. The joint is covered by capsule. Inner surface of the capsule is lined by synovial membrane which secrets synovial fluid for lubrication of articular surfaces of joint. Bursa is a lubricating sac like structure between bone and muscle tendon. They act as cushion and helps to reduce friction. They can get inflamed and resulting painful situation is known as bursitis.

When is it required?

Shoulder arthroscopy is required when painful shoulder condition is not relieved by medication and physiotherapy.

Some indications of shoulder arthroscopy are:

  • Frozen shoulder (painful periarthritis)
  • Rotator cuff tears
  • Dislocation of shoulder
  • Tear of biceps tendon
  • Removal of loose pieces
  • Calcium deposits in rotator cuff tendon (Calcific tendonitis)
  • Repair of labrum
  • Removal of synovial membrane in arthritis, TB infection, synovial chondromatosis
Procedure

Shoulder arthroscopy is generally performed under regional nerve block. Light sedation or general anesthesia is given sometimes along with nerve block in order to avoid discomfort from lying in one position throughout the procedure.

  1. Arthroscope is passed through tiny hole.
  2. Fluid is irrigated through arthroscope to inflate joint and also to remove blood for better clarity.
  3. Through another tiny hole surgical instrument is passed for repairing tissue.

NOTE: The procedure takes about 30 minutes to one hour.

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