Shoulder Surgery

Your shoulder is the most flexible joint in your body. It allows you to place and rotate your arm in many positions in front, above, to the side, and behind your body. This flexibility also makes your shoulder susceptible to instability and injury.

Depending on the nature of the problem, nonsurgical methods of treatment often are recommended before surgery. However, in some instances, delaying the surgical repair of a shoulder can increase the likelihood that the problem will be more difficult to treat later. Early, correct diagnosis and treatment of shoulder problems can make a significant difference in the long run.

Symptoms

In the early stages of shoulder problems, pain is often experienced in the entire shoulder. As the shoulder causes discomfort with every movement, sleeping problems are likely. It is common to experience pain when reaching behind, for example, for one's back pocket or trying to reach for something on the back seat of the car. The longer the pain is there, the more likely it is that stiffness in the entire shoulder occurs, eventually preventing normal lifting or normal mobility of the arm.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The surgeon will conduct a physical examination and may order X-rays, CT Scans or even an MRI to determine the exact cause of the problem. It may be necessary to perform a shoulder Arthroscopy to ascertain the extent of damage or to locate the problem.

Initial treatment may be a course of physiotherapy or cortisone injections to promote natural healing. the surgeon may suggest that the arm is immobilized in a sling so as to allow the damaged tendons and ligaments to heal. If the damage is considered to bad or the above methods fail to improve the condition then surgery may be considered.

Shoulder Arthroscopy

Shoulder Arthroscopy is surgery that uses a tiny camera called an arthroscope to examine or repair the tissues inside or around your shoulder joint. The arthroscope is inserted through a small incision (cut) in your skin.

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that cover your shoulder joint. These muscles and tendons hold your arm in your ball and socket shoulder joint, and they help you move your shoulder in different directions. The tendons in the rotator cuff can tear when they are overused or injured.