Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery

Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive orthopedic surgery technique that can be used for a variety of conditions that affect the shoulder joint, such as a shoulder impingement or rotator cuff tear from an excessive range of motion. This procedure involves inserting miniature surgical instruments and a tiny camera, called an arthroscope, into the patient’s shoulder joint through a few small incisions. The camera transmits high-resolution images onto a screen. Our surgeon, Dr. Steven S. Godlberg, can assess the image and repair the visible shoulder damage with specialized instruments. It is a minimally invasive technique that has become the gold standard in surgical procedures to repair the shoulder.

Arthroscopic techniques avoid cutting muscles, tendons, blood vessels, and inflamed tissue to gain visual access to the affected area. The benefits of arthroscopy versus traditional rotator cuff repair include less pain, minimal tissue damage and scarring, and a quicker recovery for patients. Shoulder repair can be performed as an outpatient procedure in our accredited office surgical suite for rotator cuff injuries, problems in the shoulder blade, and convenient treatments for shoulder pain in Naples, Florida.

Arthroscopic Treatment for Shoulder Injuries

Orthopaedic surgeons can diagnose and treat many different shoulder problems with arthroscopy. Some of these include:

  • Rotator cuff tears
  • Labral tears, or tears in the shoulder joints
  • Impingement problems (inflammation of the rotator cuff tendon), upper arm bone spurs, or glenohumeral joint injuries
  • Bicep tendon injuries
  • Arthritis
  • Calcium deposits

Dr. Goldberg is calming and professional.

My shoulder replacement is fantastic. Played tennis after 10 weeks. Dr. Goldberg is calming and professional. – C.D.

I would have no hesitancy suggesting him to anyone with similar problems.

My experience with Dr. Goldberg has been wonderful. I felt totally informed of my problem and what would correct it. He did a great job on my shoulder replacement/reversal and today it feels excellent. The follow up with Dr. Goldberg and his staff has also been wonderful. I would have no hesitancy suggesting him to anyone with similar problems. – L.C.

Whole staff took top notch care of me!

GREAT DOCTOR!!!! Whole staff took top notch care of me! Would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Goldberg and his staff!!!! – G.D.

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Arthroscopic Surgery Recovery

Recovery from arthroscopic surgery is often faster than traditional open surgery, allowing patients to return more quickly to their daily activities. Some discomfort, pain, and limited mobility should be expected several weeks after surgery. Dr. Goldberg will prescribe pain medication to manage it – take the pain medicine according to instructions.

Participation in physical therapy is important to help strengthen and restore the shoulder’s mobility and decrease shoulder instability. Dr. Goldberg’s practice recommends a rehab protocol that encourages patients to perform specific exercises the first day after surgery and start physical therapy within a week of their operation. Implementing a rehab protocol with a physical therapist enables patients to return more quickly to their daily activities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shoulder Arthroscopy Surgery

What types of shoulder conditions can be treated with arthroscopy?

As medical technology has improved, there’s larger amounts of conditions that can be treated, including arthritis, rotator cuff tears, bone spurs, shoulder instability, shoulder dislocation, labrum tears and even some fractures. This is a rapidly improving option allowing the treatment of more patients in a less-invasive manner. About 50% of procedures are performed arthroscopically at Dr. Goldberg’s office. Many surgeries that used to be performed “open”, where the surgeon can see the wound, can now be performed arthroscopically.

What are the benefits of choosing arthroscopy over open shoulder surgery?

There are many benefits of choosing an arthroscopic surgeon including much less damage since the incisions are smaller, much less pain and scarring, less bleeding, and faster recovery. In many cases, the quality of the camera and zoom features allow the surgeon to see things at a higher level of detail.

How long does the shoulder arthroscopy procedure typically take?

It depends on what the surgeon is trying to accomplish. Some can be as quick as a few minutes and some can be longer, taking one or more hours. Think of cooking food in the microwave - the time the food needs to be cooked depends on what it is and how it needs to be prepared.

What kind of anesthesia will be used during the procedure?

Most arthroscopic surgeries in the shoulder will use a light general anesthesia but some will also use a regional anesthesia to numb the whole arm completely before the surgery. The regional anesthesia provides two benefits to patients: decreasing pain in the treated area when the patient wakes up after surgery and allowing the anesthesiologist to use less general anesthesia during the surgery, especially in cases where the patient may be older or concerned about how general anesthesia affects memory.

What is the expected recovery time after shoulder arthroscopy?

It depends on the severity of the procedure. It can range from a few days to a few months, depending on the complexity.

How soon can I return to work or resume normal activities after the procedure?

In some cases, patients can return to work in a limited capacity as soon as the next day or two. For a desk job, clerical job or work-from-home job, it can be as early as one to two days. For heavy work or construction, it can be several weeks or months before clearance is given to return to normal activity. Dr. Goldberg has performed over 3,000 shoulder arthroscopies in his career.

Will the arthroscopy leave visible scars on my shoulder?

Sometimes the poke holes are visible when wearing a sleeveless shirt. In many cases, the marks are extremely small and very hard to see.

Are there any long-term limitations or risks after having shoulder arthroscopy?

In general, arthroscopic surgery leaves patients with less scarring and less trauma to normal tissues. In most cases, there is significantly less concern about long-term damage than most open procedures around the shoulder.

Is there anything I can do before the surgery to improve my outcome and speed up recovery?

We recommend not smoking, limiting alcohol intake, making sure your heart and blood pressure are in good condition and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Will I need to wear a sling or brace after surgery and for how long?

Depends on the extent of the surgery being performed but most people wear a sling for one to four weeks after surgery.

When can I start physical therapy?

We often start physical therapy one to two weeks after most procedures but in some cases, we will purposely wait a month after surgery to allow the tissues additional time to heal.

Will I need assistance with daily activities during recovery?

You may need a little help with dressing, driving and preparing meals in the first few days after surgery. It is helpful to have a partner or family member to provide some help.

Will I be able to drive after surgery?

Depends on the extent of the surgery being performed but most people begin to drive one to four weeks after surgery.

How much pain should I expect after surgery, and how will it be managed?

Everyone’s recovery from surgery is somewhat uncomfortable. We are very aware that orthopedic surgery can be notoriously difficult, and we do many small things to try and make the experience as easy for the patient as possible. In most cases, people expect the worst and are often pleasantly surprised that it is not as bad as they expected.

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Orthopedic Surgeons in Naples, FL

Experience is important when choosing a physician for shoulder surgery. Dr. Goldberg has performed over 2,000 arthroscopic shoulder procedures in his career, making him one of the most experienced surgeons in the Southwest Florida area. Schedule an appointment today by calling our office or contacting us online!

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Shoulder problems are among the most frustrating experiences because they cause pain and can severely limit motion. Everyday activities heavily depend on joint motion. Having a limitation caused by injuries, inflammations, or wear and tear negatively impacts the ability to perform the simplest tasks. Arthroscopy is a type of surgery that examines and repairs tissues in joint areas like the…

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