“After a bad fall from a ladder and seeing two other doctors, I was referred to Dr. Szerlip. He was able to repair the breaks in my arm and shoulder. Four months post surgery and I have full use of my arm and shoulder. THANK YOU DR. SZERLIP!!” — Patricia J.
Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally-invasive surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat problems in the shoulder joint.
During the procedure, a small camera called an arthroscope is inserted through tiny incisions in the skin, allowing the surgeon to view the inside of the shoulder and perform repairs if necessary. It’s commonly used to address issues like rotator cuff tears, shoulder instability, and inflammation of the shoulder lining (synovitis).
Dr. Szerlip will use arthroscopy to diagnose the cause of your shoulder pain and provide surgical repair when your symptoms don’t resolve with noninvasive methods like rehabilitation or medication. Some of the most common shoulder conditions treated with arthroscopy include:
Dr. Benjamin Szerlip use the most advanced techniques for faster healing and minimal discomfort. Depending on the type of injury you have, the anatomy of your shoulder and other factors, you’ll either lie on your side or be in a seated, reclining position during the procedure, and your surgeon provides an anesthetic.
Your doctor injects fluid into the joint space to gently expand the area in and around the joint to allow for more precise images. Next, your doctor makes a small incision or puncture near the joint to insert the arthroscope into the joint.
Your doctor examines your shoulder via the images displayed on a monitor in the treatment room. They may make additional incisions to insert other instruments to repair your joint or remove extra tissue and debris.
Once the procedure is complete, your doctor applies a special bandage provides a sling to immobilize your shoulder and arm while you heal.
Arthroscopy provides a variety of benefits. Your risk of infection and scarring is lower since your surgeon only makes small incisions. Recovery times are also usually quicker with minimally invasive procedures such as arthroscopy.
