5 Basic Types of Shoulder Arthroscopy
Shoulder problems can limit you from participating in the activities you love the most. In addition, shoulder pain can affect your job performance, making simple tasks—like lifting a bag of groceries—painful. While some people who deal with shoulder pain benefit from conservative treatments, like resting the area or physical therapy, others may require more extensive forms of treatment. In particular, arthroscopic shoulder surgery has helped many people who suffer from shoulder problems find relief. This minimally invasive procedure is a lot less damaging than open surgery, and as such, usually results in a quicker recovery time. So what is arthroscopy? And, what are some of the shoulder conditions that this procedure helps? Use this guide to understand the shoulder joint, its typical injuries, and how shoulder arthroscopy can help you! Understanding the Shoulder Joint We often don’t understand how much our shoulders do for us until we injure one. After all, our shoulder joints allow for more motion than any other joints in our body. To fully understand shoulder problems, first, you need to know what makes the shoulder such a complex joint. A joint is an area where two bones are attached by connective tissue and cartilage. These soft tissues, which hold the bones together, also allow for functional movements—like lifting that bag of groceries. The shoulder joint is where the top of your upper arm bone (humerus) fits into the rounded socket of your shoulder blade (scapula). This type of joint is known as a ball-and-socket joint. Specifically, the ball of the humerus slides around the smooth socket of the scapula. These bones are bound together by a complex system of soft tissues, including the following structures: Labrum: Fibrous cartilage that forms a gasket around the socket to cushion the shoulder joint and add stability. Shoulder Capsule: Ligaments that hold the joint together. This includes a thin membrane known as the synovium, which makes fluid to help lubricate the joint. Rotator Cuff: A group of four tendons that surround the shoulder capsule and keep your humerus centered and stable. This cuff covers the top of the humerus and attaches it to the shoulder blade. Bursa: A small sac between the rotator cuff and a small bone on top of your shoulder known as the acromion. This sac produces fluid to lubricate the rotator cuff tendons during arm movements. When any of these areas become injured, pain and inflammation can occur. In some more severe cases, an arthroscopy may be suggested by your doctor or orthopedic surgeon to diagnose and repair the problem. What is a Shoulder Arthroscopy? An arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery that helps a doctor view, diagnose, and treat various problems that affect a joint. During an arthroscopy, a tiny camera, known as an arthroscope, displays images on a nearby television screen. These images help guide the orthopedic surgeon as he or she uses tiny surgical instruments to repair the damage. Shoulder Arthroscopy vs. Open Shoulder Surgery An arthroscopy is much less invasive than open