Most people with shoulder pain get better with conservative care, including activity modification, physical therapy, and medication. But some causes of shoulder pain may only improve with shoulder surgery.
At Douglas J. Abeles MD & Associates in Castro Valley, California, our team specializes in diagnosing and treating all types of shoulder pain. When we think shoulder surgery is your best treatment option, we use cutting-edge, minimally invasive tools and techniques, like endoscopic repair.
Here, we want to share with you when endoscopic repair might be the answer to your shoulder pain.
Who needs endoscopic repair?
When it comes to shoulder pain, we always start with conservative treatments. We want to give your body a chance to heal itself. But if your shoulder pain fails to improve with conservative care, it might be time to consider endoscopic repair.
You may develop shoulder pain from an injury, overuse, or degenerative changes that occur with age. Any of the following shoulder problems may damage the structures that make up your shoulder joint and benefit from endoscopic repair:
- Rotator cuff tear
- Labral tear
- Sprain
- Loose or damaged cartilage
- Chronic shoulder instability (dislocation)
We also perform endoscopic repair to treat shoulder impingement, which occurs when the top of your shoulder blade (acromion) rubs and irritates the tendons in the rotator cuff and the bursae sacs that cushion the soft tissue.
About endoscopic repair
Endoscopic repair is a type of minimally invasive procedure that uses an arthroscope to provide images of the internal structures of your shoulder without the need for a large incision.
During endoscopic repair, we make a small incision, insert the arthroscope, and evaluate your shoulder to determine what needs repairing. We make additional small incisions and insert the surgical tools we need to repair your shoulder problem.
Once we repair the damage, we remove the surgical instruments, close your incisions, and send you to the recovery area. When you’re stable, we send you home.
We use anesthesia during endoscopic repair of the shoulder, so you need to have someone drive you home and take it easy the rest of the day.
Recovering from endoscopic repair
Recovering from endoscopic repair of your shoulder is faster than traditional open shoulder surgery, but your recovery may take weeks or months.
We have you wear a sling during the first week and then start physical therapy.
When you resume your usual activities varies and depends on the underlying cause of your shoulder pain and the extent of your surgery. Some people may resume their usual activities in a week, while others may need to wait weeks or months.
Shoulder pain usually improves without surgical repair. But if you have ongoing joint discomfort, endoscopic repair might be the answer. Let us help you get relief from your pain. Call our office today to request an appointment.