Restoring Shoulder Function and Easing Discomfort

If you are experiencing shoulder pain either due to an injury or whether it is a "wear and tear" issue, arthroscopy may be an option for you. Pain is commonly often felt in the shoulder and upper arm with the neck, chest or hand. Sleep may be affected, and reaching overhead is often painful. Throwing an object can hurt, or the shoulder may even feel like it comes out of joint. Either way, surgery may be advised.

If a tear in the rotator cuff is suspected or confirmed, a repair may be required. Tears can be small and allow immediate movement or large, requiring a more conservative rehabilitation after a repair. This cannot be advised prior to seeing the damage at the time of surgery. If a repair is performed, a non-dissolving titanium anchor is inserted below the bone's surface with an eyelet for sutures. These sutures anchor the repaired tendon to the bone, and the tendon requires time to heal prior to stressing. No muscles are cut during this procedure; thus, shoulder function is usually significantly improved. The anchor is left permanently and, being titanium, is bio-inert, meaning the body does not recognise it as a foreign body. No inflammatory response ensues.

Shoulder arthroscopy usually involves an overnight stay. Dressings are changed to waterproof ones before discharge so you may shower. The wound has dissolving sutures. Physical therapy is advised starting immediately or after a two-week pause to allow the shoulder time to settle. A sling assists with pain control and protects the repair.

If your surgery was for the shoulder coming out of the joint (dislocating), then a shoulder immobiliser will be advised for four weeks. The arm may come out of the immobiliser, but avoid the policeman's STOP arm position. This procedure repairs the labarum of the shoulder – the tyre tube-like structure that deepens the shoulder's shallow socket and is commonly damaged with injury.