Shoulder Arthroscopy

What is Shoulder Arthroscopy?

Shoulder arthroscopy refers to a type of minimally invasive surgery used for the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder problems. The shoulder surgeon inserts a small, thin tube with a camera and light source attached, also known as an arthroscope, through a tiny incision in the skin. The surgeon will then look at the projected images to find the source of the shoulder injury and repair it if necessary.

Shoulder Anatomy

The shoulder is one of the largest and most complex joints in the human body. It consists of 3 bones: the humerus (upper arm bone), scapula (shoulder blade), and clavicle (collarbone).

The humerus fits into the shallow socket of the scapula, creating a ball and socket joint. The shoulder joint capsule is a connective tissue that encapsulates the shoulder’s ball and socket joint.

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons in the shoulder. It is responsible for attaching the humerus to the scapula and allows for rotation of your arm. Between the rotator cuff and the acromion (a bone on the scapula), there is a small fluid-filled sac, also known as the bursa which allows the rotator cuff tendons to slide freely when the arm is moving.

When is a Shoulder Arthroscopy Recommended?

A shoulder arthroscopy is typically recommended when patients have not responded to non-surgical treatments for their shoulder pain, such as rest, physiotherapy and joint injections. Your shoulder surgeon in Singapore will be the best person to evaluate if an arthroscopy may be needed and if you are a suitable candidate for it.

What Does Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery in Singapore Treat?

• Rotator Cuff Tear: This occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff become partially or completely detached from the head of the humerus. This is usually caused by repetitive overhead movements, acute trauma or degenerative changes in the shoulder joint.
• Shoulder Impingement: This occurs when a tendon of the rotator cuff rubs under the surface of the acromion bone. This can be caused by a swollen tendon and inflamed bursa due to injury or overuse of the shoulder.
• Frozen Shoulder: This is a condition where the shoulder becomes stiff and inflamed, limiting movement and causing pain. The exact cause is unknown.
• Labrum Tears: This occurs when one tears the ring of cartilage that surrounds the socket of the shoulder joint (labrum). This can be caused by injury or overuse of the shoulder joint.
• Shoulder Arthritis: This occurs when cartilage in the shoulder joint gradually wears away, resulting in pain, stiffness and reduced mobility in the joint. This can be caused by injury, ageing or a degenerative joint condition like osteoarthritis.
• Shoulder Instability: Shoulder instability can be caused by a traumatic injury, repetitive strain of the shoulder, congenital conditions, or damage to the soft tissues or bones of the shoulder joint.