Do I Qualify for Minimally Invasive Shoulder Surgery?
Over the last few decades, the medical field has witnessed a rise in minimally invasive surgery procedures across all specialties. New advancements in minimally invasive approaches mean many things for patients, including quicker recovery times and more infrequent complications. This has translated into unique ways to replace joints, correct sports injuries, and treat complicated musculoskeletal problems in the orthopedic field.
Shoulder injuries, in particular, are a common concern that can lead you to an orthopedic surgeon in Debary. Here's a summary of what minimally invasive shoulder surgery implicates and what injuries and ailments it can treat.
Minimally invasive shoulder surgery
To comprehend how minimally invasive shoulder surgery operates, clearly understanding what's involved with any minimally invasive surgery is essential. Whereas traditional surgery usually requires a considerable incision and substantial trauma to the soft tissue encircling the treatment area, minimally invasive orthopedic surgery endeavors to minimize both the extent of surgical incisions and the trauma to surrounding soft tissue. In orthopedics, this can be the difference between revealing an entire joint through an extensive, open incision and utilizing small, targeted incisions to address the problem area. This leads to less risk during surgery, less post-operative discomfort, and shorter patient recovery times.
How it works
Minimally invasive shoulder surgery, or shoulder arthroscopy, involves making two or more slight incisions in your shoulder and inserting a thin tube mounted with a tiny camera (called an arthroscope) to visualize the joint's interior. Then, small surgical tools are inserted through the other incisions, and the whole operation is broadcast to a tv screen. The surgeon uses this broadened image to guide the instruments and make necessary repairs. Surgeons use this procedure to ease painful symptoms from damaged rotator cuff tendons, labrum, articular cartilage, and other soft tissues encircling the shoulder joint.
Who is a candidate?
Nonoperative management and conventional surgery are the preferred treatment methods for numerous orthopedic shoulder injuries and ailments. However, when surgery is required, you should consult an experienced orthopedic surgeon who can clarify your choices and specify whether a minimally invasive approach would fit your needs.
A few shoulder issues that can be treated with shoulder arthroscopy include the following:
Rotator cuff injuries
You might require an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair if you have experienced a rotator cuff tear, either as a consequence of a traumatic injury (acute tear) or as an outcome of wear and tear over time (degenerative tear). It might also be advised for a rotator cuff injury that does not improve after several months of nonsurgical therapy.
Biceps tendon injuries
The biceps tendon begins in your shoulder joint. If it is torn or damaged, then it can be a substantial source of pain or distress. Minimally invasive shoulder surgery can either correct a torn biceps tendon or move it out of the shoulder joint so it stops being a source of pain.
Labral injury
You may need an arthroscopic labral repair or removal if you have suffered a labral tear. Depending on whether your shoulder is stable or unstable due to the injury, this repair might involve removing the torn flap or section. In circumstances where the tendon is entirely detached or extends into the biceps tendon, repairing and reattaching the tendon is likely.