SHOULDER ARTHROSCOPY
Please see the menu below to learn more about the details of a procedure, its related diagnosis, and what to expect following surgery.
AC Joint Resection
bone spur
(curved surface)
after resection
(flat surface)
An arthroscopic AC (acromioclavicular) joint resection is used to treat chronic AC joint pain, shoulder impingement, and bursitis. The AC joint is a very small joint above the shoulder which can get inflamed, overgrown, and arthritic in patients of all ages. AC joint inflammation and arthritis causes shoulder pain with lifting or use of the arm. This condition can occur in a variety of ways: overuse, repetitive motion, lifting, sports injuries, or a trauma or fall. An examination in the office as well as MRI imaging will confirm the presence of AC joint arthritis or inflammation.
If your symptoms have failed to improve with physical therapy, rest, anti inflammatory oral medications or cortisone injections, Dr. Bedford may recommend an arthroscopic AC joint resection. This is a minimally invasive procedure which involves the use of small portals to visualize and identify the joint and inflamed tissue and overgrown bone for debridement. Using arthroscopic instruments, Dr. Bedford will clean out (or "shave down) the inflamed tissue and bone spurs of the joint and surrounding area.
Following arthroscopic AC joint resection, you will be in an arm sling for your comfort. You may remove the arm sling as you feel able. Physical therapy should begin within two days of your surgery to minimize pain and swelling and improve range of motion and strength of the shoulder. Overall recovery to your pre-surgery level of activity is estimated to be about 6-8 weeks.​
Biceps Tenodesis
biceps tendon
tearing/fraying
SLAP tear
An arthroscopically assisted biceps tenodesis treats injuries of the biceps tendon or its attachment point deep inside the shoulder. The biceps muscle has two tendons at its top end: the long head and the short head. The long head of the biceps tendon travels up and into the shoulder, attaching at the top of the labrum. The labrum is the ring of soft cartilage around the rim of the “socket” of the shoulder joint, and the topmost portion of the labrum is the attachment point for the long head biceps tendon. This attachment can become torn either at the biceps or the labrum itself in a variety of ways: repetitive overuse and lifting, sports injuries, or a fall or trauma. A labral tear associated with the biceps tendon is called a SLAP tear; alternatively the bicep tendon itself can have tendinitis or a tear. A SLAP tear or severe biceps tendinitis or tear can cause popping, clicking, deep or sharp shoulder pain, biceps pain, or pain with reaching overhead or away from your body.
An examination in the office as well as MRI imaging will confirm the presence of a biceps or labral abnormality. Depending on the size, shape, and location of your injury, Dr. Bedford may recommend an arthroscopically assisted biceps tenodesis. Through arthroscopic portals, the injury at the biceps attachment is completed and the biceps tendon is unattached from the labrum completely. Through a small open incision near the arm pit, the biceps tendon is then reattached to bone using strong sutures and a small metal implant. This procedure restores anatomic tension of the biceps tendon, allowing for normal contraction and use, and takes pressure off the labrum at its attachment.
Following biceps tenodesis surgery you will be in an arm sling for four weeks. It is advised that you avoid any and all use of the operative arm during this time to prevent putting pressure on the new repair. Physical therapy should begin about a week after surgery to minimize pain and restore range of motion and strength of the shoulder. Overall recovery to your pre-surgery level of activity is estimated to be three months.
Labral Repair (SLAP or Bankart/Stabilization)
labrum
labrum torn off bone
labral repair
The labrum of the shoulder is the ring of soft cartilage around the rim of the “socket” of the shoulder joint. This serves to deepen the socket and increase stability to the shoulder joint; the topmost portion of the labrum is also the attachment point for the biceps tendon. The two most common types of labral injuries are a Bankart tear and a SLAP tear.
A labral tear associated with a shoulder dislocation is called a Bankart tear. When the shoulder dislocates, the “ball” traumatically leaves its place in the socket, pushing against and tearing the labrum. When the labrum detaches from bone, it is no longer stabilizing the shoulder. A Bankart can occur in a variety of ways: sports injuries, a fall, or trauma. A Bankart lesion can lead to recurrent shoulder instability, popping, clicking, clunking, or shifting.
A labral tear associated with biceps pain or injury due to weight lifting overhead or away from the body is called a SLAP tear. A tear of the biceps anchor, or superior labrum, can occur in a variety of ways: sports injuries, weight lifting injuries, a fall or trauma, or wear-and-tear. A SLAP tear can cause popping, clicking, deep or sharp shoulder pain, or pain with reaching overhead or away from your body.
An examination in the office as well as MRI imaging will confirm the presence of a labral tear. Depending on the size, shape, and location of your labral tear, Dr. Bedford may recommend an arthroscopic labral repair. A labral repair is when strong suture is passed around the labrum and then anchored down to bone where it belongs.
Following arthroscopic labral repair, you will be in an arm sling for four weeks. It is advised that you avoid any and all use of the operative arm during this time to prevent putting pressure on the new repair. Physical therapy should begin about a week after surgery to minimize pain and restore range of motion and strength of the shoulder. Overall recovery to your pre-surgery level of activity is estimated to be 6-9 months.
Rotator Cuff Repair
rotator cuff tear
rotator cuff repair
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their tendons immediately surrounding the shoulder joint. These muscles control rotational and upward/outward movement (such as reaching) of the shoulder. A rotator cuff tear can cause shoulder pain (especially at night-time), weakness, limited range of motion, or pain radiating down the upper portion of your arm. A rotator cuff injury can occur in a variety of ways: repetitive or traumatic lifting, a fall, a sports injury, or wear-and-tear. An examination in the office as well as MRI imaging will confirm the presence of a torn rotator cuff.
If you have a high grade or complete tear of a rotator cuff tendon, Dr. Bedford may recommend an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is minimally invasive and involves the use of small portals and an arthroscope. Strong stitches are passed through the torn tendon and then anchored to bone at the rotator cuff’s attachment site. Tendon that is reattached to bone will heal there, leading to a functional rotator cuff.
Following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, you will be in an arm sling for four weeks. It is advised that you avoid any and all use of the operative arm during this time to prevent putting pressure on the new repair. Physical therapy should begin about two weeks after surgery to minimize pain and restore range of motion and strength of the shoulder. Overall recovery to your pre-surgery level of activity is estimated to be 6-9 months.