Shoulder Arthroscopy Surgery in Indore

Keyhole surgery to see and treat problems inside the shoulder – with Dr. Murtuza Rassiwala at Hakimi Ortho Care

A shoulder arthroscopy is a procedure where a surgeon looks inside the shoulder with a pencil thin camera and treats many problems through a few small punctures instead of a long incision. Useful for torn tendons, a torn labrum following a dislocation, inflamed bursa, loose fragments and stiffness that has not responded to other treatment.

Shoulder arthroscopy is performed by arthroscopic and orthopedic surgeon in Indore, Dr. Murtuza Rassiwala if examination and imaging shows a problem which will probably benefit from surgery. Many shoulders do just fine with physiotherapy and time. Arthroscopy is recommended only when they don’t.

Quick answer: Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure using a small camera and instruments inserted through two to four small incisions around the shoulder to diagnose and treat problems like rotator cuff tears, labral tears, impingement, and frozen shoulder. Depending on what is repaired, recovery may take anywhere from a few weeks for simple procedures to multiple months after tendon or labral repair.

Shoulder Arthroscopy at a Glance

What is Shoulder Arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy literally means “looking inside a joint”. An arthroscope is a thin tube with a lens and light that projects a magnified image onto a monitor. By gently distending the joint with sterile fluid structures can be clearly visualized. Specialized instruments such as shavers, graspers, suture passers and anchor inserters are passed through separate small portals to cut, release or repair tissue.

Typically two areas are examined at the same operation. The main ball and socket joint (glenohumeral joint) where the labrum, cartilage and biceps tendon sit. The subacromial space above the rotator cuff where bursitis, spurs and cuff tears are addressed.

Conditions Treated With Shoulder Arthroscopy

• Rotator cuff tears – Torn tendons reattached to bone with suture anchors.
• Recurrent dislocation and instability – Repaired torn labrum (Bankart repair) and tightened loose capsule.
• SLAP tears – Upper labrum and biceps anchor repaired or refixed.
• Biceps tendon issues – Release or reattachment of a damaged tendon.
• Impingement and bursitis – Bursa removed and bone spurs filed down where indicated.
• Frozen shoulder – Tight capsule released following failure of conservative treatment.
• Loose bodies and frayed cartilage – Fragments excised, unstable edges debrided.
• AC joint arthritis – In selected cases the worn end of the collar bone is shortened.
• Unexplained persistent pain – Direct inspection when diagnosis uncertain.

When is Shoulder Arthroscopy Recommended?

Indications for Arthroscopy:

• Examination and imaging show a definitive structural problem such as a full-thickness tear of the tendon or labrum tear with repeated dislocation.
• Pain or stiffness persists despite three to six months of appropriate physiotherapy, medicines and where appropriate injections.
• The shoulder repeatedly slips or pops out of position, particularly in younger, active people.
• Mechanical symptoms, such as catching or locking, indicate a loose fragment.

It is not generally recommended for general shoulder pain where there is no identifiable cause, for neck-related arm pain or for advanced arthritis (where other treatments are more appropriate).

Advantages of the Arthroscopic Approach

Compared with the traditional open shoulder surgery, arthroscopy provides:

• Smaller scars and smaller incisions.
• Reduced disruption to the deltoid muscle, the large muscle that covers the shoulder.
• A magnified, full view of the joint so associated problems can be identified and treated at the same time.
• Often a more comfortable early recovery and shorter hospital stay.

One important caution: the length of the incisions has nothing to do with the length of the recovery. Even a repaired tendon or labrum takes several months to heal to bone.

Is Arthroscopy Always the Right Choice?

Arthroscopy is a tool, not a diagnosis. Many shoulder problems that previously necessitated routine keyhole surgery can often now be treated without it. For example, many people with impingement-type pain improve with a structured exercise program alone, and frozen shoulder usually resolves with time, physiotherapy and injections. Arthroscopy is best used when there is a well defined problem that is not likely to heal on its own – a torn tendon, a torn labrum on a shoulder that dislocates repeatedly, or a piece of tissue that is causing a mechanical catch.

Before recommending surgery, Dr. Rassiwala will assess whether your symptoms are consistent with what is seen on the scan, how long you have been trying non-surgical treatment, how your problem is affecting your work and sport and the possibility of any neck or nerve problem being involved. This careful selection helps to make sure that arthroscopy is offered to patients who are most likely to benefit.

Shoulder Arthroscopy in Different Patient Groups

Young Sportsmen: Arthroscopy is often used in those under 30 who play contact or overhead sports to stabilize a dislocated shoulder by repairing the torn labrum, enabling the athlete to return to sport with greater confidence.
Working Adult: If you are in your 40s or 50s and have a painful, weak shoulder from a rotator cuff tear or chronic bursitis, arthroscopy can repair the tendon and clean out inflamed tissue with minimal disruption of the surrounding muscle.
People With Diabetes: People with diabetes are more prone to frozen shoulder and it is often more stubborn. If stiffness continues despite prolonged conservative treatment, then arthroscopic capsular release can be considered and followed by intensive physiotherapy.
Older People: In the older patient it is a question of balancing the quality of the tendon, the strength of the bone and the general health of the patient. Surgery is not indicated in most elderly patients suffering from degenerative problems of the shoulder, but arthroscopy can be beneficial in selected patients with painful, reparable tears.

Before Your Surgery

• Assessment: Diagnosis is confirmed with a physical exam and typically an MRI. X-rays are done to check the structure of the bone and exclude arthritis.
• Pre-Operative Tests: Depending on age and health, blood tests, ECG and other investigations are carried out. You may need to adjust blood thinners and some medicines for diabetes – only on medical advice.
• Getting Ready at Home: Ask someone to take you home. Loose front-buttoning clothes, a recliner or extra pillows for sleeping, and help with household chores the first weeks.

How Shoulder Arthroscopy is Performed

• Anesthetics: General anesthesia is combined with an interscalene or similar nerve block which numbs the shoulder and arm and provides pain relief for a few hours after surgery. Your arm may feel heavy and numb until the block wears off and this is normal.
• Positioning: Depending on the procedure and surgeon preference, you are either sitting up (beach-chair position) or lying on your side
• The Procedure: The first portal is made at the back of the shoulder for the camera. Systematic inspection of the joint – cartilage, labrum, biceps, undersurface of rotator cuff and ligaments. Additional portals are made on the front or side for instruments. The planned treatment – repair, release, removal or smoothing is carried out. Then the camera is typically moved to the subacromial space to inspect the upper surface of the cuff and the bursa.
• Completion: The fluid is drained, the small cuts are closed with stitches or tape, and a dressing and sling are applied.

Recovery After Shoulder Arthroscopy

Recovery depends mainly on what was done inside the shoulder.

The First Few Days

There will be swelling and soreness around the shoulder as the nerve block wears off. Regularly take pain medicines, use ice packs and keep the hand, wrist and elbow moving;

Physiotherapy (Physical Therapy)

A physiotherapist will guide you through gentle passive movement, then active movement and then strengthening. Sometimes these times are set by the surgeon.

Resume Activities

Desk work may be resumed in one to three weeks, often one-handed. Most of the time we wait until the sling is no longer needed before we drive. Steering should be safe to control. Depending on the procedure, heavy lifting, overhead work and sport can take several months.

Life at Home During Recovery

A little preparation makes the first weeks at home easier. Sleeping semi-upright in a recliner or with pillows behind your back and under your forearm usually helps to decrease nite pain. Dress the operated arm first and undress it last. 1. Keep often used kitchen items at waist level. Do not use the operated arm to lift pressure cookers, water buckets or heavy bags. Family members can be taught early passive exercises by the physiotherapist to help at home. Most people will start to see a significant improvement in their sleep and comfort after the first 2-3 weeks.

When to Call the Clinic

Should you develop fever, increasing redness or discharge from the wounds, or severe pain not controlled by medicines, or numbness and color change in the hand persisting after the nerve block should have worn off, please contact the clinic promptly.

Cost and Insurance

Shoulder Arthroscopy Cost depends on the procedure done, no of anchors or implants used, hospital and room category, length of stay and physiotherapy. Most health insurance plans cover arthroscopy if it is medically necessary under the terms of the insurance policy. Once assessed you will be given a written estimate.

Why Consult Dr. Murtuza Rassiwala

Dr Rassiwala has done his MBBS from Baroda university (2013), DNB Orthopedics from National Board of Examinations (2018), MNAMS and fellowships with F.I.A.S.M. and F.I.A.J.R. Arthroscopic surgery of knee and shoulder forms a major part of his practice at Hakimi Ortho Care. Patients are given a clear explanation of what the arthroscopy will entail, what is expected to be found and repaired, and how long recovery is likely to take for their specific procedure.

Schedule a Consultation

If shoulder pain, instability or stiffness is not getting better, find out if arthroscopy is likely to help. Visit Dr. Murtuza Rassiwala at Hakimi Ortho Care, Jawahar Marg or Phadnis Colony, Indore. Call +91-7224888071, 0731-4981538 or 0731-3695285 or book online.