Shoulder Arthroscopy

Dr. Grutter is a Johns Hopkins fellowship trained shoulder surgeon. He has extensive experience in shoulder arthroscopy and its use in treating patients with shoulder pain. He is skilled in the use of arthroscopic shoulder surgery for the treatment of rotator cuff tears, subacromial impingement, rotator cuff tendinitis, shoulder instability, Bankart Lesions, AC arthritis and shoulder separations.

 

Five common causes of shoulder pain

1. Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
Shoulder pain that may radiate down into the arm and is worse with overhead activity may be related to tendinitis.

2. Rotator Cuff Tear
The pain associated with a rotator cuff tear is similar to the pain of tendinitis but often more severe and may cause pain at night while trying to sleep.

3. Bursitis
Bursitis in the shoulder is often related to bone spurs that can form with age. It generally causes pain in the shoulder and arm with overhead activity.

4. Frozen Shoulder
If the motion in your shoulder is restricted or you have severe pain in the shoulder with small movements you may have a frozen shoulder.

5. Shoulder Arthritis
Progressive pain in the shoulder with decreasing motion is often related to shoulder arthritis. Arthritis pain can occur along with a ratcheting sensation in the shoulder that occurs with movement. Shoulder arthritis can also cause a deep pain in the shoulder that occurs even without any movement and while trying to sleep.

Shoulder Arthroscopy

synonyms: shoulder scope, SATS, arthroscopic shoulder surgery

Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive way for orthopedic surgeons to evaluate the shoulder and treat many common shoulder problems. Shoulder arthroscopy is useful for shoulder instability, rotator cuff tears, Adhesive Capsulitis, Internal Impingement, subacromial impingement, subacromial bursitis, loose bodies and many other shoulder problems.

 

Shoulder arthroscopy is performed through several small stab incisions around the shoulder. The incisions are used to place an arthroscope (small video camera) into the shoulder joint as well as small instruments used to evaluate and fix the shoulder.Alternatives to shoulder arthroscopy include open procedures performed through larger incisions as well as non-operative treatment.

Risks of shoulder arthroscopy include but are not limited to: Infection, Neurovascular Injury, Hardware failure, chondral injury, arthritis, fluid extravasation, chondrolysis, hematoma, Pain unchanged or worse than before surgery, Stiffness, Incisional scar (cosmesis), CRPS, Numbness surrounding the incision, Incomplete relief of pain, Incomplete return of function, Need for further surgery, blood clots (DVT), pulmonary embolus (PE), and the Risks of anesthesia including heart attack, stroke and death. Although complications can occur they are uncommon and most patients are satisfied with their surgical outcomes. You should always discuss any concerns that you have about surgery with your surgeon and ensure that you have an experienced surgeon that you trust and are confident in.

After surgery patients are generally placed into a sling and begin early pendulum range of motion exercises. The post-operative course is dependent on the problems which are fixed during surgery. In general the post-operative course proceeds as follows:

Further information about Shoulder Arthroscopy can be found at the following site:

Every person and their particular circumstances are different so the treatment for your shoulder may be different than those discussed above. Please read this information carefully. Write down any questions that you have about your shoulder and its treatment and discuss them with your surgeon. Working together you and your surgeon will determine the best treatment for you.

Appointments to discuss Shoulder Arthroscopy with Dr. Grutter can be made here. If you have continued questions or concerns after seeing your orthopaedic surgeon a second opinion from Dr. Grutter is often beneficial.

Dr. Grutter's offices are located just outside Nashville in Gallatin, Tennessee. Directions to the Gallatin office from Nashville or surrounding areas in Tennessee can be located here. 452-3320Please contact our office if you are from outside the Nashville, Tennessee area and would like assistance in arranging lodging or transportation for a consultation.