A look inside the shoulder
You've been feeling this pain in your shoulder for a while now. Maybe you've been playing sports all of your life, or it's just from everyday wear and tear. Maybe you feel the tingling sensation some call "shrink wrap" -- more commonly known as "frozen shoulders." And, you need surgery. But, there is good news. Medical science has progressed faster and further than many thought possible. You must sort through the various types of surgical methods available to treat the tear or injury and consult with your doctor.
Arthroscopic shoulder surgery
Arthroscopic surgery is known as the least invasive of all surgical procedures available. To get inside the joint, your doctor will make several small incisions, about the width (or length) of a fingernail. The doctor, with the help of his surgical assistants, will insert a tiny camera in one of the incisions to view their work during the surgery.
There are many positives in opting for this form of surgery. It typically can be performed as outpatient surgery and it takes the least amount of time. Patients, depending upon the severity of the injury, can be home a few hours after the anesthesia has worn off. Another positive is the cosmetic aspect. With small incisions, there's less of a chance for major scarring. And, with the application of some cocoa butter, the small incision scars from this type of the surgery can dissipate over time. But, perhaps, the most significant advantage is the shortened healing time from the incisions themselves. Using one or two stitches (sometimes sutures), really cuts this back. Within three weeks, the stitches are out.
However, not all types of shoulder surgeries can be performed arthroscopically. Some, can only be performed through open surgery.
Open surgery has its benefits as well though, since the surgeon gets a full look inside the shoulder, including tissue and the biceps muscle. This factor can contribute to a better recovery, and less problems down the road. But, cosmetically, the scars can be large and unsightly.
For now, there is no real answer as to which method of shoulder surgery is better -- "closed" or open. Some doctors believe that certain injuries, like a rotator cuff tear, cannot be reviewed and fixed well enough in closed surgery. Others believe that the camera gives them the ability to get just as good a look, if not a better one, inside the shoulder, while lessening the amount of tissue damage caused by a larger incision.
"Shrink wrap" and "frozen shoulders" are not typically resolved using surgical methods. A doctor may give a patient a specialized physical therapy regimen to follow, or use NSAIDS to treat the condition.
The most important aspect of all injuries is getting the correct diagnosis from the doctor. By working with the medical professional, you can receive the best care suited to you, and will feel more comfortable about asking questions regarding the surgery and exploring the non-surgical alternatives that might be available to you.
