Shoulder arthroscopy Perth

Everything you need to know about shoulder arthroscopy

Practice Locations

Claremont

Joondalup

Shoulder surgeon Perth

What could cause my shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain can have many causes, including but not limited to

- Rotator cuff injury or tear,
- Impingement syndrome,
- Shoulder instability/labral tear,
- Calcific tendonitis,
- Frozen shoulder,
- AC joint arthropathy

All these conditions can be treated with shoulder arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure, typically recommended when first-line treatments such as medication and physiotherapy have not shown to be effective.

The specific procedure will depend on your condition and on my assessment. Occasionally, shoulder arthroscopy can be done to diagnose shoulder problems when imaging tests are not conclusive.

In Perth I am known for exclusively repairing rotator cuff injuries with an all-arthroscopic technique for over a decade. I have been performing well over 3000 arthroscopic shoulder surgeries since 2011.

Dr Sven Goebel | Shoulder Surgeon Perth

Rotator cuff injury or tear

A rotator cuff tear is a common problem that affects one or more of the four muscles that are on your shoulder blade (scapula) and attach to the top of the arm bone (humerus) via tendons. The injury usually occurs where the tendon attaches to the bone. It commonly occurs as a result of wear and tear over time but can also happen after an injury such as a fall or an accident. The rotator cuff helps to lift and rotate the arm, so an injury to this area can cause pain, weakness, and limited movement in the shoulder.

Impingement syndrome

Shoulder impingement syndrome (subacromial impingement) is a type of shoulder pain characterised by the tendons and bursa (fluid-filled sacs) in your shoulder getting compressed or pinched, causing pain and discomfort. This can happen due to the narrowing of the space in the shoulder joint with formation of bone spurs on the roof of the shoulder (acromion), often as a result of overuse, injury, or the aging process.

Shoulder instability

Shoulder instability refers to a condition where the upper arm bone (humerus) pops out of the socket in the shoulder blade (scapula). This can cause further dislocations or a feeling of instability in the shoulder joint (subluxation). A single dislocation increases the chance of further instability by a large degree.

Shoulder instability can be caused by a variety of factors including predominantly injury or rarely genetic predisposition. There are several types of shoulder instability, including dislocations, subluxations, and chronic instability. Dislocations occur commonly towards the front (anteroinferior) and rarely towards the back (posterior) of the shoulder or bottom (inferior).

Calcific tendonitis

Calcific tendonitis is a condition in which calcium deposits build up in the tendons of the shoulder, causing pain and discomfort. This can occur in any tendon in the body, but it is most common in the rotator cuff tendons. The buildup of calcium can cause inflammation and irritation in the tendons, leading to pain and reduced mobility in the shoulder. Calcific tendonitis is characterised by waves of pain that can be resistant to strong painkillers.

Frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder, making it difficult to move the joint. This condition occurs when the shoulder joint capsule, which is a thin layer of tissue that surrounds the joint, becomes inflamed and stiff, causing the shoulder to “freeze” in place. Frozen shoulder can develop after an injury or for no apparent reason and typically progresses in three stages which are described here.

About me

Shoulder arthroscopy procedure

How is shoulder arthroscopy performed?

We use small incisions through which an arthroscope and surgical instruments are inserted to visualise and treat your shoulder joint.

First, a small incision (portal) is made in the back of the shoulder and a sheath is inserted into the joint that holds the camera. Normal saline will be pumped into the joint under pressure which distends the joint for better visualisation. Then, additional small incisions are made to introduce tools and implants. The number of “portals” are commonly anywhere between 2 and 6.

Dr Sven Goebel | Shoulder Surgeon Perth

Arthroscopic surgery is a useful technique to treat a range of conditions at the same time. It is known to reduce your pain levels early in the recovery and to reduce the infection risks significantly. It also allows me to treat multiple different conditions in one surgery.

Shoulder arthroscopy risks

Risks of shoulder arthroscopy?

As with any type of surgery, there are some risks associated with shoulder surgery. I will explain these in detail during your consultation.

General surgery risks

Shoulder arthroscopy recovery

What happens after surgery?

After surgery, you will be brought into the recovery room. You will wake up wearing a broad arm sling and you may require pain relief medications. Most patients remain in the hospital overnight and go home the next morning.

Shoulder arthroscopy can be used to treat several conditions. Therefore, recovery depends greatly on the condition and procedure that was used to treat it. It is important to follow up on my instructions and attend all scheduled follow-up appointments for proper post-operative care.

Sling

Depending on the type of procedure, you will wear a sling for several days to a few weeks. This is to protect the joint and support healing.

Shower

The nursing staff will show you how to have a shower without compromising the surgical repair. This will be before discharge in most cases.

Sporting activities

It varies how long it will take to return to normal sporting activities. With smaller procedures, early return to sport may be as early as 2-3 weeks but in a case where extensive repairs are necessary this may take many months.

Driving

Driving is possible once you can do it safely after a review with myself. This is commonly a week or two after the sling has been removed.

What protocols should I follow after surgery?

I will give you some instructions on what you can do and not do. A physiotherapy booklet will be given to you the day after surgery and I will tell you how to progress through the exercises at which point in time. It is crucially important for the success of the operation to follow these instructions.