If nonsurgical treatments no longer provide relief for your shoulder condition, you may be considering surgery. Shoulder surgery can offer a number of important benefits.
The shoulder consists of several joints, along with a group of tendons and muscles that surround the shoulder joint (known as the rotator cuff), to allow a wide range of motion in the arm. However, the shoulder can be vulnerable to injury, such as tendonitis or tendon tears, fractures, and instability or impingement of the soft tissues or bony structures within the shoulder. This can result in pain and reduced function and motion in the shoulder. Arthritis can also affect the shoulder, which can lead to chronic pain and disability.
When Is Shoulder Surgery Considered?
In some cases, nonsurgical treatments, such as rest, activity modification, physical therapy, and medications, may be all that is necessary to relieve symptoms. This will depend on the type and severity of the condition. Shoulder surgery may be recommended if conservative treatments don’t improve symptoms or repair significant damage to the shoulder joint.
A common type of shoulder surgery is arthroscopy. This is a minimally invasive procedure that utilizes a miniature camera and tiny surgical equipment to view, diagnose, and treat joint problems. Common shoulder injuries, such as rotator cuff tears, damage caused by arthritis, and impingement in the shoulder, can often be treated arthroscopically. Other types of shoulder surgery can include total replacement surgery and reverse shoulder replacement surgery.
Benefits of Shoulder Surgery
Shoulder surgery is rarely considered until all other treatments have been fully explored. However, in some cases, surgery can provide many benefits, allowing you to get back to the activities you enjoy, pain-free. Benefits include:
Relief from Shoulder Pain
If you are experiencing persistent pain that is affecting your day-to-day life, shoulder surgery may be an option to consider. Rotator cuff tears and damaged tissue can often be diagnosed and repaired with an arthroscopy procedure, which is typically associated with a shorter recovery and downtime, so you can get back to your activities sooner – without pain or discomfort.
Improved Range of Motion
Many shoulder conditions can lead to restricted motion and function, preventing you from doing even simple movements and activities, such as raising your arm to wash your hair or carrying shopping bags. Although physical therapy may help improve strength and stability in the shoulder, if there is significant damage to the joint or rotator cuff, it may require surgical repair to allow you to regain strength in your shoulder and utilize your full range of motion.
Greater Arm Strength
Rotator cuff injuries and other chronic shoulder conditions can lead to weakness in the arm and shoulder, preventing you from carrying out sports and other hobbies. Surgery to repair tissue, such as damaged tendons and muscles, in the shoulder can help improve strength in the shoulder, allowing you to get back to previously enjoyed activities.
Rehabilitation, such as physical therapy or occupational therapy, is typically recommended after orthopedic surgery and is an important aspect of treatment to help restore movement, strength, and function, and help prevent future injury.
Minimally Invasive Surgery for a Quicker Recovery
With advances in surgical techniques and technologies, surgery allows many types of shoulder conditions to be treated using minimally invasive surgical methods. Arthroscopy is considered a very safe procedure, and complications are rare. The procedure offers a more streamlined approach to shoulder surgery than traditional open surgery and allows the surgeon to see inside the joint without making a large incision. Some types of joint damage can be repaired during arthroscopy, using small highly specialized surgical instruments, which are inserted through small incisions. When compared with traditional open surgery, arthroscopic shoulder surgery offers many advantages, including:
- Less tissue damage
- Less blood loss
- Reduced pain
- Decreased risk of infection
- Shorter recovery period and healing time
Shoulder Surgeon Near Mein Fort Lauderdale, Florida
If you have ongoing pain or reduced motion in your shoulder and would like to discuss your treatment options, contact Paul Meli Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Meli uses the latest, most advanced surgical and nonsurgical techniques and has extensive experience treating a wide variety of orthopedic injuries and conditions.
To learn more about our services or to schedule a consultation, call (954) 324-7711. Alternatively, you can use our online form to request an appointment.
