Shoulder Arthroscopy Singapore | Keyhole Shoulder Surgery

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Overview

What Is Shoulder Arthroscopy?
Benefits of Shoulder Arthroscopy
What Can Shoulder Arthroscopy Diagnose?
What Does Shoulder Arthroscopy Treat?
Common Types of Shoulder Arthroscopy
Who Is a Suitable Candidate for Shoulder Arthroscopy?
How Is Shoulder Arthroscopy Performed?
What to Expect Before and After Shoulder Arthroscopy
Risks of Shoulder Arthroscopy

What Is Shoulder Arthroscopy?

Shoulder arthroscopy is a surgical technique that uses a small camera (arthroscope) to examine and treat problems inside the shoulder joint. The procedure involves making tiny incisions, through which the arthroscope and specialised surgical instruments are inserted.

The camera projects high-definition images onto a monitor, allowing the surgeon to visualize and repair damaged tissues with precision. Compared to traditional open surgery, shoulder arthroscopy is less invasive, results in smaller scars, and typically leads to a faster recovery.

Benefits of Shoulder Arthroscopy

Shoulder arthroscopy offers several advantages, making it a preferred choice for addressing shoulder issues. Some key benefits include:

Minimally Invasive: Small incisions reduce trauma to surrounding tissues.
Faster Recovery: Patients often experience quicker healing and return to daily activities sooner.
Less Post-Operative Pain: The smaller incisions result in reduced pain and discomfort compared to open surgery.
Lower Risk of Complications: A reduced risk of infections and complications due to the minimally invasive nature of the procedure.
Improved Diagnostic Accuracy: The high-definition camera provides clear visualization of the shoulder joint, enabling precise diagnosis and treatment.

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What Can Shoulder Arthroscopy Diagnose?

What Can Shoulder Arthroscopy Diagnose?

Shoulder arthroscopy is an excellent diagnostic tool for identifying various shoulder conditions. Some common diagnoses include:

Rotator Cuff Tears: Damage to the tendons that stabilize the shoulder
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: A condition where shoulder tendons are compressed
Labral Tears (SLAP Tears): Damage to the cartilage rim around the shoulder socket
Shoulder Instability: Recurrent dislocations or looseness of the joint
Biceps Tendonitis or Tears: Inflammation or tearing of the biceps tendon
Cartilage Damage or Arthritis: Evaluation of cartilage wear and tear inside the joint

What Does Shoulder Arthroscopy Treat?

Shoulder arthroscopy is used not only for diagnosis but also for treating various shoulder conditions, including:

Rotator Cuff Repair: Reattaching torn rotator cuff tendons to the bone
Labral Repair: Fixing torn labrum tissue to restore shoulder stability
Bone Spur Removal: Removing bony overgrowths causing impingement
Shoulder Stabilization: Tightening loose ligaments to prevent dislocations
Biceps Tendon Surgery: Repairing or repositioning a damaged biceps tendon
Synovectomy: Removing inflamed synovial tissue to reduce pain and stiffness

What Does Shoulder Arthroscopy Treat?

Common Types of Shoulder Arthroscopy

There are different types of shoulder arthroscopic procedures, depending on the condition being treated. Some of the most common types include:

Rotator Cuff Repair: Suturing torn tendons of the rotator cuff
Labrum Repair (SLAP Repair): Reattaching the torn labrum to the socket
Subacromial Decompression: Removing bone spurs and inflamed tissue to relieve impingement

Shoulder Stabilization Surgery: Tightening ligaments to prevent recurrent dislocations
Biceps Tenodesis or Tenotomy: Repairing or detaching the biceps tendon to relieve pain
Cartilage Restoration: Smoothing or repairing damaged cartilage to reduce pain and improve function

Who Is a Suitable Candidate for Shoulder Arthroscopy?

Patients with persistent shoulder pain or mobility issues that do not respond to non-surgical treatments may be candidates for shoulder arthroscopy. Suitable candidates often include:

Individuals with rotator cuff tears or impingement syndrome
Athletes with shoulder instability or recurrent dislocations
Patients with labral tears or SLAP lesions
Those with chronic shoulder pain due to cartilage damage
People experiencing biceps tendon injuries or inflammation
Patients who have failed to improve with physiotherapy and medications

A consultation with an orthopaedic surgeon is essential to determine if shoulder arthroscopy is the appropriate treatment based on the patient's specific condition.

Who Is a Suitable Candidate for Shoulder Arthroscopy?

How Is Shoulder Arthroscopy Performed?

How Is Shoulder Arthroscopy Performed?

Shoulder arthroscopy is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia or regional nerve block. The steps involved include:

Preparation – The shoulder is sterilized, and anesthesia is administered
Incision and Camera Insertion – Small incisions are made, and the arthroscope is inserted
Examination and Treatment – The surgeon assesses the joint and performs necessary repairs using specialised instruments
Closure and Bandaging – The incisions are closed with sutures or surgical tape and bandaged
Recovery – The patient is monitored post-operatively before being discharged with rehabilitation guidelines

What to Expect Before and After Shoulder Arthroscopy

Before Surgery

After Surgery

Before Surgery

A consultation will include imaging tests such as MRI or X-ray to assess the shoulder condition
Patients may need to stop certain medications before surgery
Instructions will be given regarding fasting before anaesthesia

Risks of Shoulder Arthroscopy

Risks of Shoulder Arthroscopy

Although shoulder arthroscopy is a safe procedure, potential risks include:

Infection – Though rare, infections can occur at incision sites
Nerve or Blood Vessel Injury – Uncommon but possible complications
Stiffness and Weakness – Some patients may experience prolonged stiffness or weakness
Blood Clots – Rare but can develop post-surgery
Incomplete Symptom Relief – In some cases, additional treatments may be needed

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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Shoulder arthroscopy usually lasts between 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on the complexity of the procedure.

Yes, most patients need to wear a sling for 2–6 weeks to protect the repaired structures and support healing. The duration depends on the type of surgery performed.

Patients with desk jobs can often return within a few days, while those with physically demanding jobs may need 6–12 weeks before resuming full activities, depending on recovery progress.

In some cases, early intervention with arthroscopy can help delay or prevent the need for a shoulder replacement by addressing issues before they become severe.

The incisions made are small, usually a few millimeters in length, and heal well over time. Most patients have minimal scarring that fades significantly within months.

Patients can usually resume driving within 2–4 weeks, provided they have regained sufficient shoulder mobility, strength, and are no longer taking strong pain medications.