Arthroscopy uses a pencil-thin camera and instruments through small incisions to see and treat the inside of the shoulder joint and the space above it.
Common procedures include removing a bone spur that pinches the cuff, cleaning inflamed tissue, releasing a frozen capsule, removing loose fragments, and biceps tenodesis for a frayed biceps tendon.
Arthroscopy fits patients whose shoulder pain has a mechanical cause that has not responded to therapy and injections, and patients who need a definitive look when imaging and exam disagree.It is also the way rotator cuff and labral repairs are performed; those are described on their own pages.
Shoulder Arthroscopy
What to Expect
Outpatient surgery, typically forty-five to ninety minutes under general anesthesia with a nerve block.Home the same day with a sling for comfort.Your surgeon reviews the arthroscopic photographs with you at follow-up.A quick outpatient procedure at a Provo or Orem surgery center, with the photographs reviewed at your follow-up in clinic. Dr. Taylor, Dr. Christensen, Dr. Carlson and Dr. Wallentine operate at Utah Valley Hospital and American Fork Hospital.
Shoulder Arthroscopy
Recovery Timeline
For debridement, decompression and release procedures, the sling comes off within days and motion starts immediately.Desk work in a few days, driving within a week, and most activity by six to twelve weeks.When tendons are repaired or reattached, recovery follows the longer timeline on that procedure page.
Milestones
Days 1 to 3Sling for comfort only
Week 1Desk work, driving
Week 6Most activity
Week 12Unrestricted
Shoulder Arthroscopy
Risks and Considerations
Stiffness, swelling and temporary numbness around the incisions are the common issues.Infection, nerve injury and blood clots are rare.If arthritis is found at surgery that was not visible on imaging, arthroscopy may relieve some symptoms but will not cure the joint, and your surgeon will say so.
Shoulder Arthroscopy
Your Surgeons
Dr. Taylor, Dr. Christensen, Dr. Carlson and Dr. Wallentine perform this procedure at Surgery Partners Provo, Spanish Fork Hospital, Central Utah Surgical Center, Timpanogos Regional Hospital, Mountain View Hospital and Intermountain Health Surgery Center Saratoga Springs.
Andrews Institute sports medicine fellowship under Dr. James Andrews. Board certified in orthopedic surgery and orthopedic sports medicine. Fluent in Spanish.
ContactTalk toa real person.Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.
