✦ Keyhole Shoulder Surgery

Shoulder Arthroscopy

Q: What conditions can shoulder arthroscopy diagnose and treat?

Shoulder arthroscopy addresses rotator cuff tears, labral tears, Bankart lesions, SLAP tears, biceps pathology, shoulder instability, impingement, loose bodies, adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), and synovitis — often treating multiple pathologies simultaneously.

Q: Can shoulder arthroscopy be performed as a day case?

Yes — the overwhelming majority of shoulder arthroscopic procedures are performed as day-case surgery. Patients arrive in the morning, undergo the procedure under anaesthesia, and go home the same afternoon with clear post-operative instructions.

Q: How long does recovery from shoulder arthroscopy take?

Recovery duration depends on the specific procedure. Following subacromial decompression, return to activity takes 4–6 weeks. After labral repair or rotator cuff repair, a progressive 3–6 month rehabilitation programme is required for full functional recovery.

Q: What is the difference between glenohumeral and subacromial arthroscopy?

Glenohumeral arthroscopy examines the inside of the ball-and-socket joint. Subacromial arthroscopy assesses the space above the rotator cuff. In clinical practice, both areas are inspected and treated in the same session when indicated.

A tiny camera introduced into the shoulder through small incisions provides live visualisation of the entire joint — enabling accurate diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of conditions that previously required open surgery.

30–90 min PROCEDURE

Day Care HOSPITAL STAY

>90% SUCCESS RATE

6–16 Weeks FULL RECOVERY

What is Shoulder Arthroscopy?

Shoulder arthroscopy uses a fibre-optic camera — inserted through a small posterior incision — to display every structure within the glenohumeral joint and subacromial space on a high-definition screen. Additional instrument portals allow simultaneous surgical treatment of any pathology identified. In a single arthroscopic session, multiple conditions can be assessed and addressed — including rotator cuff tears, labral detachments, biceps lesions, impingement, synovitis, and cartilage damage. Dr. Sai Kishan performs shoulder arthroscopy at Lux Hospitals as both a primary diagnostic tool and the delivery platform for the full range of shoulder surgical procedures.

Indicated for patients with shoulder pain, weakness, instability, or restricted movement where clinical assessment and imaging suggest intra-articular or subacromial pathology that warrants either definitive arthroscopic treatment or diagnostic confirmation when imaging findings are inconclusive.

How the Procedure Works

Anaesthesia & Access Planning

General or interscalene block; beach-chair or lateral decubitus position; portal sites are marked for glenohumeral and subacromial access.

Portal Placement & Camera Introduction

Standard posterior and anterior portals are established; the arthroscope is introduced and the joint survey begins.

Systematic Joint Assessment

Labrum, rotator cuff tendons, biceps anchor, articular cartilage, capsular ligaments, and glenohumeral joint surfaces are inspected in sequence.

Subacromial Space Assessment

The arthroscope is repositioned into the subacromial space; the bursa and acromion are assessed and treated if impingement or bursitis is found.

Treatment & Closure

All identified pathology is treated in the same session; portals are closed and a sling or dressing applied according to the procedure performed.

Outcomes

30–90 minDURATION

Day CaseHOSPITAL STAY

>90%SUCCESS RATE

6–16 WeeksRETURN TO SPORT

Who Needs This Treatment?

→Live direct visualisation of all shoulder structures in real time
→Multiple conditions identified and treated through the same tiny portals
→Minimally invasive — no large incisions, no significant scarring, fast recovery
→Day-case procedure — the patient returns home on the same day as surgery
→Eliminates open shoulder surgery for the vast majority of shoulder conditions
→Higher diagnostic accuracy than imaging alone — reveals pathology missed on MRI

Shoulder arthroscopy has transformed the entire field of shoulder surgery. Conditions that once required a week in hospital after a large open incision are now consistently managed as day-case procedures with genuinely outstanding results.

— — Dr. Sai Kishan Sirasala, Knee and Hip Joint Replacement & Robotic Surgery

Common Questions

Frequently Asked

What conditions can shoulder arthroscopy diagnose and treat?+

Can shoulder arthroscopy be performed as a day case?+

How long does recovery from shoulder arthroscopy take?+

What is the difference between glenohumeral and subacromial arthroscopy?+

Not sure which treatment is right for you?

Book a consultation with Dr. Sai Kishan and get a personalised treatment plan.

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