When the pain that you have been experiencing in your shoulder has been diagnosed with Shoulder Impingement Syndrome, and non-surgical treatment has provided no relief, your doctor may decide that surgery is the best option to recover pain-free movement. You will be referred to an experienced Glendora General Surgeon who will review your medical history, request several tests to determine the extent of your injury, discuss the operation procedure called Shoulder Arthroscopy, and explain the recovery process and timeline with you.
Day of Surgery
Shoulder Arthroscopy is normally performed as an out-patient procedure. This means that your operation will be performed in a clinic or a hospital and you will be allowed to go home within a few hours after the surgery. Depending on your age, medical condition, or other considerations, you surgeon may want you to remain in the medical facility overnight for observation. Because you will be wearing a sling to protect your shoulder, you will need to have someone with you who will drive you home.
The Surgery
An IV tube will be put into one of your veins for both antibiotic medication and anesthesia. You will be given either a general or local anesthetic, or a combination of both so that you will be asleep, or you will be very sleepy, and you will not feel any pain during the surgery. Depending on the amount of damaged tissue, your operation time will require between one to two hours.
After the Surgery
After the surgery is finished, the instruments are removed and the incisions will be closed with sutures or surgical tape. The surgeon may decide to inject an additional small amount of anesthesia into the shoulder area to reduce your postoperative pain. You will be moved to a recovery area where you will be watched carefully until you awaken. The surgeon will review your postoperative care instructions with you and provide you with written home care information regarding the care of your shoulder, any physical restrictions, guidance on physical therapy, when you can expect to return to work and normal activities, and when to schedule follow up appointments. Depending on the extent of repair work done, a full recovery may take up to six months. Without any postoperative complications, you will then be allowed to leave the facility.
