Shoulder surgery

Shoulder Surgery

Shoulder surgery (/ˈʃoʊldər ˈsɜːrdʒəri/) is a surgical procedure performed to repair the structures that are damaged in or around the shoulder, including the bones, joint, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. The etymology of the term "surgery" comes from the Old French surgery, or cirurgie, meaning "hand work".

Types of Shoulder Surgery

There are several types of shoulder surgeries, including:

Arthroscopy - This is a minimally invasive surgical procedure on a joint in which an examination and sometimes treatment of damage is performed using an arthroscope.
Rotator Cuff Repair - This is a type of surgery to repair a torn tendon in the shoulder. The procedure can be done with a large (open) incision or with shoulder arthroscopy, which uses smaller incisions.
Shoulder Replacement - This involves removing damaged parts of the shoulder and replacing them with artificial components, called a prosthesis.

Indications for Shoulder Surgery

Shoulder surgery may be recommended for conditions such as:

Rotator Cuff Tear - This is a tear of one or more of the tendons of the four rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder.
Shoulder Impingement - This occurs when the top of the shoulder blade (acromion) puts pressure on the underlying soft tissues when the arm is lifted away from the body.
Shoulder Instability - This is a chronic condition that causes frequent dislocations of the shoulder.

Risks and Complications

As with any surgery, shoulder surgery carries potential risks and complications, including:

Infection - This can occur at the site of the incision.
Nerve Damage - This can result in numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arm or hand.
Stiffness - This can occur if the shoulder is not moved enough after surgery.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

After shoulder surgery, patients typically undergo a period of physical therapy to restore strength and mobility to the shoulder. This may include exercises to improve range of motion, strength training, and functional training to help patients return to their normal activities.