Shoulder Injury
Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle (OSS) physicians see and treat patients who suffer from a variety of shoulder problems, including shoulder arthritis, rotator cuff tears, and more.
Shoulder pain is one of the most common symptoms that lead patients to seek out a surgeon, particularly because of its ability to travel to other parts of the body, such as the elbow or neck.
While a wide range of shoulder-related medical conditions may be successfully treated with conservative methods, such as rehabilitation, corticosteroid injections and anti-inflammatory medication, other conditions typically require surgery, including:
- Rotator cuff tears, impingement, tendinitis, or arthritis
- Shoulder arthritis
- Shoulder dislocations or instability
- Shoulder separation
What are the types of shoulder surgeries?
Shoulder surgery may be performed as an open procedure or as a minimally invasive arthroscopic procedure.
Prior to performing any surgery, the surgeon will need to perform a complete physical exam and will perform diagnostics tests, including special X-rays, a CT or MRI scan, and will work with a physical therapist to create a recovery plan for the patient.
Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery
Arthroscopy involves inserting a small camera and tiny instruments through tiny incisions to enable the surgeon to view, diagnose and repair the shoulder joint and surrounding ligaments and tissues using the latest minimally invasive techniques. An outpatient procedure, arthroscopy minimizes trauma to the shoulder and surrounding structures, decreases post-operative pain and allows for faster recovery.
Shoulder Replacement Surgery
Both standard shoulder replacements and reverse shoulder replacements are performed at SOC. Many shoulder replacement surgery patients resume a high level of activity after their surgeries.
Open Surgery
Open shoulder surgery may be needed for some cases where there is an extensive injury or if the structures inside the joint are severely damaged. This surgery can be done with a few small incisions. For some injuries, open surgery is associated with better results than arthroscopy.
Open surgery technique uses larger incisions than arthroscopy to allow the surgeon to mobilize retracted tissues. Our orthopedic specialists will recommend the procedure that is best for you.
