Many common shoulder conditions that are unresponsive to conservative therapy may require surgical treatment.
These surgical procedures can range from minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures involving a scope and surgical tools being inserted via keyhole incisions into the shoulder to traditional open surgeries.
Every shoulder surgery technique has its benefits, limitations, and appropriate uses. Thomas and Bigler Knee and Shoulder Institute, led by prudent board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven C. Thomas and Dr. Gregory T. Bigler, provides orthopedic treatments to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, and surrounding locations in The Silver State.
Arthroscopy for Impingement Syndrome
Impingement syndrome refers to rotator cuff tendonitis and bursitis. In this condition, the arthroscopic procedure is used to treat impingement (subacromial decompression). This surgery aims to increase the space between the rotator cuff and the shoulder’s top part (called the acromion).
In performing subacromial decompression, the surgeon may excise the bursa alone or some of the acromion undersurfaces. This will create space for the rotator cuff to move without getting impinged between the bone.
Arthroscopic SLAP Repair
A SLAP tear refers to an injury to the rim of cartilage encircling the shoulder socket or the labrum.
An arthroscopic procedure may be performed to restore the labrum back to its appropriate position at the shoulder socket’s rim. The surgeon will fix the bone to the cartilage with sutures after the repositioning. The patient may require additional surgery if the damage encompasses the biceps tendon.
Arthroscopy for Shoulder Dislocation
A shoulder dislocation injury involves the ball of the shoulder joint moving out of the socket.
The damage typically occurs at the labrum in young athletes. A surgery known as a Bankart repair can reattach the labrum to the joint capsule in place to treat this condition.
Multidirectional instability is a condition involving the generalized laxity of the shoulder ligaments. This makes the shoulder joint prone to moving n and out of the socket quite readily. In such cases, the joint capsule is tightened surgically.
Arthroscopy for Frozen Shoulder
The capsule surrounding the shoulder joint becomes constricted and tight in a condition known as frozen shoulder. The objective of the surgery is to make the contracted tissue looser and enable the shoulder to move smoothly.
The surgeon achieves this by cutting the capsule around the ball of the shoulder. This is a technically challenging procedure as space within the joint is very tight.
Rotator Cuff Repairs
The surgery aims to identify the damaged area of the rotator cuff and to clean and reconnect any damaged or torn tendons. After locating the healthy tissue, the surgeon will employ multiple techniques to treat the tendon without stretching the remaining tissues excessively.
Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Repairs
The acromioclavicular joint, commonly called the AC joint, is the point at the end of the collarbone (clavicle) and acromion. Various problems can develop at the AC joint. The patient may undergo an open surgery to remove the end of the clavicle and widen the AC joint space.
In general, shoulder separation can be addressed nonsurgically. However, severe cases may warrant surgical intervention to reconstruct or repair the ligaments that support the end of the collarbone.
Kind board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Thomas and Dr. Bigler receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada and other towns and cities in this region of the southwest for orthopedic treatments. If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about the Knee and Shoulder Institute procedures & treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada board-certified surgeons Steven C. Thomas, MD and Gregory T. Bigler, MD. Contact the office today click here.