Wave Goodbye to Shoulder Pain With Arthroscopy

When swinging a golf club, grabbing your surfboard, or reaching for the top shelf in your pantry makes you grimace in pain, it’s time to find a solution.

You may not think you need surgery, but when conservative treatments fail, it’s an excellent option, and today’s minimally invasive arthroscopic shoulder surgery is a game-changer. 

Dr. Thomas Kane, III, MD, at Kane Orthopedic Institute offers this advanced shoulder surgery to patients throughout Honolulu, Hawaii. With this innovative and precise procedure, he diagnoses and treats shoulder issues faster than with open surgery.

Shoulder arthroscopy 101

Shoulder arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that uses a tiny camera called an arthroscope to look inside your shoulder joint. Unlike traditional surgery, it requires only small incisions, which means less pain and quicker recovery for you. The arthroscope sends images to a monitor, allowing Dr. Kane to guide miniature instruments to repair your joint.

If you have persistent shoulder pain and nonsurgical treatments haven’t worked, shoulder arthroscopy might be your answer. This procedure treats conditions like rotator cuff tears, shoulder instability, and cartilage damage. 

Unique benefits of shoulder arthroscopy

Traditional open surgery requires long incisions and creates more tissue damage. Arthroscopy, on the other hand, is a sleeker procedure with several benefits compared with open surgery.

Less pain and faster recovery

Because the procedure is minimally invasive, it results in less tissue damage, so you’ll have less post-operative pain and can return to your regular activities sooner.

Lower risk of infection

Traditional open surgeries have a higher risk of infection due to the larger incisions. With shoulder arthroscopy, the smaller incisions mean fewer opportunities for bacteria to enter, making it a safer option.

More precise

The arthroscope provides a magnified view of your shoulder joint, allowing Dr. Kane to be ultra-precise during surgery. This level of detail helps him perform complex repairs that might be challenging or impossible with open surgery.

Common myths about shoulder arthroscopy

Many people don’t understand arthroscopy and assume it’s not for them. On the contrary, it’s well-suited to most people and many conditions. Here are some common misunderstandings we hear about shoulder arthroscopy.

It’s only for athletes

While athletes often undergo shoulder arthroscopy, this procedure isn’t exclusive to them. Anyone experiencing shoulder pain that interferes with daily life can benefit from it. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or someone dealing with shoulder pain from everyday activities, arthroscopy could be the solution you need.

It’s risky

Every surgery comes with risks, but shoulder arthroscopy is generally considered safe. The minimally invasive nature of the procedure reduces the risk of complications, and most patients experience a smooth recovery. 

It’s a last resort

Surgery isn’t usually a first-line treatment, but that doesn’t mean it never is. Sometimes, it’s the best option for a full recovery, like when you have damaged tissues that won’t heal on their own. 

Don’t grimace through life with chronic shoulder pain — call Kane Orthopedic Institute in Honolulu, Hawaii, or request an appointment online to discover whether shoulder arthroscopy can fix your painful joint.