How Is Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery Different From Open Surgery?

Shoulder joint damage makes it impossible for you to fully use your arms and torso. After an injury, sometimes surgery is your best bet for keeping your shoulder joint functioning optimally.

Whether your shoulder joint issues follow an injury or trauma or result from repetitive use and wear-and-tear, the orthopedic experts at Twin Palm Orthopedics can use state-of-the-art surgical techniques to make repairs.

Our team takes the best approach possible for your treatment, minimizing invasiveness and maximizing the future stability and range of motion of your shoulder joint. We provide arthroscopic shoulder surgery and traditional open shoulder surgery from our location in Ocala, Florida.

Understanding arthroscopic surgery

Shoulder arthroscopy is an exciting technique for minimally invasive shoulder joint treatment and restoration. The procedure has been in use since the 1970s.

With arthroscopy, an arthroscopic camera acts as a set of enhanced eyes for our team, allowing us to operate on and around your shoulder joint without a large incision. The magnifying lenses in the camera enhance the image displayed on a monitor during your procedure.

Our team at Twin Palm Orthopedics can use this type of procedure for many shoulder issues, including minor rotator cuff repair, labrum repair, ligament repair, and inflamed tissue removal.

Key differences between arthroscopy and open surgery

Traditional open surgery uses a larger incision created by a scalpel to access your shoulder joint. After surgery, the incision is closed with sutures. For procedures, like shoulder fracture repair, large rotator cuff repairs, nerve release, or cyst excision, you might need open shoulder surgery.

Open surgery comes with some risks of infection, and you should plan on 1-2 nights in the hospital for recovery. Due to the larger incision, open surgery takes longer to recover from than arthroscopic surgery.

Shoulder arthroscopy only requires very small incisions, reducing surgical risks and post-procedure recovery time. That also means less post-surgery scarring.

However, you should also know that, statistically speaking, you have a higher chance of post-surgery recurrence with arthroscopic surgery than with traditional open surgery. That could be a key consideration for your shoulder treatment planning, especially if you want to get back into active sports or athletic competition.

The right shoulder surgery for you

Both shoulder arthroscopy and open surgery offer benefits and drawbacks. The right shoulder surgery for you depends on factors like your symptoms, health history, shoulder condition, and future activity goals.

Our team at Twin Palm Orthopedics discusses your shoulder restoration treatment plan with you, helping you understand why one type of procedure or the other could be better for you. We help you prepare for your procedure and ensure you have realistic expectations about your post-surgery recovery.

For expert, comprehensive support with shoulder joint degeneration, injury, and dysfunction, contact our team at Twin Palm Orthopedics today. With our full range of surgical and non-surgical treatment options, you can fully recover the use of your shoulder.

Schedule your initial consultation appointment with our experienced providers by going online, or call us now to book.