Are You Worried About Shoulder Pain?
The shoulder is a crucial joint used for work, play, sports, and everything in between. Daily use of the joint can lead to shoulder pain, which can become chronic. Shoulder pain of this magnitude can be debilitating, impacting the quality of life. There are different reasons for shoulder pain, but a common cause is an impingement of the joint. While this condition can be serious, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) can help provide long-term shoulder pain relief.
Understanding impingement
Shoulder impingement, as the name implies, is a block, pinch, or compression of the joint. The shoulder consists of the rotator cuff, a collection of ligaments and muscles that cover the joint. A tendon or subacromial bursa can become loose and caught in the joint when raising the shoulder. The condition can cause pain, stiffness, irritation, and overall discomfort. Shoulder impingement symptoms are common when raising the shoulder overhead or after long-term use. When the issue becomes chronic, shoulder pain sufferers often visit a doctor for relief.
Beating the pinch
A pain specialist or orthopedic surgeon will review the joint and provide an effective treatment plan. Conservative, non-surgical options are often the first line of defense. The patient will try anti-inflammatory pain medications, physical therapy (PT), and rest. Immobilizing the joint for short periods can also help. Some doctors will move to corticosteroid injections or regenerative medicine, which includes platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. The treatments are quite effective for many patients, providing relief over several weeks or months. However, there are cases where non-surgical treatment fails, and surgery is the next step.
Turning to MIS
Minimally invasive shoulder surgery uses small incisions to access and treat the underlying cause of impingement, such as the ligaments or bursa. The surgeon will make an incision about the size of a buttonhole, then insert a tool called an arthroscope containing a small light and camera. This tool allows the surgeon to view the damaged joint. Additional small incisions allow the surgeon to insert surgical instruments to repair the shoulder impingement. The procedure happens with the patient under general anesthesia and takes less than 3 hours, depending on the degree of injury.
Pros and cons
Minimally invasive surgery provides a host of advantages. Patients can leave on the same day, so many impingement procedures happen at ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) or outpatient facilities. The procedure is precise and targeted, meaning smaller incisions, fewer scars, and less post-operative pain. As a result, patients generally recover faster with fewer complications like infections or bleeding. Despite the benefits, all surgical procedures come with risks. Rarely, MIS can cause infections, bleeding, nerve injury, and reduce shoulder function. The procedure is also not for all cases of shoulder impingement. Speak with a surgeon to review all the risks and benefits and determine if surgery is the best course of action.
Here's to a pain-free shoulder
When a shoulder impingement occurs, the associated pain requires treatment. If non-surgical options fail, MIS is an effective step to provide long-term relief. After a short recovery time of several weeks, most patients report a high success rate. Don't let shoulder impingement affect everyday activities. Get the necessary treatment and enjoy a pain-free life.
