Shoulder · Joints, stiffness & other
Shoulder arthroscopy & debridement
Shoulder Impingement, Bursitis, and AC Joint Arthritis — Arthroscopic Debridement
The condition
Several problems can cause shoulder pain without a tear that needs repair: impingement and bursitis (bone spurs and an inflamed cushion pinching the rotator cuff), arthritis at the end of the collarbone (the AC joint), frayed tissue, and loose fragments. They cause pain with reaching, overhead use, and sleep.
The surgery
Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive, typically outpatient surgery done through small incisions with a camera and small instruments. Depending on what is found, your surgeon may clean up frayed or inflamed tissue (debridement), remove bone spurs, trim the end of the collarbone, and remove loose fragments.
Recovery at a glance
- Sling
- For comfort only—typically a few days. Come out of it as soon as you are comfortable; there are no motion restrictions.
- Daily life
- Motion exercises start the day of or the day after surgery. Desk work often within the first week. No driving while taking narcotic pain medication.
- Lifting & overhead
- Full motion is expected by 3–6 weeks. Light strengthening starts ~3 weeks, with weight training from 6 weeks as tolerated.
- Sports
- Full return to work and sports typically ~3 months, once strength matches the other side.
A general guide. Your restrictions and timeline may change based on what is found and done at surgery.
Risks & benefits
Benefits: Most patients have less pain and better motion and function. Risks are uncommon and include infection, blood clots, incomplete pain relief or return of symptoms, findings that require a repair (which would change your recovery), injury to nearby structures (such as nerves, blood vessels, or cartilage), stiffness, persistent pain, and the need for further surgery. These will be reviewed with you in detail before surgery.
Patient Surgical Information
Open, save or print. Bring your questions to your pre-op visit.
Before & after every surgery