What is shoulder arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy, or keyhole surgery, refers to minimally invasive techniques to treat various causes of joint pain. Arthroscopy and be employed in many joints in the body, including the wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle. Sports medicine surgeons like Dr. Fournier use the arthroscope, which is a special camera about the size of a pencil, to identify and treat injuries.

Dr. Fournier specializes in treating rotator cuff tears, labral injuries, shoulder dislocation, biceps tendonitis, AC joint injuries, and arthritis of the AC and shoulder joints. Cutting edge technology is used to give patients with shoulder problems back their quality of life.

Who can benefit from arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy can be used to effectively treat many different kinds of injuries all over the body. The list below describes just a few of the many injuries Dr. Fournier can treat to relieve pain and restore function.

• Shoulder

  • Tendinitis

  • Cartilage injuries

  • Instability

  • Labral tears

  • Inflammation

• Hip

  • Labral tears

  • Femoroacetabular impingement

  • Cartilage damage

  • Arthritis

• Knee

  • Meniscus tears

  • ACL and ligament tears

  • Cartilage damage

  • Arthritis

  • Stiffness

  • Kneecap pain and instability

Why is it called sports medicine?

Sports medicine is a term that has come to encompass the minimally invasive treatment of the above injuries. Many of these injuries are sustained during sports, but the benefit of sports medicine can be applied to patients young and old and of all activity levels

Why should I choose arthroscopic surgery over conventional open procedures?

In general, sports medicine arthroscopy procedures are able to be done as an outpatient. They also feature small incisions that reduce the risk of infection and complications while patients heal. Sports medicine experts like Dr. Fournier can accomplish most goals without making an incision bigger than an inch.

How do I prepare for arthroscopic surgery?

Do not eat or drink any liquids for 8 hours prior to any procedure

• You may need to stop medications (blood thinners) that increase the risk of bleeding after a procedure

• Inform your care team of any relevant allergies

• Have a friend or family member available for transportation and to look after you for the first few days after surgery

• Make sure to tell your surgeon if you’ve had any relevant changes in your medical history

What should I expect during the procedure?

Generally speaking, these procedure take place under regional or general anesthesia. You will likely be asleep for the entire procedure, and you won’t have any memory of the surgery or the pain associated with it. Arthroscopy utilizes sterile surgical fluid to visualize the joint structures, and it’s not uncommon to be swollen for 24-48 hours after. Dr. Fournier will use specialized instruments to accomplish the goals of the operation, and you will wake up in the recovery area with a clean surgical dressing in place.