Shoulder Surgery

Pain on top or in front of your shoulder can prevent you from taking part in routine activities, including interrupting your sleep habits. Your physician might recommend shoulder surgery if you previously had a shoulder injury or currently experience:

Infection, swelling, or bruising in your shoulder
Pain that persists despite medication
Trouble lifting objects

To create a treatment plan, your physician will gather your medical history, perform a thorough physical exam to check for swelling and bruising and recommend diagnostic tests such as X-rays, MRIs or ultrasounds to identify the problem.

How to prepare for the surgery

Avoid eating or drinking the evening before the surgery.
Notify your doctor about any prescription medications you take.
Talk to your doctor about the surgical procedure in detail and convey any concerns regarding the surgery.
Notify the healthcare staff about any allergies to drugs, analgesics or anesthetics you may have.

What to expect during your orthopedic shoulder surgery

Depending on your medical condition, your doctor may recommend any number of shoulder procedures. Shoulder problems such as ligament damage, rotator cuff tears and bone spurs can be treated through arthroscopy or open shoulder surgery.

Arthroscopy

With arthroscopy, a thin, wire-like needle is inserted into the shoulder to evaluate the connective tissue damage. The needle has a built-in camera that allows the doctor to view your shoulder’s internal condition on a monitor.

This is both a diagnostic and noninvasive corrective surgical procedure. The doctor may use other surgical equipment to operate on the shoulder connective tissues to restore their mobility and function.

Open shoulder surgery

Open shoulder surgery is a traditional, invasive surgical procedure done by an orthopedic surgeon. The surgeon numbs the body with a general anesthetic and proceeds to make an incision in the shoulder. This incision provides access to the shoulder ligaments and muscles and allows the surgeon to correct any abnormalities.

Following shoulder surgery, it’s recommended that you engage in regular light shoulder exercise and avoid any strenuous activity until you have fully recovered.

TOPS Surgical Specialty Hospital orthopedic surgeons can work with your doctor to diagnose and treat shoulder-related issues. Our advanced technology has helped us provide personalized treatment and care with favorable outcomes for hundreds of patients in the Houston area.