The shoulder is the most flexible joint in the body, but this flexibility also makes it susceptible to instability and injury. This can cause pain, tenderness, weakness, instability, and limitation of movement in the shoulder joint. Doctors often need to use shoulder arthroscopy to determine more precisely what is wrong. Arthroscopy is both a diagnostic and surgical procedure.

Most shoulder operations can now be done by arthroscopy, rather than open surgery.

In this type of surgery a small camera (arthroscope) is inserted through a small incision to examine or repair the tissues inside or around your shoulder joint. Shoulder arthroscopy is used to treat and correct a number of problems in the shoulder, including: 

• Shoulder dislocations and instability
• Torn rotator cuff
• Impingement syndrome (tendinitis and bursitis)
• Osteoarthritis
• Loose bodies

Arthroscopic surgery is usually done as an outpatient procedure. If the repair is complicated or if an open surgical incision is required, the patient might need to stay in the hospital for a day or two.

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