Shoulder arthroscopy offers a surgeon the chance to diagnose and treat during a single, minimally invasive procedure that’s not just for rotator cuff injuries and frozen shoulder anymore.
Dr. Struan Coleman’s vast experience in the realm of sports medicine allows him to think creatively when it comes to solving his patients’ orthopedic issues, relieving their pain, and restoring their ability to move and function.
Dr. Coleman finds that the shoulder arthroscopy procedure ideally addresses biceps tendon disease, which occurs when your upper biceps tendon tears or becomes inflamed. The biceps tendon is a long and sturdy band (aka long head) that joins the biceps muscle to your shoulder bones.
Weakness, pain in the front of your shoulder, and swelling and bruising of the elbow and forearm are typical symptoms of biceps tendinitis, as is an inability to rotate your palm from an upward-facing position to downward-facing.
When conservative treatments don’t work and pain worsens, surgery is required.
Shoulder arthroscopy, explained
During shoulder arthroscopy, Dr. Coleman makes several small keyhole incisions in your shoulder area, which allow him to insert a state-of-the-art fiber-optic camera — the arthroscope — and closely investigate the damage in your bone, cartilage, tendons, and muscle — whether caused by injury or wear and tear.
The second part of the procedure is the reparative phase. Dr. Coleman may choose to perform a tenotomy, where he releases the tendon, or a tenodesis, in which he reattaches and repositions the tendon. He might also remove bone fragments or mend a torn muscle.
Can shoulder arthroscopy really treat biceps tendon disease?
We’ve seen great success with shoulder arthroscopy as a viable biceps tendon disease solution, and continue to recommend it for eligible patients.
If you’re suffering with unabated biceps inflammation and accompanying pain due to an injury, or repetitive use-related damage that may have led to a biceps tendon tear at shoulder, shoulder arthroscopy offers multiple benefits:
- Less physical trauma than open surgery
- Usually an outpatient procedure
- A recovery window that’s typically six weeks or more, depending on the problem
- An easier, less complicated healing process
We consistently see patients return to a full range of motion and greater ease of movement after shoulder arthroscopy.
What happens after arthroscopic surgery to address biceps tendon disease?
After surgery, we send you home with a compression garment or bandages to protect your incisions and promote your internal and external healing. We encourage resting at home for the first few days post-surgery, and ask that you refrain from any heavy lifting or significant exertion for a few weeks.
Dr. Coleman has you complete a course of physical therapy to enhance your healing and complement the surgery, so you can gradually build up your strength and work toward recovering the range of motion you were born with, or as close to it as possible.
Everyone’s recovery journey is different, and depends on the exact surgical corrections that Dr. Struan makes, but our entire team is here to make your healing process as quick and efficient as possible.
Pursue shoulder arthroscopy to remedy your biceps tendon disease
Pain and movement limitations caused by biceps tendon disease can be life-altering. Call one of our three offices or book an appointment online to see if you’re a candidate for shoulder arthroscopy.