Shoulder Arthroscopy

At Welbeck, shoulder arthroscopy is carried out under general anaesthetic by our consultant orthopaedic surgeons. 

This is a minimally invasive procedure where a camera is inserted into a small cut in your skin. You can expect the following:

1. You’ll be asked to lie on your side.

2. Then, you’ll be given an anaesthetic injection, which means you’ll be put to sleep during the procedure and won’t feel any pain.

3. Your surgeon will then shave any hair around the area (if needed) and clean your skin with an antiseptic solution.

4. Your surgeon will inject fluid into your shoulder to inflate the joint and make it easier for them to see.

5. Next, your surgeon will make a small cut (about the size of a buttonhole) in your shoulder and insert a tiny camera into it, which will show images of your shoulder via a video screen, helping your surgeon find the problem area.

6. Your surgeon will then make other small cuts in your shoulder and insert tiny instruments, remove small pieces of bone that may be trapped or are affecting the joint, like bone spurs, smooth the surface of your joints, get rid of inflamed tissue, or repair parts of joints that may be damaged.

7. Once this procedure is finished, the cuts will be closed with stitches or small bandages.

Shoulder arthroscopy is generally very safe, but as with all types of surgery, there’s a small chance of side effects, such as:

• blood clots

• damage to blood vessels or nerves

• numbness

• bleeding or swelling

• infection

Before your shoulder arthroscopy goes ahead, you’ll be made to feel as comfortable as possible. 

Your consultant will talk you through the plan for surgery and any risks and benefits, along with medicines to stop taking before your procedure, and how long you’ll need to fast beforehand.

You’ll also need to shower before the procedure to make sure the area is clean.

At Welbeck, shoulder arthroscopy is performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home on the same day. You’ll need to be monitored for a few hours after your procedure, but once the anaesthetic has worn off, you’ll be able to leave the clinic.

It can take up to 6 weeks to recover fully, and you’ll need to wear a sling to support your arm for the first few weeks of your recovery.

Please contact our Surgery Centre for pricing information.

At Welbeck, our orthopaedic surgeons are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

To book a shoulder arthroscopy, you must be referred by either your GP or an orthopaedic specialist following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this treatment.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with an orthopedist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.