Shoulder pain is something that many people live with for quite some time, as they fear the surgical alternative to the pain.
Fortunately, today’s shoulder surgery options are relatively non-invasive and can provide many years of reduced pain and improved quality of life.
Here’s how to tell if you’re a good candidate for shoulder surgery.
When to Consider Surgery
If pain is negatively affecting your daily life or is severe, your doctor may recommend that you consider shoulder surgery. Rotator cuff surgery is the most common form of shoulder surgery, and good candidates:
- Have a relatively recent injury or tear
- Only one tendon is injured
- The tear in your rotator cuff is less than two inches
- You have been suffering from the pain of your shoulder injury for several months or more
- You have tried other treatment options such as oral or injected steroids with only limited success
You may not be a good candidate for surgery if you are over the age of 65, you are suffering from degeneration of the muscles or ligaments or if your muscle tissue is weak.
Surgeons also tend to limit this elective surgery if the patient is ill or has some type of more aggressive infection.
Shoulder surgery is generally performed arthroscopically with several tiny incisions or through a larger 2-3 inch incision.
You should expect to stay in the hospital for a short time during healing, as general anesthesia may be needed.
