Diagnostic Shoulder Arthroscopy

Indications for Surgery

Patients that have continued shoulder pain after failure of conservative treatment may benefit from arthroscopy. Arthroscopy allows Dr. Chudik to see inside the shoulder and better evaluate what may be the source of continued pain and symptoms. Dr. Chudik recommends diagnostic arthroscopy to patients that have failed conservative treatment including physical therapy, injections, activity modification, and rest. Patients with a history, signs or symptoms consistent with a treatable pathology, and when the MRI is not diagnostic and/or fails to reveal the pathology may be candidates for diagnostic arthroscopy. MRI scans are accurate but even the best quality MRI has a false negative rate and it may fail to show abnormalities that exist in the shoulder. Common pathologies missed by MRIs may include symptomatic labral tears, partial thickness rotator cuff tears, and cartilage injuries. After assisting with the diagnosis, Dr. Chudik can use arthroscopy and special arthroscopic instruments to remedy the problem.

Contraindications to Surgery

• Infection of the shoulder
• Inability or unwillingness to complete an appropriate postoperative rehabilitation program •
• Diffuse, advanced arthritis