Shoulder Arthroscopy
at Aster MIMS Kannur
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, and that mobility comes at the cost of stability. Rotator cuff tears, recurrent dislocations, frozen shoulder, and impingement can each take away function and sleep. Arthroscopic shoulder surgery addresses these problems through small incisions, preserving surrounding tissue and allowing a controlled return to overhead activity. Dr. Vishnu uses suture anchor repair techniques and evidence-based instability procedures to restore function and prevent recurrence.
When does the shoulder need surgery?
The shoulder relies on a group of four muscles and tendons called the rotator cuff to keep the ball centred in the socket during movement. When the rotator cuff tears, the shoulder loses strength and becomes painful, especially at night and when reaching overhead. Small tears may respond to physiotherapy, but large or full-thickness tears that cause significant weakness or progressive pain often require surgical repair.
The other common group of shoulder problems involves instability. After a dislocation, the labrum (a cartilage rim that deepens the shoulder socket) often tears away from the bone. This Bankart lesion makes the shoulder vulnerable to repeated dislocations, especially in young patients and athletes. Each dislocation risks further damage to the labrum, cartilage, and bone. Surgical stabilisation stops the cycle of recurrence and protects the joint.
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) causes progressive stiffness and pain as the shoulder capsule thickens and contracts. While most cases resolve with physiotherapy over 12 to 18 months, refractory cases that do not respond to conservative treatment benefit from arthroscopic capsular release, which restores range of motion immediately.
Suture anchor repair
Torn rotator cuff tendons and labral tissue are reattached to bone using suture anchors placed through the arthroscope. These small implants hold the repair securely while biological healing occurs over 3 to 6 months.
Instability procedures tailored to bone loss
Arthroscopic Bankart repair is ideal when the socket bone is intact. When significant bone has been lost from repeated dislocations, the Latarjet procedure transfers a bone block to restore the socket contour and provide a muscular sling for added stability.
Capsular release for frozen shoulder
Arthroscopic release of the thickened, contracted capsule restores shoulder movement immediately. Combined with structured post-operative physiotherapy, it breaks the cycle of stiffness and pain that conservative treatment alone could not resolve.
Shoulder conditions we operate on
The two most common categories of shoulder surgery are rotator cuff pathology and shoulder instability. Dr. Vishnu treats both through arthroscopic or mini-open techniques depending on what gives the best outcome for your condition.
Rotator Cuff Tears
Full-thickness and partial-thickness tears
Arthroscopic suture anchor repair
Subacromial decompression for impingement
Calcific tendinitis excision
Shoulder Instability
Arthroscopic Bankart repair (labral reattachment)
Latarjet procedure (bone block transfer)
SLAP tear repair for overhead athletes
Multidirectional instability stabilisation
Subacromial decompression is frequently performed alongside rotator cuff repair. It removes bone spurs and inflamed tissue from the space above the cuff, reducing impingement and creating room for the repaired tendon to move freely.
Who benefits from shoulder surgery?
Shoulder surgery is recommended when conservative treatment (physiotherapy, medication, injections) has not resolved the problem, or when the condition is best addressed surgically from the outset.
Full-Thickness Cuff Tear
Complete tear of one or more rotator cuff tendons causing significant weakness, night pain, and difficulty raising the arm. Surgical repair reattaches the tendon before it retracts further and the muscle deteriorates.
Recurrent Dislocations
Two or more shoulder dislocations, or a single dislocation in a young athlete at high risk of recurrence. Surgical stabilisation (Bankart or Latarjet) stops the cycle of dislocation and prevents progressive bone and cartilage loss.
Refractory Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder that has not responded to 3 to 6 months of physiotherapy, stretching, and steroid injections. Arthroscopic capsular release restores range of motion immediately and allows rehabilitation to progress.
SLAP Tears
Tears of the superior labrum at the biceps anchor, common in overhead athletes (cricket, badminton, volleyball, swimming). Causing deep shoulder pain, clicking, and loss of throwing velocity. Repaired arthroscopically with suture anchors.
Subacromial Impingement
Bone spurs or a hooked acromion compressing the rotator cuff tendons during overhead movement, causing pain and progressive tendon damage. Arthroscopic subacromial decompression removes the impinging bone and creates space.
Calcific Tendinitis
Calcium deposits within the rotator cuff tendons causing severe, acute pain that does not resolve with conservative measures. Arthroscopic excision of the calcium deposit provides rapid pain relief and prevents recurrence.
From assessment to recovery
Assessment
A detailed clinical examination tests rotator cuff strength, shoulder stability, and range of motion. An MRI confirms the diagnosis and reveals the size of the cuff tear, the degree of bone loss in instability cases, or the extent of capsular contracture in frozen shoulder. Dr. Vishnu explains the findings, the surgical plan, and the expected recovery timeline.
Arthroscopic surgery
The procedure is performed in the beach-chair position under general anaesthesia with a regional nerve block for post-operative pain control. Three to four small incisions are made around the shoulder. The arthroscope provides a 360-degree view of the joint. The torn tendon or labrum is repaired using suture anchors. For instability with bone loss, the Latarjet procedure transfers a bone block through a small anterior incision.
Sling and early rehab
After rotator cuff repair, the arm is supported in a sling for 4 to 6 weeks to protect the repair. Gentle passive range of motion exercises (pendulums, assisted elevation) begin within the first week. After instability surgery, sling use is typically 3 to 4 weeks. After capsular release for frozen shoulder, aggressive physiotherapy begins immediately to maintain the motion gained during surgery.
Full recovery
Active movement begins at 6 weeks after cuff repair, strengthening at 3 months, and return to overhead activity at 4 to 6 months. After Bankart or Latarjet, contact sports resume at 4 to 6 months. Frozen shoulder patients typically regain functional range within 6 to 8 weeks of surgery. Dr. Vishnu guides your rehabilitation with structured milestones at each phase.
Why Aster MIMS Kannur?
Aster MIMS Kannur is an NABH-accredited multispecialty hospital with a full arthroscopy suite equipped for both knee and shoulder surgery. The orthopaedic department handles the complete spectrum of shoulder conditions, from simple impingement to complex instability with bone loss.
Book at Aster MIMSNABH Accredited
National Accreditation Board for Hospitals certification, verifying adherence to patient safety and quality standards across every department.
Full HD Arthroscopy Suite
High-definition arthroscopy system with the complete range of shoulder instruments including suture anchors, cannulas, and specialised shoulder retractors for both rotator cuff and instability procedures.
PGI Chandigarh Training
Dr. Vishnu completed his orthopaedic training at PGIMER Chandigarh, India's apex orthopaedic training institute, where shoulder arthroscopy and complex instability surgery are performed at high volume.
Post-Operative Support
WhatsApp access to the surgical team throughout recovery. Video consultations for out-of-station patients. Structured physiotherapy guidance from sling removal through return to overhead activity.
Shoulder surgery FAQ
Do all rotator cuff tears need surgery?
No. Small, partial-thickness rotator cuff tears and some full-thickness tears in low-demand patients may respond well to physiotherapy, activity modification, and anti-inflammatory treatment. Surgery is recommended when the tear is large, the patient has significant weakness or night pain, conservative treatment has failed for 3 to 6 months, or the tear is progressing in size. Dr. Vishnu evaluates each patient individually based on tear size, tendon quality, symptoms, and activity demands.
How is a rotator cuff tear repaired?
At Aster MIMS Kannur, rotator cuff tears are repaired arthroscopically through 3 to 4 small incisions. The torn tendon is reattached to the bone using suture anchors, which are small implants that hold the repair in place while the tendon heals. The procedure takes 60 to 90 minutes. Arthroscopic repair causes less pain and allows faster rehabilitation compared to open surgery while achieving equivalent healing rates.
What causes recurrent shoulder dislocations?
After a first-time shoulder dislocation, the labrum (a ring of cartilage that deepens the shoulder socket) often tears away from the bone. This is called a Bankart lesion. Without this stabilising structure, the shoulder becomes vulnerable to repeated dislocations, especially during overhead activities or contact sports. In some patients, a fragment of the socket bone is also lost, further reducing stability. The younger the patient at the time of the first dislocation, the higher the risk of recurrence.
What is the difference between Bankart repair and Latarjet procedure?
Bankart repair reattaches the torn labrum to the socket bone using suture anchors and is performed arthroscopically. It is ideal for patients with a Bankart lesion and no significant bone loss. The Latarjet procedure transfers a small piece of bone (coracoid process) to the front of the socket, restoring the bony deficiency and providing a muscular sling for additional stability. Latarjet is recommended when there is significant bone loss from the socket, when previous Bankart repair has failed, or in high-risk contact athletes.
How long does recovery take after rotator cuff repair?
After arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, the arm is supported in a sling for 4 to 6 weeks to protect the repair while the tendon heals to bone. Gentle passive range of motion exercises begin within the first week. Active shoulder movement starts at 6 weeks, strengthening exercises at 3 months, and return to overhead activities and sports at 4 to 6 months. Full recovery depends on the tear size and tendon quality.
Can frozen shoulder be treated with arthroscopy?
Yes. Arthroscopic capsular release is recommended for frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) that has not responded to 3 to 6 months of physiotherapy, stretching exercises, and steroid injections. The procedure releases the thickened, contracted capsule of the shoulder joint, restoring range of motion immediately. This is followed by an intensive physiotherapy programme to maintain the motion gained during surgery.
When can I return to overhead sports after shoulder surgery?
Return to overhead sports (badminton, volleyball, cricket bowling, swimming) typically takes 4 to 6 months after rotator cuff repair and 4 to 6 months after instability surgery. The timeline depends on the specific procedure, the quality of healing, and recovery of strength and range of motion. Dr. Vishnu clears patients for sport based on clinical assessment and functional testing rather than arbitrary timelines.
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