Shoulder problems can plague people from all walks of life at any age. Fractures (broken bones) can happen to children as well as to younger and older adults. Dislocating shoulders affect mostly adolescents through torn ligaments but can also afflict older adults through rotator cuff tears. Shoulder arthritis typically attacks older adults but some forms may occur in the younger populations. An active lifestyle, though healthful, can be associated with injuries of various types. Many workplace injuries likewise can require surgical attention.
Arthroscopic surgery has been progressed tremendously in the last several years. It began as a not-particularly-useful looking into a joint prior to performing the real operation through a large incision and has developed into an entirely new way of treating patients less invasively. While it would be incorrect to assume that any arthroscopic operation is better than any open operation, the arthroscope allows us to make our surgery less invasive, faster, less painful, and frequently, more effective.
