Outpatient Shoulder Surgery

Outpatient shoulder surgery specialists Steven S. Goldberg, M.D. and Brian Wallace, D.O. specialize in orthopedic surgery of the upper extremities and are fellowship trained in Sports Medicine.

Shoulder joint structure

The shoulder joint is made up of the scapula (shoulder blade), and the humerus (upper arm bone). Tissues and tendon attach to the joint that help stabilize and support the shoulder. The rotator cuff, a set of four muscles attaching to the scapula, gives the shoulder its extensive range of motion. The labrum, which sits within the shoulder socket, helps stabilize the joint and allows the humeral head to sit within the socket more securely.

The shoulder joint has one of the widest ranges of motion in the body. Because it has so much mobility, it is also prone to injury. When the shoulder joint is injured, a variety of problems can be at fault. If the components in the shoulder are damaged or inflamed, significant pain and dysfunction can occur. While conservative treatment methods are always preferred, surgery is often the best solution to alleviate pain and restore joint function. Arthroscopic shoulder surgery, a minimally invasive approach to treatment, is often the solution recommended by the orthopedic doctor. Shoulder arthroscopy provides numerous potential benefits beyond traditional open joint surgery, allowing the patient to return to previous levels of activity safely and quickly.