Shoulder pain or injury can significantly limit your daily activities and quality of life. Bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and muscles in your shoulder work together to support movement. A key part of this area is the rotator cuff, which consists of tendons and muscles that cover the joint and hold the arm in place.
At Fondren Orthopedic Group, Houston’s largest private orthopedic practice, our board-certified surgeons have extensive experience with rotator cuff surgery and shoulder arthroscopy. Investments in advanced technologies enable us to offer state-of-the-art treatments for shoulder injuries and pain.
Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that can help diagnose and treat certain shoulder conditions. A surgeon makes a small incision in the shoulder and uses a miniature camera called an arthroscope to examine and repair tissue around and inside the shoulder joint. Shoulder arthroscopies are also known as shoulder keyhole surgeries or shoulder scopes.
Orthopedic specialists use this evidence-based procedure to treat:
Your surgeon may also recommend a shoulder arthroscopy at our Houston practice for cartilage tears, complex shoulder fractures, shoulder separation, sprains and arthritis affecting the shoulder joint. Surgeons may opt for minimally invasive procedures like the shoulder arthroscopy because they typically speed recovery and reduce complications. For severe damage, open surgery could still be required.
Most often, regional anesthesia with sedation is used, though the anesthetic approach may vary depending on the specifics of the procedure and your health. In either case, you will not feel pain during the surgery.
To clearly see inside the joint, your surgeon usually injects fluid into the shoulder. The surgeon will make a small incision in your shoulder and insert the arthroscope. Images from the arthroscope appear on a monitor in real time. If repairs are necessary, your surgeon may make additional small incisions as needed to allow access for instruments.
After the procedure, the medical team will close the incision using stitches and cover the area with bandages. Medical staff will monitor you in a recovery area for an hour or two and place your arm in a sling. Your surgeon will review the procedure’s results with you and recommend any additional care, such as rehabilitation.
You can usually go home on the same day. Recovery from a shoulder scope can take up to six months, though recovery time varies.
Get personalized care from Fondren Orthopedic Group — Houston’s trusted team for advanced shoulder arthroscopy. Schedule an appointment online today.
New location NOW OPEN in The Woodlands!
Congratulations to Dr. Thomas Mehlhoff who retired from active clinical practice in March, 2026 after 42 YEARS of service!
Welcome Dr. Nickolas Boutris and Dr. Joseph Amos!