Our shoulders are vulnerable to injuries, as they’re involved in nearly every movement we make. That’s why shoulder pain is a common problem affecting millions of people worldwide. The pain can render the entire arm dysfunctional, making even simple daily tasks—like brushing your hair or getting dressed—challenging.
Immediate management and treatment are essential, as otherwise, the pain and limited mobility of the shoulder may worsen over time. When conservative treatment fails, surgery is often recommended.
Minimally invasive techniques through small incisions, digital technology, modern materials, and fast-track recovery protocols allow for personalized procedures tailored to each patient’s needs—providing faster and more definitive relief from shoulder pain. This avoids lengthy, invasive surgeries with large incisions, prolonged hospitalization, and difficult recovery.
Causes and Diagnosis
Shoulder pain is usually due to conditions or injuries involving the shoulder joint (bones, cartilage, tendons, muscles, nerves). Less commonly, it may result from problems in other parts of the body (e.g., the neck) that radiate pain to the shoulder.
Diagnosis is based on medical history and clinical examination and may require imaging tests, such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans.
Conservative Treatment
Initially, symptoms can be managed conservatively with:
- Rest, and in some cases, a brace to partially immobilize the shoulder
- Cold compresses (cryotherapy), and less commonly, heat therapy
- Painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications
- Intra-articular or periarticular injections with hyaluronic acid or corticosteroids
- In certain cases, biological treatments using the patient’s own cells, such as PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) or stem cells
- Physiotherapy and muscle strengthening
Shoulder Arthroscopy
When conservative measures fail, arthroscopy is an effective option—a minimally invasive technique used to diagnose and treat shoulder problems without hospitalization.
Using small incisions (3–5 mm), the orthopedic surgeon inserts an arthroscope—a high-definition mini camera—into the shoulder joint to:
- Carefully examine the joint’s interior and accurately detect even minor lesions in hard-to-reach areas
- Repair damage immediately using fine surgical instruments
In most cases, shoulder arthroscopy lasts about an hour. The patient is mobilized immediately after surgery and can return home the same day.
Minimally Invasive Shoulder Arthroplasty (M.I.S.)
Specifically for arthritis, when conservative therapy is no longer effective, minimally invasive shoulder arthroplasty offers a solution.
Arthroplasty is a procedure where the damaged joint surfaces are replaced with implants. The main types include:
- Total shoulder arthroplasty (replacement of the joint with an artificial one)
- Partial arthroplasty (replacement of part of the joint)
- Reverse total arthroplasty (reversing the natural anatomy using a special prosthesis)
Modern minimally invasive techniques, using smaller incisions, digital technology, and surgical navigation tools, allow for millimeter-precise planning and execution based on the patient’s unique shoulder anatomy. This results in better and faster outcomes than traditional methods.
Unlike conventional arthroplasty, M.I.S. does not cut through or damage muscles and tendons, which are essential for shoulder function. This leads to faster tissue healing, reduced postoperative pain, less blood loss, and quicker recovery. Combined with fast-track rehabilitation protocols, it allows for immediate mobilization of the joint and a shorter hospital stay.
The prosthesis is made from highly durable, biocompatible materials for long-lasting results.
The patient can usually get up as soon as the anesthesia wears off, begin moving the arm immediately, and return home within a few hours or the next day, depending on their health status and medical history.
Physiotherapy
Whether treatment is conservative or surgical, it is almost always followed by a rehabilitation program aimed at restoring shoulder joint mobility and muscle strength.