SHOULDER surgery in a nutshell

Shoulder impingement means rotator cuff degeneration, aging. It should not be treated with surgery. Cleansing, decompression with arthroscopy is high time preference. Helps only if you believe enough.

Low time preference: Exercise, physical therapy. Have patience to wait until it gets better.

Trauma is a different beast. If an otherwise healthy rotator cuff gets torn it can be fixed most of the time.

Instability surgery gives good results in anterior instability.

AC joint arthrosis can be operated but usually gets better with time. In severe glenohumeral arthrosis an endoprosthesis is a possible option.

Fracture treatment needs surgical advice. Both operative and conservative treatment is used. Latest studies lean to conservative especially in the elderly.

#docchain