What is Shoulder Arthroscopy?
Shoulder arthroscopy involves inserting a small camera (arthroscope) and fine instruments through tiny incisions, allowing your surgeon to see inside the joint on a screen, diagnose the problem and often treat it in the same operation with minimal disruption to surrounding tissue. It is commonly recommended for rotator cuff tears, shoulder impingement, labral (SLAP) tears, frozen shoulder, and shoulder instability or recurrent dislocations, once non-surgical treatment such as physiotherapy or injections hasn’t provided enough relief.
Compared with open surgery, keyhole surgery generally means smaller scars, less pain and a quicker recovery. Conveniently located in St John’s Wood (NW8), we offer this treatment to patients across London with a focus on safety and compassionate care.
Who is Shoulder Arthroscopy suitable for?
- Persistent shoulder pain or stiffness that hasn’t improved with medication, physiotherapy or injections
- A rotator cuff tear, labral tear, or shoulder impingement causing weakness or pain with everyday movements
- A frozen shoulder that hasn’t responded to other treatment
- Recurrent shoulder dislocations or a feeling that the shoulder is unstable
Your consultant will examine your shoulder, usually with imaging, before recommending whether arthroscopy is the right option for you.
Consultants who perform Shoulder Arthroscopy in London
Frequently Asked Questions About Shoulder Arthroscopy
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is located in St John’s Wood (NW8), easily accessible for patients from Hampstead (NW3), Kilburn (NW6) and across North and Central London.
By Tube: St John’s Wood station (Jubilee Line) is a 5-minute walk to and from St John & St Elizabeth Hospital.
By Bus: Routes 13, 46 and 113 stop near St John’s Wood Underground Station. Routes 139 and 189 stop on Abbey Road.
By Car: Finchley Road and Kilburn High Road provide direct routes from NW3 and NW6.
Most shoulder arthroscopies take between 30 minutes and two hours, depending on what your surgeon needs to diagnose or repair. Many patients go home the same day.
The operation is carried out under general anaesthetic, often with a nerve block to numb the shoulder, so you shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure. Some soreness is normal afterwards, especially in the first few days, and is managed with pain relief and ice.
Recovery depends on what was done. A simple diagnostic or decompression procedure may allow a return to light activity within a few weeks, while repairs such as a rotator cuff or labral repair need several months of protection and physiotherapy before full strength returns. Your surgeon will give you a personalised timeline.
Usually yes, for a period that depends on the procedure. A sling is often worn for a few days to a few weeks after simpler procedures, and for around four to six weeks after a repair, to protect the shoulder while it heals. Your physiotherapist will guide you on when to start moving it.
Shoulder arthroscopy is usually considered when persistent pain, stiffness, weakness or instability hasn’t improved with non-surgical treatment such as physiotherapy or injections, or when your surgeon needs a direct look inside the joint to reach a diagnosis.
Many shoulder problems improve with physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory medication and injections, so surgery is usually considered only if these don’t provide enough relief. Your consultant will discuss whether non-surgical options are still appropriate for you.