Arthroscopy Of The Shoulder

Preparing For Arthroscopy

Arthroscopic surgery is usually done as an outpatient procedure. In most cases, you will return home the same day. If the repair is complicated or if an open surgical incision is required, you may need to stay in the hospital for a day or two.

Routine preoperative tests include analyses of blood and urine. Depending on your age, you may require a chest x-ray and EKG (an electrocardiogram, to measure the regularity of the heartbeat). You also will meet the anesthesiologist, who may offer you a choice of anesthesia:

  • General anesthesia. If you choose general anesthesia, you will be asleep during the procedure.
  • A regional anesthetic called an interscalene block. The anesthesiologist will insert a small needle near the base of the neck and inject an anesthetic agent that temporarily numbs the shoulder and arm. If you receive an interscalene block, you will be awake during the procedure. In most cases, you will also receive a mild sedative. You may be able to watch the procedure on the TV monitor.

Need To Know

Be sure to tell your doctor:

  • If you are allergic to iodine or any other drugs
  • What medications you take
  • About your past medical history
  • About any occurrence of deep vein thrombosis or other blood clotting abnormalities

Other steps to take:

  • You should stop taking certain medications (for example, blood thinners such as aspirin) a week or two before the procedure, to cut down on the possibility of bleeding. Your surgeon will discuss with you if this is necessary.
  • You should not eat or drink anything, not even water, beginning at midnight on the day of the procedure..
  • Ask the surgeon what you should do about any medication that you would normally take during the hours before surgery.

 

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