Throwing Injury Surgery

Your doctor may recommend surgery based on your history, physical examination, and imaging studies, or if your symptoms are not relieved by nonsurgical treatment.

The type of surgery performed will depend on several factors, such as your injury, age, and anatomy.

Your orthopaedic surgeon will discuss with you the best procedure to meet your individual health needs.

Arthroscopy

Most throwing injuries can be treated with arthroscopic surgery. During arthroscopy, the surgeon inserts a small camera, called an arthroscope, into the shoulder joint. The camera displays pictures on a television screen, and the surgeon uses these images to guide miniature surgical instruments.

Because the arthroscope and surgical instruments are thin, the surgeon can use very small incisions (cuts), rather than the larger incision needed for standard, open surgery.

During arthroscopy, your doctor can repair damage to soft tissues, such as the labrum, ligaments, or rotator cuff.

During arthroscopy, your surgeon inserts the arthroscope and small instruments into your shoulder joint.

Open surgery

A traditional open surgical incision (several centimeters long) is often required if the injury is large or complex.