Your Specialist for Minimally Invasive Shoulder Surgery
Shoulder Surgery in Southern Illinois
Suffering with shoulder pain? It can be difficult to know what you should do about it. Some shoulder pain improves with rest and activity modification. Other types of pain may require physical therapy or injections to improve. However, some pain is a sign that you will benefit from shoulder surgery.
Dr. Srinath Kamineni is a leading shoulder orthopedic surgeon in the USA, Olney, IL, with world-class expertise in advanced shoulder surgery procedures. As a surgeon who is double fellowship-trained and board-certified in both the USA and England, Dr. Kamineni utilizes the latest techniques — both open and arthroscopic — to treat a wide range of shoulder conditions. His focus on minimally invasive solutions helps patients get back to their lives with less downtime.
Don't let shoulder pain hold you back. Contact our office to schedule an evaluation and learn which surgical option is right for you.
Signs That You May Need Shoulder Surgery
Sometimes it is necessary to treat shoulder pain with surgery. Your physician will discuss your options with you, but if non-surgical methods have not relieved your pain and restored your function, surgery may be required. Generally, if any of the following apply to you, your surgeon will discuss surgery with you:
- A painful shoulder with arthritis that continues to cause pain and poor motion and function, despite physical therapy and injections.
- A rotator cuff disorder that hasn't improved despite three to six months of treatment (depending on the severity of your pain and rotator cuff problem).
- A complete tear of your rotator cuff.
- An acromioclavicular joint disorder that hasn't improved despite three months of treatment.
- Shoulder instability and frequent shoulder dislocations, particularly if you are 30 years old or younger.
- Shoulder pain that is causing considerable difficulty carrying out your job.
- You are an athlete who needs to return to physical fitness as soon as possible.
- A stiff or frozen shoulder that hasn't improved despite 3 to 6 months or more of treatment.
Shoulder surgery can be open or keyhole (arthroscopic), and can range from shoulder joint replacement to keyhole surgery repair to fracture fixation.
Shoulder Arthroscopy (Keyhole Surgery)
Keyhole surgery of the shoulder is performed using a long, thin camera (arthroscope) and specialized thin instruments, which are inserted through 2 to 5 small incisions of approximately 1 cm each. Saline is used to keep the joint distended and aid visualization of the interior of the joint. This minimally invasive approach results in less trauma to surrounding tissues, smaller scars, less post-operative pain, and a faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery.
Dr. Kamineni regularly performs arthroscopic surgery to treat a wide range of shoulder conditions including rotator cuff tears, shoulder impingement, shoulder instability (Bankart repair), labral and SLAP tears, biceps tendon issues, frozen shoulder, and removal of loose bodies from the joint.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shoulder Arthroscopy?
Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to both diagnose and treat problems inside the shoulder joint. During the surgery, a small camera called an arthroscope is inserted into the shoulder through a tiny incision (about the size of a keyhole). This camera transmits a high-definition video feed to a monitor, giving your surgeon a clear, magnified view of the joint's interior. Through other small incisions, specialized pencil-thin instruments can be inserted to perform complex repairs to the damaged tissues.
What Conditions Can Be Treated with Shoulder Arthroscopy?
Dr. Kamineni regularly performs arthroscopic surgery to treat:
- Rotator Cuff Tears: Repairing torn rotator cuff tendons and reattaching them to the bone.
- Shoulder Impingement: Removing bone spurs and inflamed tissue to create more space for the rotator cuff tendons (subacromial decompression).
- Shoulder Instability: Repairing a torn labrum (Bankart repair) to stabilize the shoulder after dislocations.
- Labral Tears (SLAP Tears): Repairing or debriding tears in the ring of cartilage that surrounds the shoulder socket.
- Biceps Tendon Issues: Repairing or releasing a damaged biceps tendon.
- Frozen Shoulder: Releasing a stiff and tightened shoulder capsule to restore motion.
- Removal of Loose Bodies: Extracting loose pieces of cartilage or bone from the joint.
What are the Benefits of Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery?
Compared to traditional open surgery, arthroscopic shoulder surgery results in less trauma to the surrounding muscles and tissues. This typically means:
- Less post-operative pain
- Smaller, less noticeable scars
- A lower risk of infection
- A faster initial recovery period
- An outpatient procedure, allowing you to go home the same day
What Happens During Shoulder Arthroscopy?
The procedure is typically performed as an outpatient surgery under general anesthesia. Dr. Kamineni will make small portals (incisions) around your shoulder, insert the arthroscope to examine the joint thoroughly, then use specialized instruments through additional portals to perform the required repair — whether reattaching a tendon, removing a bone spur, or repairing damaged cartilage. The small incisions are then closed with a sterile dressing.
What is the Recovery Like After Shoulder Surgery?
Recovery varies depending on the specific procedure performed. Following arthroscopy you will go home the same day with your arm in a sling to protect the repair. Physical therapy begins soon after surgery, initially focusing on protecting the repair while restoring gentle motion, then progressing to rebuilding strength and full function. Dr. Kamineni will provide a detailed and personalized rehabilitation plan to guide your recovery.
How Do I Know if I Need Open or Keyhole Surgery?
The decision between open and arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery depends on the nature and severity of your condition. Many repairs can now be performed arthroscopically with excellent results. However, some complex reconstructions, severe fractures, or joint replacements require an open approach. Dr. Kamineni will review your imaging and examination findings and recommend the most appropriate surgical strategy for your individual situation.
How Do I Find an Experienced Shoulder Surgeon?
Dr. Srinath Kamineni is a premier shoulder orthopaedic surgeon in Olney, IL, who has dedicated his career to mastering both open and arthroscopic shoulder surgery. His fellowship training at world-renowned institutions including the Mayo Clinic and Balgrist University of Switzerland focused heavily on advanced shoulder techniques. Contact our office or use our online form to request a consultation and find out which treatment is right for you.