Shoulder Arthroscopy in Pearland, TX

What Is Shoulder Arthroscopy?

Shoulder arthroscopy uses a small camera called an arthroscope to look inside your joint through a tiny incision, usually less than half an inch. Dr. Robert L. Burke gets a clear, high-definition view of the tendons, ligaments, and cartilage inside your shoulder, then uses specialized instruments through additional small incisions to repair whatever’s causing your pain.

Because the incisions are so small, you avoid the muscle cutting and long healing time that come with traditional open shoulder surgery. Most patients go home the same day and start feeling like themselves again well before they would with open surgery.

Conditions We Treat With Shoulder Arthroscopy

Not all shoulder problems are appropriate for arthroscopy. Dr. Burke uses it to diagnose and treat many shoulder problems, including:

• Rotator cuff tears, from sports injuries, falls, or years of wear and tear
• Shoulder impingement, when tendons get pinched during overhead movement
• Labral tears, including SLAP tears and Bankart lesions
• Shoulder instability or repeated dislocations
• Biceps tendon damage at the shoulder
• Bone spurs that limit motion and cause pain
• Frozen shoulder that hasn’t responded to physical therapy
• Loose cartilage or bone fragments inside the joint

If you’ve been dealing with shoulder pain for weeks, catching or popping when you move it, or giving out on you unexpectedly, arthroscopy might be what gets you moving comfortably again.

What Happens During the Shoulder Arthroscopy Procedure

Shoulder arthroscopy is performed under general anesthesia to manage post-op pain. It typically takes anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours, depending on what needs repairing.

Dr. Burke then makes a few small incisions around your shoulder, inserts the arthroscope and uses miniature surgical tools to repair torn tissue, remove damaged cartilage, smooth bone spurs or tighten loose ligaments. Your diagnosis determines the specific method.

Once the repair is complete, the incisions are closed with one or two sutures each, and you’re moved to recovery. Most patients are up and heading home within a few hours.

Recovery: What to Expect

Recovery time depends on what Dr. Burke repaired, but here’s a general recovery timeline:

• First Few Days: Your arm will probably be in a sling to protect the repair. Swelling and pain are managed with ice and prescription medications.
• First Couple of Weeks: Dr. Burke’s team leads small movement exercises to prevent stiffness.
• Weeks 2-6: Physical therapy increases, rebuilding range of motion and strength. Our on-site therapists work directly with Dr. Burke, so your recovery plan is modified as you progress, in real time, without having to repeat your case at a separate physical therapy office.
• Months 2-4+: Most patients return to normal daily activities and light exercise. Sports and heavier lifting are permitted when your shoulder is strong enough to tolerate it. If the repairs are minor, you may be able to return to full activity sooner. Larger rotator cuff tears may take 6 months or more to fully strengthen.

Every shoulder heals at its own pace. Dr. Burke checks your progress at each follow-up and adjusts your plan instead of sticking to a generic timeline that doesn’t reflect your body’s healing.

Why Choose Us for Shoulder Arthroscopy Surgery in Pearland, TX

Choosing a surgeon for shoulder surgery is important. This is what makes our office unique:

• 35+ years of orthopedic experience and thousands of procedures performed.
• Board certification from the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, plus a Certificate in Orthopedic Sports Medicine.
• Same-day and next-day appointments: you can often be seen within days, not weeks.
• On-site physical therapy, so your surgeon and your therapist are working together on one coordinated recovery plan.
• A conservative-first philosophy: Dr. Burke recommends surgery only when it’s genuinely the best option for you.

Our office is conveniently located for patients throughout the area who want expert orthopedic care without a long drive into Houston.