Shoulder Arthroscopy
Minimally invasive keyhole surgery using a small HD camera inserted through tiny portals — diagnosing and treating rotator cuff tears, labral injuries, impingement, and shoulder instability.
What is Shoulder Arthroscopy?
Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure in which a small camera (arthroscope) and specialised instruments are introduced into the shoulder joint through 2–3 small incisions (portals), providing magnified HD visualisation of all internal structures — rotator cuff, labrum, articular cartilage, biceps tendon, and joint capsule — and allowing simultaneous therapeutic treatment. Shoulder arthroscopy has largely replaced open shoulder surgery for most conditions, offering equivalent or superior outcomes with significantly less post-operative pain, smaller scars, and faster recovery. Dr. Satish performs the full range of shoulder arthroscopic procedures at specialist facilities in Hyderabad.
Suitable for patients with rotator cuff tears, shoulder labral tears (Bankart), SLAP tears, shoulder impingement, frozen shoulder, shoulder instability, biceps tendon pathology, and other shoulder conditions that have failed conservative management or require surgical treatment.
How the Procedure Works
Positioning & Portal Placement
Patient positioned in beach chair or lateral decubitus; 2–3 portals are made at anatomically defined locations for the arthroscope and instruments.
Systematic Joint Inspection
The entire shoulder is inspected — subacromial space, glenohumeral joint, rotator cuff, labrum, cartilage, and biceps tendon.
Subacromial Work
Inflamed bursa and bone spurs are removed; acromioplasty performed if required — decompressing the rotator cuff.
Glenohumeral Repair
Labral tears are repaired with suture anchors; rotator cuff repairs are performed; biceps tenotomy or tenodesis as indicated.
Recovery
Arm in a sling post-op; physiotherapy begins week 1. Return to daily activities in 1–2 weeks; sport at 3–6 months.
Outcomes
Who Needs This Treatment?
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No large incisions — only 2–3 portals of 5–10 mm
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Simultaneous diagnosis and treatment in one procedure
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Same-day or next-day discharge for most procedures
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Significantly less post-operative pain than open shoulder surgery
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HD magnification — better visualisation than open surgery
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Suitable for multiple shoulder conditions in one anaesthetic
"Shoulder arthroscopy allows us to see the entire shoulder from the inside in extraordinary detail — and treat whatever we find in the same sitting. The precision of arthroscopic repair, combined with the minimal disruption to the shoulder, is what makes it such an outstanding approach."
— Dr. Satish Reddy Gandavarapu, Senior Orthopaedic Consultant and Trauma Surgeon , Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad
Shoulder Arthroscopy Cost in Hyderabad
The cost of Shoulder Arthroscopy in Hyderabad generally ranges from ₹70,000 to ₹1,40,000, with an indicative average cost of around ₹1,05,000. Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a small camera and specialised instruments to evaluate and treat selected conditions affecting the shoulder joint, including certain labral injuries, tendon problems, loose bodies and other intra-articular conditions. The final cost depends on the diagnosis, complexity of the procedure, implants or suture anchors required, associated procedures, hospitalisation and rehabilitation.
| Procedure | Approximate Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Shoulder Arthroscopy | ₹70,000 – ₹1,40,000 |
The above range is indicative; the final package and inclusions should be confirmed with the hospital before publication. Shoulder arthroscopy may be diagnostic or therapeutic depending on the condition. Additional procedures performed during the same surgery, such as labral repair, rotator cuff treatment or biceps procedures, can increase the overall cost.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Shoulder Arthroscopy
The overall cost of shoulder arthroscopy can vary depending on the underlying condition, whether the procedure is diagnostic or therapeutic, the number and type of additional procedures, implant requirements and postoperative rehabilitation.
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Underlying shoulder condition: The diagnosis, severity and location of the shoulder problem can influence the complexity and duration of arthroscopy.
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Diagnostic versus therapeutic procedure: A diagnostic arthroscopy may involve fewer surgical steps, while treatment of a labral tear, loose body, tendon problem or other pathology may require additional instruments and implants.
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Suture anchors and implants: Procedures such as labral repair or certain tendon repairs may require multiple suture anchors or other fixation devices, which can significantly affect the final cost.
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Associated procedures: Biceps tenodesis, rotator cuff repair, debridement, capsular procedures or other treatments may be performed during the same surgery when clinically indicated.
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Preoperative investigations: X-rays, MRI, CT scans, blood tests and other investigations may be required to evaluate the shoulder and plan treatment. These may be billed separately if not included in the package.
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Anaesthesia and hospitalisation: Anaesthesia, operating-room charges, medicines, nursing care and room charges may contribute to the final cost depending on the package structure.
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Rehabilitation: Physiotherapy and structured rehabilitation may be required after shoulder arthroscopy to restore movement, strength and function. These services may be charged separately.
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Surgical complexity: Previous shoulder surgery, significant instability, bone loss or complex anatomy may require additional planning or procedures and can increase the overall treatment cost.
Insurance Coverage for Shoulder Arthroscopy
Shoulder Arthroscopy may be covered by health insurance when medically necessary, subject to the patient's policy terms, exclusions, waiting periods, insurer approval and hospital coverage arrangements. Patients should confirm pre-authorisation requirements, implant coverage, package inclusions and applicable out-of-pocket expenses with their insurer before treatment.
- Checking your policy coverage
- Cashless approval process
- Required documentation
- Insurance-related queries before the procedure
Dr. Satish Reddy Gandavarapu
Orthopaedic & Joint Replacement Surgeon
Dr. Satish Reddy at Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad, can evaluate patients with shoulder pain, instability, tendon injuries and other shoulder conditions and help determine whether arthroscopy is appropriate based on clinical examination and imaging findings. During the consultation, the doctor may assess: Shoulder symptoms: The doctor may review pain, stiffness, weakness, clicking, catching, instability and difficulty with reaching, lifting or overhead activities. Joint examination: Shoulder range of motion, strength, stability, tenderness and functional limitations may be evaluated to identify the likely source of symptoms. Rotator cuff function: The doctor may assess rotator cuff strength and review imaging for evidence of tendon tears or other associated abnormalities. Shoulder instability: A history of recurrent dislocation, subluxation or apprehension during specific movements may be evaluated when instability is suspected. Labral and intra-articular pathology: Clinical findings and imaging may be reviewed for possible labral tears, loose bodies, synovitis or other conditions that may be treated arthroscopically. Imaging findings: X-rays, MRI or CT scans may be reviewed to assess the joint, soft tissues, bone anatomy and any structural abnormalities. Treatment suitability: Based on the overall findings, the doctor may discuss arthroscopy and other appropriate treatment options, including non-surgical management or alternative surgical procedures when clinically indicated.
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