Benefits and limitations of diagnostic shoulder arthroscopy for painful anatomical shoulder arthroplasty investigation
Shoulder arthroscopy is a valuable diagnostic tool for painful anatomical shoulder arthroplasty offering some therapeutic opportunities. It has been demonstrated as a sensitive option to diagnose periprosthetic joint infection and is most frequently used for this purpose. Additionally, it offers the possibility of diagnosing some complications after shoulder arthroplasty such as component loosening or rotator cuff failure. As therapeutic options are mostly limited to arthrolysis, and débridement and decompression, most patients will have to face a revision arthroplasty. Nevertheless, diagnostic arthroscopy provides a valuable tool to gain information on the cause of the symptoms to determine further steps of treatment.