Shoulder Arthroscopy

Shoulder arthroscopy may be right if persistent shoulder pain, instability, or grinding is interfering with your sleep and daily life. Learn more about shoulder arthroscopy, and find the right surgeon that fits your needs below, serving Canadians in major cities like Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Toronto, Ontario; and Montréal, Québec.

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Reviewed and approved by Dr. Sean Haffey
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To get private surgery in Canada, you'll generally need to travel out of province. So your first step is deciding where makes sense for you.
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How do I get a private shoulder arthroscopy in Canada?

  1. Research. Explore surgeons who specialize in private rotator cuff surgery.
  • You can find surgeons in Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Toronto, Ontario; and Montréal, Québec on our app, and review qualifications, as well as pricing.
  1. Schedule an initial consultation. Most surgeons offer in-clinic and online consults.
  • Consultations are usually booked within days or a few weeks.
  • Note: expect a consultation fee between $150 - $350
  1. Consultation. The surgeon will review your condition, symptoms, and any previous treatments or diagnostics, such as X-rays or MRIs.
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  2. Post consultation. The surgeon will then review your case and provide surgical options based on your needs; review the risks and expected outcomes; and present pricing and scheduling options.
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  3. Schedule your surgery date. Once you confirm the procedure and payment, the clinic will schedule your surgery—generally within a few weeks.
  • Expect pre-surgery preparation, and possibly some pre-surgery tests.
  • Regarding financing, you can learn more about your options here.
  1. Surgery. The clinic will provide you with attendance instructions.
  • The operation usually takes 1-2 hours.
  • Depending on the clinic, you might be discharged within hours of your surgery, or stay for 1-2 nights.
  1. Post-operative care. The clinic will provide you with an extensive shoulder surgery recovery plan that includes physiotherapy, pain management, and further monitoring.
  • Note: please take post-operative care seriously. The more diligently this process is followed, the better the outcome tends to be.

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surgeon diagnosing a patient's shoulder pain

Shoulder arthroscopy frequently asked questions

How do I know if shoulder arthroscopy is right for me?

Shoulder arthroscopy may be advisable if you're experiencing persistent shoulder pain and instability that has not responded to more conservative measures.

If you're experiencing persistent pain; struggle to lift your arm overhead or rotate your arm; feel clicking, popping, grinding when moving your shoulder; feel the joint suddenly give way during normal activities; or struggle to sleep, especially lying on the side of the impacted shoulder, then you may be a candidate for shoulder arthroscopy.

The specific issues shoulder arthroscopy treats include:

  • Labral tears
  • Rotator cuff tears
  • Biceps tendon tears
  • Loose bodies inside the shoulder
  • Shoulder impingement
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Calcific tendinitis

Ultimately, your surgeon will advise you whether shoulder arthroscopy makes sense, given your unique circumstances.

How much does private shoulder arthroscopy cost in Canada?

Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery, however the costs are significant and very because of the potential complexity involved in certain instances. Private clinics in Canada typically charge $5,000 to $16,000.

In the United States, the costs vary even more: CA$9,660 to CA$43,670.

Costs vary so much because of location, surgeon experience, facility type, scopy of potential treatments, complexity of the issue, and included services (some clinics offer all-inclusive, while others charge separately for anesthesia, followup care, etc.).

You also need to take into account the cost of travel and accommodation when travelling out of province.

Do I need a referral?

No, you do not need a referral for private shoulder arthroscopy in Canada. You can book a consultation directly with a surgeon, and they will review your condition, symptoms, and any previous treatments or diagnostics.

What are the risks if I delay or don't get shoulder arthroscopy?

The answer to this question depends heavily on your unique circumstances. Please consult your surgeon for tailored advice.

In general, delaying shoulder arthroscopy by 6-12 months presents several potential risks:

  • Worsening pain and mobility
  • Muscle atrophy
  • Further damage to the joint, tear, cartilage
  • Compromised surgical outcomes
  • More difficult recovery post-surgery

If you need shoulder arthroscopy, and do not get it, then you may risk:

  • Chronic shoulder pain
  • Permanent structural damage to shoulder muscles and tendons
  • Substantial limitations to daily life (i.e. unable to return to sport or active hobbies)

How do I prepare for shoulder arthroscopy?

Your surgeon will provide you with guidance on how to prepare, but you can expect some pre-surgery exercises to help with stiffness, muscle weakness, and range of motion issues. If you smoke, you will be advised to stop to improve healing outcomes. Depending on your weight, you may be advised to diet and exercise to reduce surgical risks and improve healing outcomes.

Support: Try to arrange for someone to stay with you for the first few days after surgery, and someone close by who can reach you in the event of an emergency for the first several weeks/months after surgery.

Work: shoulder arthroscopy is considered minimally invasive, the recovery can be major depending on the underlying issue treated. If possible, you will likely need to request time off work to recover, especially if your job involves manual lifting.

Post-surgery practice: You might consider 'practicing' daily activities with substantially limited range of motion, such as getting in and out of the car, getting in and out of bed, putting on and taking off shoes, etc.

When can I return to sports or active hobbies after shoulder arthroscopy?

Shoulder arthroscopy treats a range of issues in the shoulder, and some involve more substantial recovery times than others. Your return to normal activity and sport will depend on your unique circumstances.

In general, you can expect basic arm movement within 2-3 months, retuning to low impact sport within 12-14 months, and full recovery within 14 months.

Always consult your surgeon and physio for guidance.

older patient wearing a sling after shoulder arthroscopy

What can I expect from the shoulder arthroscopy recovery process?

The recovery process varies patient to patient. Your recovery might look quite different, so please seek further guidance from your surgeon. In general here is what you can expect:

Week 1:

  • Pain, discomfort, emotion, more pain, stiffness, frustration. Week 1 is not fun.
  • Goals: Pain management, wound care, inflammation control, little to no arm movement.
  • Activities:
    • Depending on your clinic and circumstances, you might get same day discharge or recover in the clinic for 1-2 days.
    • Wearing a sling, even while sleeping, using pillows to keep shoulder still and comfortable through the night.
    • Pain medication management and wound care (it will be advantageous to have a friend, family member, or caretaker support you for both in the first few days).

Weeks 2-4:

  • The next 3 weeks are still characterized by significant discomfort, swelling, frustration, and emotional highs and lows.
  • Goals: Physical therapy for passive range of motion, keeping wound clean.
  • Activities:
    • Tapering off use of the sling.
    • Passive range of motion exercises focusing on flexion and abduction limited to 90 degrees.
    • Keeping arm still to avoid tearing the muscle again while it's healing.
    • Sleeping in a reclined position or with a pillow under the operative arm.
    • Return to work that does not involve manual labor.

Weeks 5-12:

  • Focus and diligence on exercises are starting to pay off.
  • Goals: Start active range of motion exercises, slowly regaining strength.
  • Activities:
    • Discontinuing your sling
    • Physical therapy progresses to active range of motion and light strengthening exercises
    • May begin lifting up to 5lbs (as directed by your surgeon)
    • Return to driving
    • Gradually returning to sleep in a normal position (but not on the side of the operative arm)
    • Regain the ability to do normal front of body activities like brushing teeth and combing hair.

Weeks 13-52:

  • The worst of the recovery is likely behind you. But you'll need to stay on top of physical therapy and listen carefully to your body in the year post operation (and beyond).
  • Goals: Return to low impact sports and hobbies, achieve 90% strength symmetry between shoulders, focus on long-term shoulder health.
  • Activities:
    • Physical therapy may continue the entire first year post operation, gradually bringing you back to your activity levels pre-surgery.
    • Returning to work activities involving overhead lifting (as directed by your surgeon).
    • Regain the ability to perform behind the back activities like fastening clothing.
    • You may be able to return to low impact sports like golf, tennis, swimming, or cycling. For anything high impact, please consult your surgeon and physio. Most functional recovery happens within one year of surgery, but many patients need to continue working up to pre-injury levels of activity for up to 1.5 years.
older man doing rehab after shoulder arthroscopy in the gym

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