“…had two shoulder surgeries while in the military that did not correct the problem… I am 5 weeks out from surgery and my shoulder has never felt better.”
Dr. Andrew Dold, MD is a board-certified, fellowship-trained sports medicine and orthopedic surgeon in Frisco, Texas, who performs arthroscopic (minimally invasive) shoulder surgery for rotator cuff tears, labral tears, shoulder dislocations, biceps tendon problems and stiff shoulders. Most of these procedures are done as same-day outpatient surgery.
- Same-day appointments available
- New-patient walk-ins Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:30–10:30 am
- Office hours Monday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm, at 6700 Dallas Parkway, Suite 100, Frisco
- Second opinions welcome
- Dr. Dold accepts most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Tricare. Please call 469-850-0680 to confirm your coverage.
What is shoulder arthroscopy?
In shoulder arthroscopy, the surgeon places a small camera (an arthroscope) into the shoulder through a few small incisions. The camera shows the inside of the joint on a screen, and small instruments passed through the other incisions are used to repair or clean up the damaged tissue. Compared with open surgery, the incisions are smaller and the muscles around the shoulder are not cut through.
Shoulder problems treated with arthroscopy
Do I need surgery?
Many shoulder problems get better with physical therapy, activity changes and, in some cases, injections. Dr. Dold starts with an exam and imaging review, explains what the MRI does and does not show, and recommends surgery only when it is likely to help more than non-surgical care. Some situations where the research supports surgery:
- Small and medium rotator cuff tears: in a randomized trial with 10 years of follow-up, patients who had tendon repair did better than those treated with physiotherapy alone.1
- Tears from an injury: in one study, patients whose traumatic rotator cuff tears were repaired early had better function than those repaired later.2
- First-time dislocation in a young athlete: a meta-analysis of randomized trials found that arthroscopic stabilization lowered the chance of the shoulder dislocating again compared with a sling.3
What to expect
- Surgery day: most shoulder arthroscopy is outpatient, so you go home the same day. Dr. Dold operates at surgery centers and hospitals in Frisco and the surrounding area.
- Recovery: you will wear a sling for a period that depends on the procedure, then start physical therapy. A repair (rotator cuff or labrum) needs more protected time than a cleanup.
- Long-term results: a systematic review of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair found improved outcomes and low revision rates 10 years after surgery.4 Most patients return to work after rotator cuff repair,5 and most athletes return to sport after arthroscopic Bankart repair.6
Shoulder arthroscopy videos by Dr. Dold
More videos on Dr. Dold’s YouTube channel.
From a patient
“I’m a 45 yr old former Navy SEAL with an incredibly active lifestyle… He performed a tenodesis procedure that truly changed my life… back to light activity within 3 months and I was 100% by 5 months.”
Questions about shoulder arthroscopy
Is shoulder arthroscopy done as outpatient surgery?
Most shoulder arthroscopy is same-day outpatient surgery, so you go home the same day.
How long is recovery?
It depends on what is repaired. A cleanup procedure usually recovers faster than a rotator cuff or labral repair, which needs time in a sling and a structured physical therapy program. Dr. Dold will go over the timeline for your procedure.
Can I get a second opinion?
Yes. Dr. Dold welcomes second opinions, including when surgery has already been recommended. Bring your MRI images and report if you have them.
Do I need a referral?
Many patients do not need one, but some insurance plans require a referral. Call 469-850-0680 and the team will check your plan.
Does Dr. Dold accept my insurance?
Dr. Dold accepts most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Tricare. Please call 469-850-0680 to confirm your coverage.
Research cited
- Moosmayer S, Lund G, Seljom US, et al. At a 10-year follow-up, tendon repair is superior to physiotherapy in the treatment of small and medium-sized rotator cuff tears. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2019;101(12):1050-1060. PubMed
- Gutman MJ, Joyce CD, Patel MS, et al. Early repair of traumatic rotator cuff tears improves functional outcomes. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2021;30(11):2475-2483. PubMed
- Belk JW, Wharton BR, Houck DA, et al. Shoulder stabilization versus immobilization for first-time anterior shoulder dislocation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of level 1 randomized controlled trials. Am J Sports Med. 2023;51(6):1634-1643. PubMed
- Davey MS, Hurley ET, Carroll PJ, et al. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair results in improved clinical outcomes and low revision rates at 10-year follow-up: a systematic review. Arthroscopy. 2023;39(2):452-458. PubMed
- Haunschild ED, Gilat R, Lavoie-Gagne O, et al. Return to work after primary rotator cuff repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Sports Med. 2021;49(8):2238-2247. PubMed
- Memon M, Kay J, Cadet ER, et al. Return to sport following arthroscopic Bankart repair: a systematic review. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2018;27(7):1342-1347. PubMed
This page is general information, not medical advice for your situation. Individual results vary.
