How long does shoulder surgery take?

The length of shoulder surgery depends on the procedure. A relatively simple arthroscopic procedure may take around an hour, while a rotator cuff repair, stabilisation procedure, fracture fixation, or shoulder replacement can take longer. Complex cases and revision surgery may require additional operating time.

Patients should remember that the surgical time is only part of the hospital process. Before surgery, the patient is prepared for anaesthesia and the surgical team confirms the procedure. After the operation, the patient spends time in a recovery area while the effects of anaesthesia wear off and pain, blood pressure, and circulation are monitored.

The surgeon can provide a more accurate estimate after reviewing the diagnosis and planned procedure. A shorter operation is not necessarily better; careful repair and safe surgical technique are more important. Recovery time also depends more on what was repaired than on the number of minutes spent in the operating room, especially for tendon and ligament procedures that need biological healing.

The type of repair has a major effect on both operating and recovery time. A procedure that takes only a little longer in theatre may require months more rehabilitation if a tendon has been reattached to bone. Before surgery, patients should ask not only how long the operation takes but also how long a sling, activity restrictions, and physiotherapy are likely to be needed.