Concierge upper-limb surgery · London
Shoulder arthroscopy, keyhole diagnostic and therapeutic surgery of the shoulder joint.
Shoulder arthroscopy is a keyhole procedure that both diagnoses and treats intra-articular shoulder problems — rotator cuff tears, labral tears, instability, subacromial impingement and stiff shoulder. Same-day discharge under general anaesthetic.
Why patients choose us
- 01
The right hands
We route you to a consultant upper-limb surgeon — shoulder arthroscopy as a weekly subspecialist practice, not an occasional case.
- 02
Diagnostic and therapeutic
One anaesthetic, one visit — the joint is inspected and the problem is treated in the same operation.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Key facts
Shoulder arthroscopy at a glance.
The six things worth knowing before you read anything else on this page.
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Definition
Keyhole shoulder joint surgery — a camera and instruments passed through small portals into the glenohumeral and subacromial spaces.
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Day-case under general anaesthetic
Almost always performed under general anaesthetic, often with a regional block, with same-day discharge.
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3–5 mm portals
Two to four small portals — no open exposure of the shoulder joint.
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Combined diagnostic + therapeutic in one
Inspection and treatment are done in the same operation — no separate diagnostic step.
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Complements MRI shoulder
Arthroscopy is planned around, and confirms, the MRI findings — the two are complementary, not competing.
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Foundation for return-to-sport planning
The operation sets the surgical baseline for a staged, sport-specific rehab pathway.
Indicative pricing
What a private shoulder arthroscopy costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner hospitals. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A standard rotator cuff repair in our network: £6,500–£10,000, as a day-case.
| Item | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultant upper-limb opinion | £250–£450 | 45 min | Same visit |
| MRI shoulder | £450–£850 | 30 min | 24–48 hrs |
| Diagnostic shoulder arthroscopy | £3,500–£5,500 | 30–45 min | Day-case |
| Arthroscopic subacromial decompression | £4,500–£6,500 | 45–60 min | Day-case |
| Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair | £6,500–£10,000 | 60–90 min | Day-case |
| Arthroscopic labral (Bankart) repair | £6,500–£10,000 | 60–90 min | Day-case |
| Structured post-op rehab package (12 wks) | £1,200–£2,400 | Programme | Weekly |
Prices vary by hospital, complexity, number of suture anchors used and whether a labral or cuff repair is required. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
Shoulder arthroscopy is only as good as who does it — and who selects for it.
Two things go wrong: the wrong patient (an irreparable cuff, or an arthritic joint), or a general orthopaedic surgeon operating occasionally. We route to an upper-limb subspecialist, and we say no when arthroscopy isn’t the right operation.
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Painful arc after a fall?
Classic rotator cuff or subacromial pathology — MRI first, then a subspecialist opinion.
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Recurrent shoulder dislocation?
We match you to a surgeon who does arthroscopic labral (Bankart) repair as core practice.
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Told you need a shoulder replacement?
If the cuff is massive and irreparable, arthroscopy won’t help — we will tell you so.
The pathway
From first consultation to same-day discharge — what happens, in order.
A single surgical team from consultation to op note, with a rehab pathway that starts within days.
Phase 1 · Before surgery
Consult, MRI, pre-op
Phase 2 · Day of surgery
GA ± regional block · 30–90 minutes
Phase 3 · After
Discharge same day
- 01
Before
Orthopaedic / upper limb consultation
A consultant upper-limb surgeon takes the history, examines the shoulder, and confirms whether arthroscopy is the right route.
- 02
Before
MRI shoulder
High-resolution MRI to characterise cuff, labral, capsular and biceps pathology and plan the operation.
- 03
Before
Anaesthetic assessment
Pre-op review with anaesthetics — general anaesthetic, often combined with an interscalene regional block.
- 04
Day of surgery
Beach-chair or lateral position
Positioning on the table — beach-chair or lateral decubitus — is chosen by the surgeon for the specific procedure.
- 05
Day of surgery
Diagnostic arthroscopy
Systematic inspection of the glenohumeral joint and subacromial space — the diagnostic step.
- 06
Day of surgery
Therapeutic step (repair / release)
Rotator cuff repair, labral repair, decompression, capsular release or biceps procedure — as planned.
- 07
After
Structured rehab plan
Sling, staged physiotherapy and a written milestone plan — the rehab starts within days.
Consult to surgery: 2–6 weeks. Return to desk work: 1–2 weeks.
What it treats
When shoulder arthroscopy is the right operation.
Shoulder arthroscopy answers a specific question — is the pain and dysfunction coming from a treatable intra-articular or subacromial problem? These are the presentations we see most.
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Rotator cuff tear
Partial and full-thickness cuff tears — repaired arthroscopically with suture anchors.
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SLAP tear
Superior labrum anterior-to-posterior tear — repaired or debrided depending on age and demand.
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Bankart lesion
Anterior labral detachment after dislocation — arthroscopic Bankart repair restores stability.
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Subacromial impingement
Bursitis and coraco-acromial arch narrowing — decompression relieves mechanical impingement.
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Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)
Global capsular contracture — arthroscopic capsular release when conservative treatment fails.
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Long head biceps pathology
Biceps tendinopathy or SLAP-associated pathology — treated with tenodesis or tenotomy.
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AC joint arthropathy
Painful acromio-clavicular joint — arthroscopic distal clavicle excision (Mumford) if injections have failed.
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Red flag: massive irreparable cuff tear — reverse arthroplasty pathway
A massive, retracted, irreparable cuff is not an arthroscopic problem — the pathway is reverse shoulder replacement.
Treatment options
What the operation delivers — and the rehab that carries it.
The specific arthroscopic procedures, the physiotherapy pathway, and the multi-disciplinary review for complex cases.
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Rotator cuff repair
Arthroscopic suture-anchor repair of partial and full-thickness cuff tears.
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Labral repair (Bankart)
Anchor-based repair of the anterior labrum after traumatic anterior dislocation.
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Subacromial decompression
Bursectomy and acromioplasty for confirmed subacromial impingement.
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Capsular release (frozen shoulder)
Arthroscopic capsulotomy for refractory adhesive capsulitis after failed conservative care.
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Long head biceps tenodesis / tenotomy
Biceps tenodesis (fixation) or tenotomy (release) for biceps pathology.
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Distal clavicle excision
Arthroscopic Mumford procedure for painful AC joint arthropathy.
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Structured physiotherapy
A staged, procedure-specific rehab programme starting within days of surgery.
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Multi-disciplinary team review
Complex or revision cases discussed jointly with radiology, sports medicine and physiotherapy.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of surgeons, we picked them.
Partners across central London upper-limb practice. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every surgeon in our network.
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Consultant upper-limb surgeons doing shoulder arthroscopy as a subspecialist practice
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MRI shoulder reported by a musculoskeletal radiologist
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Day-case surgical unit with modern arthroscopic tower and shoulder instrumentation
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Shoulder-specialist physiotherapy integrated from the first week
Safety and eligibility
A day-case operation, with real but uncommon risks.
Shoulder arthroscopy is well-tolerated when patient selection is right. The practical points are patient selection, positioning, and a realistic rehab plan.
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Day-case procedure
Home the same day for the majority of patients, in a sling with a written rehab plan.
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General anaesthetic ± regional block
GA is standard, often combined with an interscalene block for post-op analgesia — discussed with the anaesthetist.
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Sling for 4–6 weeks (repairs)
A sling protects the cuff or labral repair through the early healing phase.
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Post-op stiffness is common
Some post-op stiffness is expected and settles with structured physiotherapy — persistent stiffness is a red flag.
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Beach-chair positioning caution
Beach-chair positioning carries a small but real cerebral-perfusion risk — managed by anaesthetics.
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Nerve blocks and diaphragm
Interscalene blocks temporarily paralyse the ipsilateral diaphragm — significant with severe respiratory disease.
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Return to desk work 1–2 weeks
Most patients return to a desk job within 1–2 weeks; overhead work and sport take months.
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Return to sport 4–6 months
Realistic return-to-sport after cuff or labral repair is measured in months, not weeks.
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Bring prior MRI and physio notes
Previous imaging and physio records materially sharpen the operative plan.
Red flags and known complications
- Massive irreparable cuff tear
- Cuff arthropathy
- Suspected shoulder infection
- Post-op adhesive capsulitis
- Suprascapular nerve injury
- Post-repair re-tear
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Anaesthetic complication
Your op note
The operative note can look intimidating. It isn’t.
Whatever was found, the note keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
The op note is written for your GP and physio, not for you — and that’s normal.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and side
Your details, the side operated on, and the confirmed intra-articular pathology.
- 02 Technique
Positioning, portals, findings
Beach-chair or lateral position, portal placement, and glenohumeral and subacromial findings.
- 03 Procedure
What was done, and why
Cuff repair, labral repair, decompression, capsular release or biceps procedure — with rationale.
- 04 Plan
Sling, rehab, follow-up
Sling duration, rehab milestones and when to see the surgeon and physio again.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover depends on your policy and hospital; we confirm with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about shoulder arthroscopy.
Quick answers on candidacy, recovery, risks, and when a shoulder replacement is the better operation.
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What is shoulder arthroscopy?
Keyhole surgery of the shoulder joint. A camera and instruments are passed through 3–5 mm portals into the glenohumeral joint and subacromial space — the joint is inspected and the pathology treated in the same operation, as a day-case under general anaesthetic.
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Am I a candidate?
The best candidates have a confirmed intra-articular problem on MRI — a rotator cuff tear, labral tear (SLAP or Bankart), subacromial impingement, frozen shoulder or symptomatic biceps or AC joint pathology — that has not settled with conservative care. A massive, irreparable cuff tear is not an arthroscopic problem — the pathway is reverse shoulder replacement.
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How long does the operation take?
Between 30 and 90 minutes depending on what is being repaired. A diagnostic arthroscopy or subacromial decompression is short; a rotator cuff or labral repair is longer.
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What is the recovery?
A sling for 4–6 weeks after a cuff or labral repair, physiotherapy from the first week, back to a desk job within 1–2 weeks. Overhead activity is restricted for months and return to contact or overhead sport takes 4–6 months.
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What are the risks?
Uncommon but real: post-op infection, deep vein thrombosis, adhesive capsulitis, suprascapular nerve injury, re-tear of the repair, cerebral-perfusion complication in beach-chair positioning, complex regional pain syndrome and anaesthetic complications.
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When is a shoulder replacement the better option?
When the cuff is massive and irreparable, when cuff-tear arthropathy is present, or when there is diffuse glenohumeral osteoarthritis — a reverse or anatomic shoulder replacement gives better and more durable results than arthroscopy.
Sources
What this page is built on.
- British Elbow and Shoulder Society (BESS).
- NICE. Shoulder pain — guidance and quality standards.
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
- European Society for Surgery of the Shoulder and the Elbow (SECEC/ESSSE).
Last reviewed 2026-07-30. Next review 2027-07-30. Reviewed by Pulse Atlas Editorial Board, .
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In practice, in London
The London pathway for shoulder arthroscopy
With shoulder arthroscopy, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it — not whether the scan is available. Public provision for shoulder arthroscopy is competent but constrained by capacity. Private London clinics tend to have shorter diaries and longer appointment slots, so you get the same specialists with more time. For people who’ve been going round in circles with primary care, that first proper conversation is often what shifts things.
A typical private booking for shoulder arthroscopy in London starts with a consultant conversation — sometimes in person on Harley Street or Marylebone, sometimes on video if that suits better. Any imaging or diagnostics happen at a nearby CQC-registered facility, and reports usually land within 24 to 72 hours. The whole loop, from first call to written report, is often done inside a fortnight. For shoulder arthroscopy specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.
We’re careful about what a private pathway for shoulder arthroscopy can and can’t promise. It can compress a wait, put you in front of a subspecialist quickly, and get a proper report in your hands within a week. It can’t rewrite what the imaging or the bloods say. Setting that expectation up front tends to make the whole experience less stressful.