In the older patient, arthroscopic debridement of the rotator cuff is very effective at relieving pain.
Arthroscopic surgery for removal of loose bodies and of a torn glenoid labrum would be the current recommended procedure rather than open surgery.
Overall, 180 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee were randomly assigned to receive either arthroscopic debridement, arthroscopic lavage or placebo surgery.
If a rotator cuff tear is confirmed an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is often required.
With arthroscopic washings of the bone, one can often identify the exact location of the punctate bleeding.