Shoulder · Sacramento, CA
Shoulder arthroscopy for cuff, labrum, and instability.
Shoulder arthroscopy treats rotator cuff tears, labral injuries, and instability through small incisions using a camera and specialized instruments. Dr. Jonathan D. Hughes — fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon and Sacramento Kings team physician — performs the full spectrum of arthroscopic shoulder surgery in Sacramento.
Arthroscopic shoulder surgery
What Dr. Hughes treats.
- Rotator cuff repair: precision arthroscopic repair for partial and full-thickness tears, including patch augmentation and reconstruction techniques for massive or recurrent tears.
- Shoulder instability & labral repair: arthroscopic stabilization for dislocations and labral tears (including SLAP and Bankart lesions), with remplissage or bone-block procedures when bone loss demands it.
- Biceps tendon disorders: arthroscopic tenodesis or tenotomy for biceps tendon pain and instability, often combined with cuff repair.
- Subacromial decompression & AC joint care: arthroscopic treatment of impingement and AC joint conditions when conservative care has been exhausted.
What to expect
From evaluation to return.
- Evaluation first: a structured shoulder exam and imaging review establish the diagnosis; many shoulder conditions warrant a dedicated trial of non-operative care before surgery is considered.
- Outpatient procedure: most shoulder arthroscopies are same-day procedures performed through several small portals.
- Protected early recovery: repairs are protected in a sling initially, then progressed through published, criteria-based rehabilitation phases with your physical therapist.
- Return to sport and work: overhead athletes and physical workers follow structured return programs — the same framework Dr. Hughes uses for professional and Division I athletes.
Recovery, documented
Rehabilitation protocols you can download.
Dr. Hughes publishes his post-operative protocols so patients and physical therapists can follow the same criteria-based plan used for elite athletes. Protocols related to this area of care:
Common questions
Common questions, answered.
Who performs shoulder arthroscopy in Sacramento?
Dr. Jonathan D. Hughes, MD, PhD, performs shoulder arthroscopy in Sacramento, California through Sutter Health. He is a fellowship-trained shoulder and sports medicine surgeon and a team physician for the Sacramento Kings and Sacramento State Athletics.
Do all rotator cuff tears need surgery?
No. Many partial tears and some full-thickness tears do well with structured physical therapy. Surgery is recommended when the tear pattern, symptoms, and your goals make repair the better option — a decision made together after examination and imaging review.
How long does recovery take after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair?
The repaired tendon needs months to heal to bone, so recovery is measured in months, not weeks — typically with early protected motion, then strengthening, then a graduated return to full activity. Dr. Hughes’s published protocols define each phase and its criteria.
Sacramento, California
Start with an evaluation.
Dr. Hughes sees patients through Sutter Health in Sacramento. Whether you have imaging in hand or just a joint that won’t cooperate, a consultation is the first step.
Book a consultation