Basics of Shoulder Arthroscopy Part II: Diagnostic Arthroscopy in the Beach-Chair Position

Abstract

Shoulder arthroscopy is a popular modality for the treatment of shoulder pathology. Since its advent in the 1970s, significant advancements have been made in both technology and technique. Shoulder arthroscopy is performed in either the beach-chair or lateral decubitus positions, and each position has its unique benefits and considerations. Beach-chair positioning, initially described in the 1980s, has become the preferred method of positioning for most arthroscopic procedures. In this work, we describe the history of beach-chair positioning for shoulder arthroscopy. We outline a reproducible and teachable method for consistent and comprehensive diagnostic arthroscopy in the beach-chair position. Pearls, pitfalls, advantages, and disadvantages of diagnostic arthroscopy in this position are discussed. When properly executed, diagnostic arthroscopy in the beach-chair position can effectively identify and characterize intra-articular shoulder pathologies.