[Shoulder arthroscopy: setting, portals and normal exploration.]

Arthroscopy has been established as a valuable technique in diagnosis and treatment of the injured and deseased shoulder. Arthroscopy is not a new diagnostic tool but offers new approaches to the surgical treatment of shoulder pathology. Shoulder arthroscopy is usally performed under general anesthesia or/with scalene block. The patient is positioned in opposite lateral decubitus position or in beach chair position. Diagnostic arthroscopic is initiated with insertion of the arthroscope from the posterior portal into the gleno humeral joint. Inspection should be organized systematic visualization of the entire joint (articular surfaces of the glenoid and humeral head, glenoid labrum, long head of the biceps tendon, sub scapularis tendon, axillary pouch, capsular ligaments, synovial membrane). Then endoscopic visualization of the subacromail space is a valuable and essential adjunct to the gleno humeral arthroscopy (impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tears, calcific tendinitis, acromio-calvicular joint disorders).