Thirty years ago, arthroscopic shoulder surgery revolutionized the field. With this technique, the shoulder is visualized using a camera inserted through a small incision, and surgical tools are introduced through additional tiny openings, leaving only minimal scars. This advancement largely resolved the stiffness issue, which is now rare.

However, a new challenge arose: preparing the bone tunnels arthroscopically proved difficult. As a result, suture anchors, typically made of metal or plastic, began to be used. While effective, these anchors introduce another issue—they often cause more postoperative pain than tunnels and occupy crucial bone space where the tendon must heal.

Nonetheless, some orthopedic surgeons have persisted in developing advanced tools to facilitate arthroscopic tunnel preparation. Our latest device, the Drillbone Tunneler, allows for highly precise and reliable tunnel creation. We are delighted to report that our patients experience minimal postoperative pain, and many are able to sleep comfortably and return to normal activities within days.