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Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery for Restoring Shoulder Function and Relieving Pain

To help you discuss rotator cuff repair surgery as a treatment option with your orthopedic surgeon, here’s a breakdown of this surgical procedure.

What Is the Rotator Cuff?

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles in the shoulder joint that provides stability to the shoulder joint while enabling a wide range of movements.

Rotator cuff tears are commonly caused by forceful injuries or degenerative changes that occur slowly with age or overuse.

What Is Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery?

Rotator cuff repair is a surgery to repair an injured or torn rotator cuff. 

It is usually performed arthroscopically using a small, fiber-optic instrument called an arthoscope consisting of a lens, light source, and video camera. The camera projects images of the inside of the joint onto a large monitor, allowing the orthopedic surgeon to look for any damage, assess the type of injury and repair it. 

Rotator cuff repair surgery may be necessary if the patient: 

  • Does not respond to non-surgical treatment options
  • Has severe shoulder pain and experiences loss of strength
  • Wants to return to sports soon

How Is Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery Performed? 

The orthopedic surgeon performs rotator cuff repair surgery according to the following guidelines:

  • The orthopedic surgeon makes one or more incisions near the shoulder joint.
  • The surgeon inserts an arthroscope through the incision.
  • The surgeon inserts miniature surgical instruments and removes the damaged part of the tendon and injured surrounding tissue.
  • The surgeon sews the damaged ends of the tendon together. 
  • The surgeon may use a suture anchor to reattach a completely torn tendon to the bone. 
  • The surgeon closes the incision and covers it with a bandage.

What Happens After Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery? 

The orthopedic surgeon prescribes pain medicines or NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to manage pain. The patient’s shoulder is placed in a brace or cast. The patient may perform specific physical therapy exercises as they heal, and may return to normal activities after six months. 

What Are the Risks and Complications of Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery? 

As with any surgery, some of the potential risks and complications of rotator cuff repair surgery may include bleeding, infection, pain, swelling, and damage to the bones or surrounding soft tissues.

Torn rotator cuffs can be terribly painful — and tremendously disruptive to your day-to-day, quality of life. If you have torn your rotator cuff, we can help.