Rotator cuff repair is a type of surgery to fix a torn tendon in the shoulder. The procedure can be done with a large ("open") incision or with shoulder arthroscopy, which uses small button-hole sized incisions.
DescriptionThe rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that form a cuff over the shoulder joint. These muscles and tendons hold the arm in its "ball and socket" joint and help the shoulder to rotate. The role of the tendons is to hold the powerful shoulder muscles to the shoulder and arm bones. The tendons can be torn from overuse or injury.
Your doctor will first check your shoulder with a small camera (arthroscope) to look at the tear and determine if it can be fixed. The arthroscope is inserted into the shoulder through a small poke-hole. The camera is connected to a video monitor. The surgeon looks around the entire joint to check the cartilage, tendons, and ligaments of your shoulder.
After evaluating the shoulder joint, the surgeon places the camera in the space above the rotator cuff tendons, called the subacromial space. The surgeon can check the area above the rotator cuff, clean out inflamed or damaged tissue, and remove a bone spur (subacromial spur).
If a tear is going to be fixed, the surgeon may perform the surgery with a larger, open incision. Other surgeons use the arthroscope and 1 to 3 additional small poke-holes or smaller incisions to perform the surgery. The additional small incisions allow the surgeon to insert other instruments to repair damaged tissue.
The goal is to attach the tendon back to the bone where it tore off. The tendon is attached with sutures. Small rivets (called suture anchors) are often used to help attach the tendon to the bone. The suture anchors can be made of metal or material that dissolves over time, and do not need to be removed.
At the end of the surgery, the incisions are closed, and a dressing is applied. If arthroscopy was performed, most surgeons take pictures of the procedure from the video monitor to show you what was found and what was done.
Why the Procedure Is PerformedRotator cuff repair may be recommended for shoulder problems such as:
The risks for any anesthesia are:
The risks for any surgery are:
Additional risks include:
Surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff is usually very successful at relieving pain in the shoulder. The procedure may not always return strength to the shoulder. Rotator cuff repair can require a long recovery period, especially if the tear was large.
In many cases, arthroscopy reduces the need to surgically open the shoulder joint. This can result in less pain and stiffness. In cases of repair, the body still needs to heal after arthroscopic surgery, just as if it were open surgery, so the overall recovery time will still be long.
Outlook (Prognosis)The recovery can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months, depending on the size of the tear and other factors. You may have to wear a sling for 1 to 6 weeks after surgery. Pain is usually managed with medications.
When you can return to work or play sports will depend on the surgery that was performed, but it will usually take several months to resume your regular activities.
Physical therapy may help you to regain the motion and strength of your shoulder. The length of therapy will depend on the repair that was performed.
ReferencesMatsen FA III, Fehringer EV, Lippitt SB, Wirth MA, Rockwood CA Jr. Rotator cuff. In: Rockwood CA Jr, Matsen FA III, Wirth MA, Lippitt SB, eds. The Shoulder. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:chap 17.
Miller RH II, Dlabach JA. Shoulder and elbow injuries. In: Canale ST, Beatty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 44.
severe rotator cuff injury
Very Painfull!
A tear of the supraspinatus is a tear of the rotator cuff of the shoulder. Arthroscopic surgery is the repair to repair for this.
what muscles make up the rotator cuff
Cpt code 29827
The rotator cuff injury by itself should not , however, many of the injuries that can affect the rotator cuff can also impact the nerves.
Possible rotator cuff? as in your shoulder.
v code for rotator cuff injury
v code for rotator cuff injury
Yes, Teres Minor is considered a rotator cuff muscle.
The mild rotator cuff tonden refers to the muscles that connect the shoulder blade to the upper arm.
Hello, I see you are asking "What are the symptoms for rotator cuff disease? "Symptoms of a rotator cuff disorder include pain and weakness in the shoulder. Most often, the pain is on the side and front of the upper arm and shoulder. It may hurt or be impossible to do everyday things, such as comb your hair, tuck in your shirt, or reach for something. orthopedicshealth. com/condition/rotator-cuff-disease/c/37114