Rotator Cuff Repair

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Surgery Overview

Surgery may be used to treat a torn rotator cuff if the injury is very severe or if nonsurgical treatment has failed to improve shoulder strength and movement sufficiently.

Surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff tendon usually involves:

  • Removing loose fragments of tendon, bursa, and other debris from the space in the shoulder where the rotator cuff moves (debridement).
  • Making more room for the rotator cuff tendon so it is not pinched or irritated. If needed, this includes shaving bone or removing bone spurs from the point of the shoulder blade (subacromial smoothing).
  • Sewing the torn edges of the supraspinatus tendon together and to the top of the upper arm bone (humerus).

Arthroscopic surgery is the most common way that this surgery is done. But in some cases, the surgeon needs to do open-shoulder surgery, which requires a larger incision.

What To Expect After Surgery

Discomfort after surgery may decrease with taking pain medicines prescribed by your doctor.

Your arm will be protected in a sling for a defined period of time.

Physical therapy after surgery is crucial to a successful recovery. A rehabilitation program may include the following:

  • As soon as you awake from anesthesia, you may start doing exercises that flex and extend the elbow, wrist, and hand.
  • A physical therapist or a machine may help move the joint through its range of motion.
  • Active exercise (you move your arm yourself) and stretches, with the assistance of a physical therapist, may start 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. This depends on how bad your tear was and how complex the surgical repair was.
  • You'll be taught strengthening exercises a few months after surgery. You'll start with light weights and progress to heavier weights.

Why It Is Done

Surgery to repair a rotator cuff is done when:

  • A rotator cuff tear is caused by a sudden injury. In these cases, it's best to do surgery soon after the injury.
  • A complete rotator cuff tear causes severe shoulder weakness.
  • The rotator cuff has failed to improve with 3 to 6 months of conservative nonsurgical treatment alone (such as physical therapy).
  • You need full shoulder strength and function for your job or activities, or you are young.
  • You are in good enough physical condition to recover from surgery and will commit to completing a program of physical rehabilitation.

How Well It Works

Rotator cuff repair surgery for a tear from a sudden injury works best if it is done within a few weeks of the injury.footnote 1 But repairs of very large tears are not always successful.

Rotator cuff surgery to repair frayed or thinned tendon tissue is less likely to work than surgery to repair an injury to a healthy tendon.

Risks

In addition to the risks of surgery in general, such as blood loss or problems related to anesthesia, complications of rotator cuff surgery may include:

  • Infection of the incision or of the shoulder joint.
  • Pain or stiffness that won't go away.
  • Damage to the deltoid tendon or muscle (if the deltoid is detached, additional surgery may be needed to repair it).
  • The need for repeated surgery because tendons do not heal properly or tear again.
  • Nerve or blood vessel damage (uncommon).
  • Complex regional pain syndrome (rare).

What To Think About

Very large tears [greater than 2 in. (5 cm) or involving more than one rotator cuff tendon] often cannot be repaired by this type of surgery. Grafting and patching procedures are possible. But they are not much better at restoring strength than debridement and smoothing, which are less risky and require less rehabilitation.

Less active people (usually those older than 60) with confirmed rotator cuff tears that do not cause pain, significant weakness, or sleep problems can safely go without surgery unless symptoms get worse.

  • Some people who do not have surgery to repair severe rotator cuff tears develop cuff tear arthropathy, a condition of progressive arthritis, pain, and significant loss of strength, flexibility, and function.
  • In some cases, arthroscopic debridement and smoothing adequately relieves pain and restores enough function to allow daily activities. Surgery to repair the rotator cuff is not needed.
Rotator Cuff Problems: Should I Have Surgery?

Complete the surgery information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you prepare for this surgery.

References

Citations

  1. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and American Academy of Pediatrics (2010). Rotator cuff tears. In JF Sarwark, ed., Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care, 4th ed., pp. 311-316. Rosemont, IL: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Other Works Consulted

  • Beasley Vidal LS, et al. (2007). Shoulder injuries. In PJ McMahon, ed., Current Diagnosis and Treatment in Sports Medicine, pp. 118-145. New York: McGraw-Hill.
  • Lin KC, et al. (2010). Rotator cuff: 1. Impingement lesions in adult and adolescent athletes. In JC DeLee et al., eds., DeLee and Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, Principles and Practice, 3rd ed., vol. 1, pp. 986-1015. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff

Primary Medical ReviewerWilliam H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine

Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine

Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine

Specialist Medical ReviewerKenneth J. Koval, MD - Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Trauma

Current as ofMarch 21, 2017

Current as of: March 21, 2017

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Kenneth J. Koval, MD - Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Trauma