Rotator Cuff Repair

Rotator Cuff Repair Treatment in MRC Nagar, Chennai

Overview of rotator cuff repair

The rotator cuff refers to the assortment of muscles and tendons that connect the humerus, which is the upper arm bone to the shoulder blades. The humerus is held in the shoulder socket by the rotator cuff. There are four muscles in the rotator cuff, namely, the supraspinatus, the infraspinatus, the teres minor, and the subscapularis. These muscles are all connected to the humerus with the help of a tendon. If there is a tear in any of these tendons, rotator cuff repair is done to heal it.

In the surgery done to repair a torn rotator cuff, the tendon is re-attached to the humerus. In a partial tear, the tendon might require only trimming or debridement. In a complete tear, the tendon is stitched back to its original position on the humerus.

For further information, you should contact an Orthopaedic specialist near you.

How is rotator cuff repair done?

You will be given anesthesia which will either put you to sleep or numb the area of the surgery. You can either get a shoulder arthroscopy in which small incisions are made over your elbow or an open surgery where one large incision is made on the elbow.

In the procedure, the surgeon will make a small incision on your shoulder, and then insert a tiny camera inside it. This tiny camera device is referred to as the arthroscope. They can view the inside of the shoulder and then check for problems. The surgeon will then make one to three more small incisions to put other instruments. These instruments will then help in re-attaching your tendon to your bone.

When the tendon is attached back into its original place, the surgeon will fix it there with sutures or rivets. These rivets are made of metal and eventually with time dissolve, and hence, don’t need to be removed.

If the rotator cuff has a large tear, you might need a traditional open surgery. In this case, a large incision will be made instead of the small one like in the arthroscopy. This incision has to be about 2.5 to 4 inches long for open surgery or 1.25 to 2 inches for mini-open surgery.

When the tendon is attached, the surgeon will ensure that it is secure. They will also check that the shoulder can operate completely and move fine. The incision will then be stitched back together using stitches or staples. You can consult an Orthopedic Hospital near you for more information about the surgery.

Who qualifies for rotator cuff repair?

Anyone who has a torn rotator cuff will be recommended rotator cuff repair surgery. If you have extreme pain in your shoulder that does not go away even after a while, you should consult an Orthopedic doctor near you.

Request an appointment at Apollo Hospitals, MRC Nagar, Chennai

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment.

Why is rotator cuff repair surgery conducted?

You won’t be recommended for surgery as the first treatment for your injury. You will be recommended to ice the shoulder, give it proper rest and do certain special exercises to help it heal. If it is a small injury, these treatments might be enough. If the tendon is torn, however, ice and rest may decrease the pain but it won’t repair the tear. In such cases, surgery might be recommended.

Surgery will be recommended when:

• Shoulder pain lasts for more than six months and persists even after physical therapy
• The weakness in your shoulder doesn’t let you conduct daily activities
• You are an athlete
• Your work involves manual labor

Rotator cuff surgeries are usually recommended to patients who have pain due to an injury, not because of a chronic condition.

Benefits of rotator cuff repair

After the surgery, you will be given some pain medications. You will experience some pain. You will not be allowed to do strenuous activities for a while and be asked to use crutches. But soon, you will regain your range of motion. You will be able to return to your normal schedule. Athletes can go back to playing their sports. Rotator cuff repair helps in reducing pain and the risk of future injuries. You should contact Orthopedic Doctors near you for more information.

Risks of rotator cuff repair

Like every other surgery, rotator cuff repair surgery can cause infections, nerve damage, and excessive bleeding. However, these happen in rare cases and the procedure is safe to undergo.

References

https://www.healthline.com/health/rotator-cuff-repair#risks

Rotator Cuff Tears: Surgical Treatment Options - OrthoInfo - AAOS