Rotator cuff repair is a surgical procedure to fix a torn tendon in the shoulder, aiming to restore shoulder function and flexibility. The surgery can be performed either as an open surgery or using shoulder arthroscopy, which involves smaller incisions.
Rotator cuff tears can result from various causes. They may occur suddenly, for example, from falling on an outstretched hand, or they can develop over time due to repetitive shoulder motions common in sports. While these tears are frequent among athletes, they can also occur due to trauma or aging.
A rotator cuff tear can indeed weaken your shoulder, making simple tasks like combing your hair or getting dressed painful and challenging.
At Kimball Health Services, we understand the impact shoulder pain can have on your daily life. Our orthopedic team is committed to providing advanced rotator cuff repair solutions to address tendon tears and treat associated injuries.
The shoulder is a "ball and socket" joint, where the ball-shaped head of the upper arm bone (humerus) fits into a socket called the glenoid. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that form a cuff over the shoulder joint, covering the head of the humerus.
Each shoulder has a rotator cuff that connects the shoulder blade (scapula) to the upper arm bone. The rotator cuff enables you to raise your arm overhead and rotate it towards and away from your body. These muscles and tendons hold the arm in its joint and provide stability to the shoulder.
Rotator cuff repair is used to address various shoulder injuries and conditions, often involving tears in the rotator cuff tendons. Common conditions treated with rotator cuff repair include:
The rotator cuff can sustain either a full or partial tear. Treatment will depend on the severity of the injury and the extent of the tear.
Rotator cuff repair surgery may be necessary if:
Rotator cuff repair surgery focuses on reattaching the torn tendon to the head of the humerus (the upper arm bone). The procedure usually involves:
For partial tears, a trimming or smoothing procedure called debridement may be sufficient.
Rotator cuff tears can be repaired through various types of surgical procedures. Specific procedures are selected based on the severity of your injury, the extent of the tear, and the condition of the surrounding tissues.
For large or complex tears, open repair surgery is often necessary. This traditional approach involves making a surgical incision several centimeters long, which provides direct access to the torn tendon.
During the procedure, a large muscle is gently moved aside to visualize and repair the tendon. Open repair may also be chosen when additional reconstruction, such as tendon transfer, is needed.
Arthroscopic repair is a minimally invasive procedure performed using a small camera, called an arthroscope. The arthroscope is inserted into your shoulder joint through a small incision.
The camera transmits live video feed to a monitor, guiding the surgeon in repairing the torn tendons through additional small incisions.
The mini-open repair combines aspects of both open and arthroscopic techniques. It begins with arthroscopy to assess and treat damage to other structures within the joint. Damaged tissues or bone spurs are removed or repaired arthroscopically.
Afterward, the surgeon repairs the rotator cuff through a smaller incision compared to traditional open repair.
In cases where massive rotator cuff injuries or tears cannot be repaired due to their size or the age of the tear, partial or complete shoulder replacement may be necessary. Shoulder replacement involves replacing worn-out or damaged parts of the shoulder joint with artificial components called prostheses.
Following surgery, you may have to wear a sling, possibly accompanied by a shoulder immobilizer, for four to six weeks. These aids help support and stabilize your shoulder during the initial healing phase.
Recovery from surgery typically takes four to six months, depending on the size of the tear.
Physical therapy can help restore motion and strength to your shoulder after surgery. The duration of therapy will depend on the type of surgery and your individual needs.
At Kimball Health Services, we specialize in rotator cuff surgery to help restore your shoulder function and reduce pain. Our dedicated team is committed to empowering you to live life to the fullest.
As one of the top critical access hospitals in the nation, we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.
In case of an emergency, call 911 or walk into our emergency department anytime. For appointments, call us at 308-235-1966 or fill out our online form. We're here for you whenever you need us.
