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Rotator cuff repair is an operation that repairs the damaged rotator cuff tendons in the shoulder. The operation is useful for people that have rotator cuff tears that are causing significant symptoms.
The operation is performed through an arthroscope (keyhole surgery). The joint is inspected to confirm the extent of the damage present. Subacromial decompression is usually performed to clear away inflamed tissue and bone spurs that are irritating the rotator cuff. The torn tendon is then freed of scar tissue and repaired back to the bone using anchors and sutures.
There are other problems that may be present in your shoulder at the same time as a torn rotator cuff, such as AC arthritis or damage to the long head of the biceps tendon. Depending on the severity of these problems, other procedures such as distal clavicle excision and biceps tenodesis may be performed at the same time as the rotator cuff repair.
Following rotator cuff repair surgery, patients are generally able to return home the day after the operation. You will have a sling for your arm and will get a referral to a physiotherapist. There are restrictions on how much you can move your shoulder; these are necessary to prevent you from inadvertently damaging the shoulder before the repaired structures have fully healed. Once the repaired tendon has healed you will still require extensive physiotherapy to regain the movement and strength of your shoulder.
For more information on rotator cuff repair, we recommend contacting our surgeons for an initial consultation.
