Surgery may be used to treat a torn rotator cuff, Opens dialog if the injury is very severe or if nonsurgical treatment has not improved shoulder strength and movement sufficiently.
Surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff tendon usually involves:
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. (This is called subacromial smoothing).
Sewing the torn edges of the supraspinatus tendon together and to the top of the upper arm bone (humerus).
Arthroscopic surgery, Opens dialog 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.
You may reduce discomfort after surgery if you take pain medicines prescribed by your doctor.
Your arm will be protected in a sling for a time.
Physical therapy, Opens dialog 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.
Active exercise (you move your arm yourself) and stretches, with the help of a physical therapist, may start several 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.
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 aren't 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.
Along with 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, more 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. (This isn't common.)
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.
Clinical Review Board All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Clinical Review Board All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
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.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit webmdignite.com.
