What You Need to Know About Rotator Cuff Repair

Have you had severe, chronic, worsening pain and loss of motion in your shoulder? If so, you could have a torn rotator cuff. There are a few different treatments that can be tried to treat an injured shoulder, but a common solution is rotator cuff repair surgery. Here’s what you need to know about this procedure.

What Is Rotator Cuff Repair?

The rotator cuff is a group of tendons that connect the muscles of the shoulder to the upper arm bone. These muscles are responsible for your range of motion of the shoulder joint and arm. If one or more of these tendons are damaged, it could require surgery to repair. When you have a torn rotator cuff, you will experience weakness in the arm and limited motion. Repairing the damage surgically will usually correct both of these problems, as well as decrease pain.

Two Types of Rotator Cuff Repair

There are two different types of surgery that might be used to repair the rotator cuff. The most preferred option is minimally invasive and involves much smaller incisions; but if the damage is severe or affects more than one tendon, open surgery may be necessary. Open surgery is just what you would normally think of as surgery—making a large incision to access an area of the body. Most surgeons will attempt minimally invasive methods first, with the stipulation that they may have to switch to open surgery once they begin.

Potential Complications

There are several different complications that may occur during or after your rotator cuff repair. Most surgeries are successful with no complications, but it is important to be prepared for the possibilities. Some of the potential complications include:

  • Excess bleeding
  • Blood clots
  • Infection
  • Negative reactions to anesthesia
  • Nerve damage
  • Shoulder stiffness

Alternatives to Rotator Cuff Repair

If damage to a tendon is only partially torn or stretched, it may be possible for your shoulder injury to be treated without surgery. Your orthopedic doctor will be able to suggest the best treatment for your particular condition. They may ask you to try physical therapy or other measures first.

One of the treatments that we offer is stem cell therapy. With stem cell therapy you can speed up the healing process and improve your chances of recovering without surgical intervention. If you are interested in our alternative treatments to avoid surgery, contact us today to schedule your initial appointment.