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Rotator Cuff Surgery & Recuperation

Rotator cuff surgery repairs tears to tendons in the shoulders. The success of each stage is important to the final outcome. Recuperation, after the surgery is a long process.

  1. Rotator Cuff Surgery

    • Rotator cuff surgery is a major procedure performed to repair tears in the shoulder(s). The overall goal is to repair, and reattach the tendons to the humerus (upper arm bone).

    The Procedure

    • The surgeon makes an incision in the shoulder, to gain access inbetween the frontal and medium portion of the deltoid muscle, and also split the seam, to reach the rotator cuff. The scar tissue is removed, and the rough edges from the rotator cuff, and the humerus (upper arm bone) are shaved, to get access in between the acromin and deltoid.

    Function

    • The surgeon joins good tendon to the healthy sections of the humerus. In some cases acromioplasty (removal of bone over the rotator cuff) is performed, but is avoided, to prevent scarring and weakening of the deltoid.

    Post Surgery

    • Sutures (surgical threads) are used to pull the tendon edges together, to make the cuff edges smooth, and pass easily beneath the deltoid and acromion. The deltoid muscle, and outer skin incision is closed, to heal internally and externally.

    Recuperation

    • Recuperation is at least one year. Morphine or Demerol is injected immediately after surgery for pain, and then oral pain medication such as hydrocodone or Tylenol with codiene, is given. Rehabilitative exercises are vital to alleviate
      stiffness.

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