Rotator Cuff Surgery

Rotator Cuff Surgery Overview

Rotator cuff injuries are perhaps the most common types of shoulder injuries. Nonsurgical treatment options treat the majority of rotator cuff injuries. Surgery may be recommended to treat complete rotator cuff tears. Rotator cuff surgery is more advanced than ever. Board-Certified and Fellowship-Trained Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) shoulder specialists are rotator cuff surgery experts.

How is a rotator cuff surgery performed?

A CONA specialist repairs the tear and attaches the tendon(s) to the bone. One of the three approaches may be used:

• Minimally invasive
• Mini-open
• Open

The overwhelming majority of rotator cuff surgeries are performed minimally invasively because:

• Less surgical trauma is created (no shoulder muscles are cut)
• Less pain is experienced
• Response to physical therapy is excellent
• Recovery is quicker

What conditions can rotator cuff surgery treat?

Rotator cuff surgery is the ideal treatment option for complete rotator cuff tears.

What are rotator cuff surgery advantages?

Complete rotator cuff tears do not heal on their own. A rotator cuff repair is often a better treatment option than lifestyle changes. The tear is repaired and the patient returns to a normal life with minimal to no restrictions after recovery.

What is rotator cuff recovery like?

Physical therapy is an important part of the recovery process. During one-on-one physical therapy sessions, the patient regains shoulder strength, flexibility and function. Patients who are dedicated to physical therapy and follow all of their CONA specialist’s recovery instructions recover quickly and receive the best results.