What is a Rotator Cuff Repair?

A rotator cuff repair is an arthroscopic surgical procedure to repair a partially or completely torn rotator cuff. A rotator cuff repair was performed for many years as an open incision procedure, but modern surgical techniques and equipment allow the overwhelming majority of rotator cuff repairs to now be performed arthroscopically. In some cases, a mini-open or small incision approach is used. A rotator cuff repair is performed on an outpatient basis under general anaesthesia. Procedure steps are:

• Two to three tiny incisions are made and an arthroscopic camera and shaver device are passed through them
• Pieces of a damaged tendon, cartilage, and bone are smoothed
• Suture anchors attach the torn tendon to the bone and repair tore tendon ends
• Incisions are carefully closed and covered with dressings and the patient is placed in a comfortable sling

Total procedure time is usually less than an hour depending on the complexity of the tear.

Patients who have their rotator cuff repair performed by our Board Certified and Fellowship Trained Shoulder Specialists can look forward to a complete symptom relief and a full recovery.

Patients who injure their shoulder should make an appointment with a Shoulder Specialist as soon as possible.