Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair
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A rotator cuff tear is a common injury of the shoulder. The tendon can get torn in a fall due to a traumatic event. It can also be due to overuse where repetitive overhead activities causes wear and tear of the tendon. Pain is the most significant symptom with a rotator cuff tear. Loss of range of movement in the shoulder follows. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, which involves minimally invasive surgical techniques, helps to heal the tendon back to the bone. The operation is usually takes place in the day for such surgeries. Rehabilitation of the shoulder post operation takes about 6 months before patients return to functional activities.
Treatment
Treatment for rotator cuff tears ranges from conservative rehabilitation to surgical interventions to repair the torn tendon. Conservative treatment involving rehabilitative exercises is usually the primary course of action. Surgical repair is indicated for a rotator cuff tear that does not respond to conservative management or the tear was found to be large causing severe weakness, loss of movement and function. The decision for conservative management or surgical repair also depends on the patient’s severity of symptoms, functional requirements, and presence of other illnesses that may complicate treatment.
What is Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair
Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair involves small incisions on the outside of the shoulder. Small surgical instruments are passed through to allow the surgeon to suture or stitch the torn tendon back to the arm bone and allow it to heal. Sometimes the surgeon may remove any scar tissues or bone spurs that may disrupt the healing process.
The advantage of arthroscopic surgery is that a smaller incision causes less pain in the shoulder joint following surgery because it does not require splitting up muscle layers in the shoulder as with the traditional approach. Smaller incisions also mean less superficial scars which is aesthetically more appealing. However, recovery time for the arthroscopic repair is the same as the traditional surgical approach.
To protect the repaired tendons after the surgery, you will be placed on a sling. Rehabilitation with a physiotherapist will start early to reduce the post-operative pain and stiffness. The rehabilitation will progress towards increasing shoulder range and strength after 6 weeks when the tendon heals into the bone. It takes motivation and commitment from the patient to take part in the rehabilitation progress as the whole process takes about 6 months before return to sports or function.
Although most arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs are done as a day surgery, it may sometimes be necessary to stay overnight in the hospital if the doctor needs to monitor the recovery, especially if there is an underlying medical condition.