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- Shoulder Rotator Cuff Repair: Let’s regain the strength
Shoulder Rotator Cuff Repair: Let’s regain the strength
- Written by dr_vipul_vijay
- Published October 6, 2022
Are you suffering from severe shoulder pain and shoulder weakness? Have you met with an accident that has led to strained shoulder muscles? Do your symptoms persist even after months of treatment and medications??? If yes, then this blog is for you.
Rotator cuff is the group of four tendons which are needed for lifting your arm up and also for rotation of the shoulder.
Shoulder rotator cuff tear is one of the commonest causes of shoulder pain and weakness. Despite the increasing demand for surgical repair of rotator cuffs among the general population, the knowledge about the treatment is sparse.
What is rotator cuff repair surgery??
Rotator cuff repair is a surgical procedure done to repair a tendon that is injured or torn in the shoulder. There are three surgical options: Open incision
- Shoulder arthroscopy(small incisions)
- Mini – open repair
Indications for rotator cuff repair
Patients with intact shoulder cartilage and
- Patients who suffer from a full-thickness tear in the rotator cuff
- Patients who are unresponsive to medications and injection therapy
- Patients who need to use their shoulders for overhead elevation
Causes of rotator cuff tear:
- Injury
- Dislocated shoulder
- Overuse in elderly people(degenerative tear)
- Prolonged and repeated bouts of the heavy lifting
Signs and symptoms that appear when you have encountered rotator cuff tear
- Deep aching in the shoulder
- Difficulty or pain when you raise your hand above shoulder level.
- weakness of arm
- Difficulty in reaching behind your back
How is shoulder rotator cuff repair surgery done???
You will be either under general or regional anaesthesia and that depends on your physician’s opinion. The main goal of this surgery is to re-attach the tendon to the humerus head and restore its function and flexibility.
Partial tear – Repaired by a trimming procedure called debridement
Complete tear – Stitching of the torn tendon back to the original position
The new part of the thighbone is inserted into the ball socket of the hip, followed by drainage of fluid, if any. The muscles are attached again and the incision is closed.
Since hip replacement surgery is major surgery and is done only when your hip does heal even after doing physiotherapy, and steroid injections.
Now, let's discuss various types of surgical procedures.
Open repair:
This is the traditional method and is applicable if you suffer from a large tear and if there is a need for additional reconstruction. A large open incision is made and the torn tendon is made visible and bone spurs are removed, followed by stitching of the torn cuff.
Shoulder arthroscopy:
A minute camera and surgical instruments are inserted through small incisions. It is the least invasive method and is usually an outpatient procedure. It is an alternative to traditional open repair.
Mini – open repair:
The incision is smaller compared to the traditional method. Initially, the arthroscopic procedure is done to assess and treat the damaged structures. Following this, the surgeon focuses on repairing the rotator cuff through a mini-open incision.
Implants
Special implants are needed for the repair of the rotator cuff. Special small suture anchors are needed to fix the tendon to the bone.
How long will it take to recover from rotator cuff repair??
- Immediately after surgery pain relief medications are prescribed and you are advised to keep it immobile in a sling for about 3 weeks. After this period on the advice of your doctor, passive exercises can be started under the supervision and guidance of a physical therapist.
- After 3 weeks, you can slowly start doing exercises without the help of a therapist. From 8 to 12 weeks, you can start doing strengthening exercises.
- Full recovery might take about 4 to 6 months, but make sure you are consistent in the path of improvement.
Like any other treatment, this procedure also involves certain complications like nerve injury, infections, stiffness, and tendon retear. To avoid these complications and to experience the best outcome make sure you are in the hands of an experienced surgeon and follow their instruction.
We can help you lead a pain-free life!!!
dr_vipul_vijay
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Dr Vipul Vijay
Dr. Vipul Vijay is an orthopaedic surgeon who is well versed in all basic and complicated orthopaedic surgeries with special expertise in primary and complex joint replacement, arthroscopy of the upper and lower limb and complex trauma.
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