Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery

What is rotator cuff repair surgery?

Rotator cuff tears can develop on any of the four muscles and tendons that connect the shoulder blade to the upper arm. From people who work physical jobs to athletes, the amount of stress so many of us put on our shoulder makes it more likely for rotator cuff injuries to occur. The most serious rotator cuff tears may require rotator cuff repair surgery.

This is a term for a procedure where the surgeon accesses the shoulder to either reattach a rotator cuff ligament, or clean out the shoulder joint to allow for proper healing. To get a better understanding of this type of procedure, the USA Spine Care Team has prepared the following guide. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions or would like to learn more.

Who is a candidate for rotator cuff repair?

In very many cases, rotator cuff tears do not require surgery. Upon diagnosis of a tear, doctors will recommend a course of rest, activity modification and conservative treatments. Common options include over-the-counter medication, ice and physical therapy. It is very important not to overexert your shoulder when recovering from a rotator cuff tear, as it can worsen the injury.

Surgery is generally seen as a last-resort treatment, generally becoming an option in the following situations:

• Pain and mobility problems are severe
• The tendon has completely detached
• The tear has worsened
• Symptoms are not responding to conservative treatments

Rotator cuff repair overview

There are different approaches to rotator cuff repair surgery, and procedures can often be performed on an outpatient basis with the assistance of microsurgical and visualization technology. In most cases, the goal is to access the shoulder and fully or partially reattach the torn soft tissue to the bone. Depending on the nature of the procedure, different materials such as sutures and plastic rivets may be used to reattach the tendon.

In other situations, the surgeon may need to perform a cleaning, or debridement, of the shoulder if there are growths or inflamed tissue that is preventing the rotator cuff from healing properly.

After the procedure, the surgical team will provide full discharge and rehabilitation instructions. This will include guidelines on how to care for the incision and when to resume activities.

Rotator cuff repair cost considerations

Costs can vary for rotator cuff repair surgery depending on a number of factors. This includes the type of procedure, whether there is a hospital stay, and the insurance carrier. Medicare will typically cover total shoulder replacement surgery when deemed necessary by a physician. USA Spine Care facilities accept Medicare, most private health insurances, as well as workers’ compensation and personal injury cases. One of our representatives can help you find answers to your questions regarding cost.

Get in touch with the USA Spine Care Team today

To learn more about our full range of treatment options for rotator cuff repair, including conservative and surgical treatments, reach out to our USA Spine Care team today.

Call toll free 1- 866-249-1627.