2 April 2018,
 0

arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

The shoulder is a complicated joint made up of several parts. One of these is the rotator cuff, a group of tendons and muscles that attach the arm bone to the shoulder blade and keep it in place in the shoulder socket. There are multiple ways in which the rotator cuff can be damaged, ranging from isolated injury to degeneration over time. Genetics, age and inflammation can all predispose one to rotator cuff issues. While many rotator cuff problems can be treated with conservative methods such as steroid injections, physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medication, some require arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Some common signs of a rotator cuff condition include:

  • – Pain that radiates from the front of the shoulder joint into the side of the arm
  • – Tenderness, pain and/or aching in the shoulder joint
  • – Pain and/or weakness when raising and lowering your arm
  • – Difficulty reaching behind your back without pain
  • – Trouble rotating your shoulder as usual

 

Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

If you’ve experienced any of these symptoms and tried first-line treatments for rotator cuff issues without getting full relief, you may be a good candidate for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery. This procedure can be used to repair severe rotator cuff tears caused by a single injury or a chronic condition such as tendonitis. Painful bone spurs can also be removed during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery.

During this procedure, your orthopedic surgeon will make a few small incisions. He or she will insert a small instrument called an arthroscope that will have a camera attached to it and project an image of the inside of your shoulder joint onto a TV monitor. The surgeon will use this technology to repair torn rotator cuff tendons, to repair cartilage injuries and to address other shoulder issues.

Compared to open surgery, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery offers several notable benefits. These include less trauma, less damage to the surrounding tissue and less scarring. Furthermore, patients who undergo this procedure enjoy a relatively short recovery time in most cases.

Explore Your Shoulder Care Options with Dr. Soffer

If you are experiencing persistent symptoms of a rotator cuff issue, you may be wondering if arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is a viable form of treatment for you. With extensive experience in diagnosing and treating rotator cuff problems, Dr. Stephen R. Soffer can recommend the best shoulder care option for you. To schedule an appointment with him, call our office at 610-375-4949. And if you’d like to learn more about the various types of shoulder surgeries Dr. Soffer performs, visit our recent blog post. We look forward to helping you get on the path to recovering from your shoulder condition.


Print pagePDF pageEmail page

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *