Rotator Cuff Repair
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their tendons that surround the shoulder joint. The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint which allows large degrees of movements. The rotator cuff serves an important role in improving the stability of the shoulder and also coordinates with other muscles around the shoulder to move the arm.
What are the symptoms Rotator cuff ?
- Pain
- Weakness
- Inability to lift heavy objects
- Difficulty lifting arm above shoulder height
- Difficulty sleeping on the affected shoulder
- Stiffness in long standing cases
How is it diagnosed?
Clinical examination supported by scans [ultrasound and MRI]
What are the treatment options available?
- Rest – will be helpful in cases of partial tears, followed by physical therapy.
- Most patients get better with thorough physiotherapy
- Painkillers for small duration
- Physical therapy – postural correction of scapula humeral dynamics, strengthening the intact muscles to compensate the torn muscle
- Cortisone injections – to be used with caution, as it can weaken the soft tissue and delays healing in patients who require surgical repair
- Surgery – indicated for acute tears, chronic tears which do not get better with time, chronic tears in patients less than 50 years, massive tears with retraction
- Consequences of untreated symptomatic rotator cuff tear is permanent pain and disability due to rotator cuff arthritis
