If You Need Surgery
If your injury doesn't improve with other treatments, your doctor may suggest surgery. Rotator cuff surgery can treat impingements, calcium deposits, or complete tears. Depending on your injury, you may need to stay overnight at the hospital or surgery center.
Before Surgery
Ask your doctor how long you will be away from home so you can plan ahead.
Don't eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery. Your stomach needs to be empty when you're given the anesthetic.
Don't take aspirin or other anti-inflammatories the week before surgery, unless your doctor says you can.
Arrange for a ride home from the hospital.
Bring any x-rays or other medical records or forms your doctor asks you to bring.
Keep a positive attitude. You're on your way to feeling better.
Arriving at the Hospital
After you check in at the hospital or surgery center, you may have routine blood tests. Your arm may be placed in a sling, wrap, or splint. Your anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will most likely talk with you about the type of anesthetic you'll be given.
Risks and Complications
As with any surgery, complications may arise. These include:
- Infection
- Injury to nerves or blood vessels
- Stiffness or ongoing pain in your shoulder
Your doctor will discuss any other risks with you.
Arthroscopic Surgery
An arthroscope (a pencil-shaped lighting and lens system) gives your doctor a detailed look at your rotator cuff. It also allows him or her to do surgery without large incisions. Tiny instruments are inserted through incisions smaller than a buttonhole. This surgery can be used for such things as making more space for tendon movement or repairing minor tears.
The acromion is shaved to create space between it and the rotator cuff. This helps prevent irritation during shoulder movement.
Damaged tissue and small flaps are removed from around the injured tendon. Small tears are repaired.
Open Surgery
To repair complete tears in your rotator cuff, open surgery is usually needed. The incision is larger than in arthroscopic surgery. Healing and rehabilitation may take longer.
Space is increased between the acromion and the torn rotator cuff tendon.
The torn tendon is trimmed. Then a small, rough area is made on the humerus.
The tendon is secured to the humerus with sutures, anchors or tacks.
This content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Only your doctor can diagnose and treat a medical problem. © 1990, 1995, 1998, 2000 The StayWell Company, 1100 Grundy Lane, San Bruno, CA 94066-3030. www.krames.com 800-333-3032. All right reserved.