Get a detailed diagnosis and suitable treatment for rotator cuff repair in India at Max Health . Consult the highly experienced surgeons to undergo Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery.
Rotator cuff surgery is performed in patients with a torn rotator cuff – a group of muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint that keeps the upper arm firmly in the shoulder joint socket. The surgery can be performed traditionally – with an open incision, or minimally invasively/arthroscopically.
Rotator cuff injuries are very common, mostly in older people or people who frequently perform overhead motions, like painters, carpenters, etc. Normally, rotator cuff injuries happen over time and can be treated conservatively if caught in time. However, severe tears or tears that occur due to a single trauma are normally treated surgically.
Max Health is one of the largest surgery care providers in India, with orthopedic centers established in almost all major cities in India. It also has a team of expert orthopedic surgeons on panel to help provide advanced orthopedic care to all patients.
Some other services provided by Max Health include complete insurance and hospital documentation support, easy payment plans like no-cost EMI, etc. It also provides cab facility to the patient for pick up and drop off from the hospital on the day of surgery and complimentary meals during hospitalization.
If you have a rotator cuff tear or any other orthopedic ailment, you should consult us immediately for expert orthopedic surgery in India.
The treatment for rotator cuff repair surgery begins with a thorough diagnosis. Diagnosis usually includes physical examination and imaging tests. During the physical examination, the surgeon will examine the joint movement and function, to determine the cause and severity of the injury.
Common imaging tests performed for rotator cuff tear diagnosis include:
Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, the surgeon will discuss your treatment option with you. Most mild to moderate tears are managed conservatively – through medications, steroid injections, and physical therapy. However, in case of severe rotator cuff tears, surgery is recommended.
The surgery is generally performed under general anesthesia, but sometimes regional anesthesia may be given if only minor repair is needed. Once the anesthesia has taken effect, the incision is made and the tendon is either repaired (re-attached to the bone using small rivets called anchors or sutures) or replaced using a tendon graft. In severe cases, the entire shoulder joint is replaced. Finally, the incisions are closed and dressed.
Before the rotator cuff repair surgery, you should follow the given preparatory steps to ensure treatment success and comfort during the treatment journey:
Most people are discharged after overnight hospitalization if there are no complications. The patient has to wear a sling or shoulder immobilizer to keep the shoulder immobile for around 4-6 weeks, maybe more – the exact duration depends on the type of surgery.
Complete recovery can take about 4-6 months, depending on the severity of the tear, patient’s healing ability, physical therapy, etc. There may be some pain initially – that can be managed through over-the-counter painkillers. The patient must keep up with their physiotherapy as prescribed to ensure restoration of complete joint function and range of motion.
Rotator cuff surgery is generally performed in patients with rotator cuff injury or tear. It can occur as a result of a progressive wear and tear of the tendon tissue over time due to prolonged joint use during heavy lifting, overhead activities, etc.
Some signs of rotator cuff injury you should look out for are:
Sometimes the pain is absent or very short-lived, and the only sign of the injury is difficulty in performing arm functions. Pain can also be a sign of tendinitis or inflammation of the bursa.
Surgery is considered a good option if – the symptoms have lasted over 6-12 months despite treatment, the tear is larger than 3 cm., and if there is severe arm weakness and lack of joint motion.
Tears are most common in people over the age of 60. Common risk factors that can lead to rotator cuff tears are:
Benefits of rotator cuff surgery are:
While a partial tear doesn’t necessarily require surgery, however in case of a complete tear, surgery is the best course of treatment
Change your dressing once every 2 days, or as suggested by your physician. Do not disturb the sutures or incisions. Wrap a watertight bandage around the wound to keep the incision dry while showering or taking a bath.
You should wait at least 4-6 weeks before playing sports or putting pressure on your shoulder joint, however, you should always seek approval from your surgery provider before doing so.
The surgery generally takes about 60-90 minutes, depending on the complexity of the injury and type of surgery.
Physical therapy typically begins within the first 6 weeks following the surgery, depending on the type of surgery, surgeon and patient preference, etc. Shoulder strengthening generally begins about 12 weeks after the surgery.
You should avoid performing active range of motion (AROM) and aggressive and painful passive range of motion (PROM) movements of your shoulder along with activities like pushing yourself up from a lying or seated position with the affected arm, and movements that provoke muscle guarding/spasm.
Recovery is usually quicker after arthroscopic surgery compared to open surgery, but in either case, you should follow the given tips to enhance your recovery from rotator cuff surgery:
Rotator cuff repair surgery is generally very safe, especially in case of arthroscopic surgery, however, there are certain complications that can occur, such as:
Complications usually occur during rotator cuff repair if the patient has weakened rotator cuff muscles before the surgery, or has a very large tear. The surgery may also fail if the patient does not diligently follow post surgery care tips and physiotherapy.
You should follow the given steps to prevent the occurrence or recurrence of a rotator cuff injury:
