Rotator Cuff Tears: Surgical Treatment Alternatives

Rotator Cuff Surgery most often involves re-attaching the tendon to the head of the humerus. A partial tear, anyhow, may require only a trimming or smoothing process called a debridement. A complete tear within the thickest portion of the tendon is fixed by stitching the two sides back together.

When Is Rotator Cuff Surgery Recommended? 

Your doctor may suggest you rotator cuff surgery for a torn rotator cuff tears if your pain does not improve with non-surgical procedures. Continued pain is the primary symptom for surgery. If you are very active and use your arms for overhead work or sports, your doctor may also recommend an operation.

Other signs that indicate surgery to be a good alternative for you to include:

• Your indications have lasted 6 to 12 months
• You have a large tear
• You have critical weakness and loss of function in your shoulder
• Your tear was caused by a recent, acute damage

Surgical Treatment Options

The three techniques mostly used for rotator cuff surgery repair includes traditional open repairs, arthroscopic repair, and mini-open repair. In the end, patients rate all three repair procedures the same for pain relief, strength improvement, and overall satisfaction.

• Open Repair

A conventional open surgical incision is often required if the tear is greater or complicated. The surgeon makes the incision over the shoulder and detaches the shoulder muscle to see better and gain access to the torn tendon. During an open repair, the surgeon typically separates bone spurs from the underside of the acromion (the procedure is called as acromioplasty). An open repair may be a good alternative if the tear is large or complex or if new reconstruction, as a tendon transfer, is indicated. Open repair was the first skill used for torn rotator cuff. Over the years, newly advanced technology and well-trained surgeons experience have led to less invasive methods.

• All-Arthroscopic Repair

During arthroscopy, your surgeon injects a small camera, called an arthroscope, inside your shoulder joint. The camera displays pictures on a television screen, and your surgeon uses these images to guide miniature surgical tools. Because the arthroscope and surgical tools are thin, your surgeon can use tiny incisions (cuts), rather than the larger incision required for standard, open surgery. All-arthroscopic repair is usually an outpatient method and is the least invasive method to fix a torn rotator cuff.

• Mini-Open Repair

The mini-open repair uses new technology and tools to perform a redress through a small incision. The incision is typically 3-5 cm long. This skill uses arthroscopy to assess and treat injury to other structures within the joints. A bone spur, for example, is often separated arthroscopically. It avoids the need to uncouple the deltoid muscle. Once the arthroscopic part of the procedure is finished, the surgeon fixes the rotator cuff through the mini-open incision. During the tendon fixation, the surgeon views the shoulder structure directly, rather than through the video monitor.  

Outcome of Surgery

The majority of patients reported improved shoulder strength and less pain following surgery for a torn rotator cuff.

Each surgical repair skill (open, mini-open, and arthroscopic) has similar outcomes regarding pain relief, improvement in strength and function, and patient satisfaction. Surgeon expertise is more vital in achieving satisfactory outcomes than the choice of technique.

Rotator Cuff Surgery In India

India is the leading country in the field of the medical tourism industry. Rotator cuff surgery is done by the well-trained and highly experienced surgeons of India. Also, rotator cuff surgery cost is available at a very reasonable price in India. It is the main reason that patients from the abroad throng to India for undergoing various surgeries as the price of different treatments are cost-effective and affordable at the same time.