Rotator Cuff Repair
Your rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint. Athletes and older adults are vulnerable to injuring this area. The orthopedic team at Sports Medicine Oregon in Tigard and Wilsonville, Oregon, is skilled in diagnosing shoulder injuries and offers rotator cuff repair to restore function so you can get back to an active lifestyle. Call today or use the online tool to schedule an appointment if you’re experiencing shoulder pain.
Innovation in treating shoulder injuries
Sports Medicine: Specialized Care for Shoulder Injuries
Sports Medicine focuses on treating shoulder injuries that arise from maintaining an active lifestyle. Whether you're an amateur baseball player, a competitive golfer, or a professional tennis player, we are committed to helping you understand the severity of your injury and to support you in returning to peak performance. At Sports Medicine Oregon, we provide top-notch care for athletes at every level.
Personalized Approach to Recovery
As part of your care team, we will collaborate with you to identify your goals. We’ll discuss various treatment and recovery options, as well as the benefits and risks associated with each, to ultimately guide you in selecting the best path for your health and wellness. Our aim is to facilitate your safe return to optimal athletic performance.
Expertise in Shoulder Care
Our specialists concentrate on all facets of shoulder injuries and their treatment. With a profound understanding of shoulder mechanics and physiology, our research-informed treatment programs are tailored to your needs. Many of our clinical experts are athletes themselves, allowing them to grasp the unique demands of each sport and to seamlessly integrate those elements into your rehabilitation and return-to-play strategy.
Rotator Cuff Repair Q&A
What is the rotator cuff?
Your shoulder is an incredibly mobile joint, thanks mostly to the rotator cuff. This group of muscles and tendons connects to the upper arm bone and makes it possible to rotate and lift your arm. The rotator cuff is also important in stabilizing your shoulder joint.
Repetitive overhead motions or acute injuries can result in tears in this connective tissue.
Over time, a small or partial tear in one of the tendons of the rotator cuff can progress to become a large or complete tear. A one-off incident, like a fall or tackle, as well as degenerative wear-and-tear, are usually the cause of rotator cuff injuries.
What symptoms can a rotator cuff injury cause?
A rotator cuff injury can cause pain after a workout or movement-specific pain, such as during throwing. You may lose power in your throw if you’re a pitcher or in the velocity of your strikes if you play volleyball.
Rotator cuff pain may be most notable at night when you’re lying down. You may also experience more pain and weakness when lifting, lowering, or rotating your arm.
The compromised movement and pain are usually due to inflammation of the tendons and muscles of the rotator cuff.
What is involved in rotator cuff repair?
When minimally invasive treatments, like physical therapy and regenerative injections, fail to offer relief and restore movement in your rotator cuff, surgery may be required.
Rotator cuff repair surgery mends a torn rotator cuff tendon. During the procedure, your doctor surgically reattaches the tendon to the bone. If you have a partial tear, the doctors may only need to trim or smooth the area to reduce friction and irritation.
These surgeries are usually performed arthroscopically with small incisions and tiny instruments. That minimally invasive approach means less swelling, faster recovery, minimal scarring, and reduced risk of infection.
What is recovery like following rotator cuff repair?
You usually return home the same day following minimally invasive rotator cuff repair. You’re given comprehensive aftercare instructions that include icing the area as needed to minimize swelling and pain.
Expect to wear a sling for several days or even weeks to allow for proper healing. You can return to a sedentary job within a few days but will need to take more time off for more strenuous work.
Full recovery from rotator cuff repair usually takes several weeks or months, depending on the extent of your tear. You will benefit from a customized physical therapy plan during your recovery. That helps you to strengthen the muscles around the shoulder and restore full function.
If you’re experiencing shoulder pain and suspect a rotator cuff injury, contact Sports Medicine Oregon for an appointment or use the online tool to schedule.