Torn rotator cuff surgery is performed by the specialty-trained surgeons at Tidewater Orthopaedics, who provide a complete range of progressive treatments for all conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, including the shoulder. As the largest independent orthopaedic practice on the Peninsula, we see patients from the Hampton, Newport News, and Williamsburg, Virginia, communities, including some of the area’s most talented athletes.
A relatively common injury, a rotator cuff tear occurs when the tendons that stabilize the ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder pull away from their insertion point on the humerus (upper arm bone). This can happen suddenly as the result of trauma, such as a fall onto an outstretched hand, or develop gradually due to stress from repetitive activity or the natural aging process. The hallmark of a rotator cuff injury is pain when the arm is raised upward or toward the side. When the associated discomfort is severe or unresponsive to conservative treatment, surgery may be necessary.
The goals of torn rotator cuff surgery are to relieve pain and restore flexibility and function to the shoulder. The type of surgery recommended by the orthopaedic experts at Tidewater Orthopaedics in Hampton Roads will depend on several factors, including:
One option that is appropriate for some patients is shoulder arthroscopy, a minimally invasive approach to rotator cuff repair. During the procedure, a surgeon reattaches a rotator cuff tendon by accessing the shoulder through small incisions. Also known as keyhole surgery, this technique generally results in a faster recovery with less inflammation, discomfort, and scarring than an open surgery approach.
If you are experiencing shoulder pain and would like to speak with an expert at Tidewater Orthopaedics about the treatment options we offer our patients in Hampton and Williamsburg, VA, including torn rotator cuff surgery, call us at (757) 276-3743.