The rotator cuff is a complicated mix of muscles and tendons that cover your bone. A rotator cuff injury can make everyday tasks frustrating to complete. Since the rotator cuff has many moving parts, identifying the correct issue is pertinent to avoid long-term damage to surrounding muscles. If you have pain in your rotator cuff, let the top-rated orthopedic doctors at Tennessee Orthopedic Alliance in Eastern Tennessee confirm the diagnosis before obtaining treatment. Your doctor may recommend getting rotator cuff surgery. As with any surgery, knowing what to expect and when it may be appropriate for you is helpful.
What are Rotator Cuff Injury Symptoms?
If you have a rotator cuff injury, you will experience pain in your shoulder area that may feel deep in the muscle. Specific pressures, like laying on the affected side, may increase pain. Lowering and extending your arms will similarly be painful. You may hear and feel cracking or ‘grating’ noises when moving it in a specific direction. You will likely have limited mobility and experience severe discomfort or pain. If your pain is severe, our orthopedic urgent care walk-in clinics are available for quick, convenient care.
What Causes Rotator Cuff Injuries?
Two leading causes of rotator cuff injuries include acute tears or degenerative tears. An acute tear results from an action that may have pulled the muscle too much, such as a sports-related injury or falling on an extended arm. A degenerative tear is typical wear-and-tear and can happen as we age or with excessive use of this set of muscles. This may also be referred to as a partial tear. Activities like painting, lifting weights, and sports with repetitive arm movements can contribute to quicker degeneration.
There are some other potential causes of rotator cuff injuries. Older patients may have some bone spur or blood supply issues, making healing more difficult on the body. Bone spurs can build up over time and cause shoulder impingement, which causes spurs to irritate the shoulder muscles. Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis) is when the tendons around the shoulder joint are irritated and cause pain. Bursitis may also lead to shoulder pain, but this issue results from repetitive motions causing the bursa to swell and creating irritation. It can also be from an infection.
How do I Know if I Need Rotator Cuff Surgery vs. Conservative Treatment?
There are many rotator cuff treatment options available. Non-surgical rotator cuff treatments such as rest, ice, bracing, and medication are usually suggested as a first course of treatment. If these are not successful, you may need surgery. Waiting too long for rotator cuff surgery can be harmful, and surgery should be done immediately if required. Surgery is usually recommended if your injury has not gone away over several months of other treatments, if the tear is substantial, or if it dramatically affects your lifestyle. There are several surgical options to fix the muscles, some more intensive than others.
What Types of Rotator Cuff Surgeries are Available at Tennessee Orthopedic Alliance?
There are two primary types of surgery for rotator cuff injury. One is an arthroscopic repair, and the other is an open tendon repair. Arthroscopic repairs make minor cuts into your arm to insert tools and a camera for repair. Open repairs are for more significant injuries to the area and result in a larger incision. The surgeon will then detach your shoulder muscle to provide easy access to the set of tendons in the area. If you have bone spurs, reconstruction is needed, or if the tear is substantial, this is a good option.
Most surgeries are outpatient, so you won’t need to stay overnight at the hospital or facility. After the surgery, you will likely be monitored to ensure your body is adjusting well and there are no complications, medication issues, or allergic reactions. Since these are surgeries, you will be put under general anesthesia. Be transparent with your doctors and surgeons about what medications you are on, what diagnosis you may have, and things your body reacts poorly to.
What are the Risks and Benefits of Rotator Cuff Surgery?
If you have extensive damage to the area, getting surgery will be the best option for long-term results. However, it’s important to note that recovery from rotator cuff surgery isn’t easy. It will initially be painful and take some time to recover fully. You will be in a sling and will likely experience pain and discomfort as you heal. Physical therapy is encouraged to build movement and strength. It will likely take several months to recover and regain your range of motion.
While surgery will undoubtedly help your mobility, things like finances may play a large part in your decision. Check with your insurance company to see what coverage you may have when planning for the cost of surgery. You should include physical therapy and follow-up appointments in your budget. Be prepared to take some time away from work if needed. While rotator cuff surgery is an excellent option, it is a significant decision that should include all considerations.
Rotator Cuff Specialist Consultation in Eastern Tennessee
Rotator cuff surgery is a joint surgery that can improve your quality of life. The success rate is relatively high, with approximately 64% of patients showing signs of healing after one year and almost 82% after five years. If you’re suffering from rotator cuff pain, book an appointment with one of the best rotator cuff surgeons at Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance to start your journey to a pain-free life.
