Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat rotator cuff tears. During the procedure, a surgeon makes small incisions in the shoulder and inserts a small camera called an arthroscope, which displays the inside of the shoulder on a monitor. This allows the surgeon to see the extent of the tear and make repairs with smaller instruments and smaller incisions.
Arthroscopic surgery is a preferred method of treating rotator cuff tears because it allows for smaller incisions, less tissue damage, and a quicker recovery time compared to traditional open surgery. However, not all rotator cuff tears can be treated with arthroscopic surgery. The type and extent of the tear will determine if arthroscopic surgery is the best treatment option.
A rotator cuff tear is repaired using a combination of anchors and stitiches. Anchors are small implants made of a biocomposite material that have sutures or stitiches attached to them. The stitches are then passed through the edge of the tendon and attached to their normal position on the bone. Over time, the biocomposite anchor will reabsorb into your bone, the stitiches will remain permanent. In specific situations, it may be recommended to augment your repair with a collagen implant (Regeneten). This is used to increase the ability of your tear to heal properly and heal stronger to prevent re-injury in the future. Not all tears will need to be augmented with a collagen implant in order to heal.
Arthroscopic surgery is typically an outpatient procedure, and patients can usually return home the same day. After surgery, physical therapy is often necessary to help the patient regain strength and range of motion in the affected shoulder.
Next Steps
We hope this helped to answer some of your questions about rotator cuff tears. If you're experiencing symptoms of a rotator cuff tear, it's important to seek guidance from a medical professional. If you’d like to schedule a consultation with us, click on the Schedule Consultation button at the top of the screen or give us a call at 303-344-9090 to request an evaluation from Dr. Thon. Thank you for reading and we look forward to helping you achieve life, without injury.