The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that keep the upper end of your arm bone within the shoulder socket and stabilize the shoulder. This is quite a difficult task given the wide range of movement that is possible at the shoulder joint. Tears in the rotator cuff can often be quite a challenge to repair, but due advances in rotator cuff surgery almost all rotator cuff injuries, that are not amenable to conservative management, can be successfully repaired by rotator cuff surgery.
The following are some of the advances in rotator cuff surgery:
- Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: The development of shoulder arthroscopy enables your surgeon to repair torn muscles of the rotator cuff with less damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Torn tendons can also be securely fixed with minimal use of suture knots that might irritate the articulating surfaces of the joint.
- Knotless rotator cuff repair: The knotless suture anchor has a unique design that allows soft tissue to be connected to bone without the need for knot tying. This is particularly useful when performing minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery where knot tying can be very difficult.
- Rotator cuff repair using biodegradable materials: The use of biodegradable materials allows your surgeon to create a very sturdy rotator cuff repair using multiple implants without having to worry about complications arising from foreign bodies left within the shoulder because these materials will eventually be absorbed into the body.
If you have had a recent shoulder injury that does not seem to be getting better with conservative treatment and you are experiencing significant impairment in shoulder function, consult your doctor or an orthopedic specialist for more information on advanced treatment options that might resolve your condition.
NewportCare Medical Group is a comprehensive specialty group located in Newport Beach, California offering a wide range of services ranging from conservative and non-operative treatments to advanced and minimally invasive surgical procedures for patients with musculoskeletal problems in the Newport Beach and Orange County areas of California.
