Rotator Cuff Repair

Rotator Cuff Repair Near You in New Jersey

If you’re dealing with persistent shoulder pain from a rotator cuff injury, rotator cuff repair can provide the relief you need. At Interventional Spine & Surgery Group, we provide expert rotator cuff repair near you in central and northern New Jersey. We prioritize fast access to treatment, so you don’t have to live in pain for weeks or months. Learn more about the rotator cuff repair process, what to expect, and our patient-centered approach to care.

Key Takeaways

A rotator cuff tear occurs when one of the tendons in the shoulder pulls away from the upper arm bone.
Rotator cuff repair is a procedure in which a surgeon reattaches a torn tendon to the humerus.
Rotator cuff repair surgery is most often performed arthroscopically with specialized instruments and live video guidance.
Interventional Spine & Surgery Group provides rotator cuff repair surgeries for patients in New Jersey.

What Is a Rotator Cuff?

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons in the shoulder that stabilize the joint and enable arm movements, such as lifting and rotating. They secure the head of the upper arm bone (humerus) into the shoulder socket.

What Is a Rotator Cuff Tear?

A rotator cuff tear is an injury that causes one of the tendons in the rotator cuff to tear or separate from the bone, leading to severe pain, weakness, limited mobility, and clicking sounds. Rotator cuff tears can either be acute or degenerative. Acute tears occur suddenly from an injury, such as a fall or dislocation, while degenerative tears develop over time from aging and repetitive movements. If rotator cuff tears aren’t treated, they can worsen over time and become harder to treat. Therefore, prompt treatment is important to restore shoulder functionality and reduce pain.

Treatment for a torn rotator cuff is typically a surgical procedure called rotator cuff repair. It involves reattaching the torn tendon in the shoulder to the humerus. It is most often performed as a minimally invasive procedure with small incisions and a tool called an arthroscope.

What Should I Expect Before Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery?

Rotator cuff repair surgery is most often recommended for patients with severe, acute tears who have not experienced relief from conservative treatments, such as rest, physical therapy, and steroid injections. If your doctor recommends rotator cuff repair surgery, our medical team will give you guidance on how to prepare, which may include things like:

Stopping certain medications, such as blood thinners or aspirin
Fasting after midnight the night before your procedure
Arranging for a ride home after the procedure

During your preoperative appointment, make sure to ask your surgeon any questions that you may have about the surgery, recovery, or preparation.

How Is Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery Performed?

Rotator cuff repair surgery can be performed in one of two ways. The most common option is called arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, which uses specialized instruments and a small camera to enable visualization. At Interventional Spine & Surgery Group, Dr. Sean Lager prefers to use minimally invasive methods, when possible, to provide less tissue trauma, a lower risk of infection, and a faster healing process. The shoulder arthroscopy process is performed as an outpatient procedure and goes as follows:

The anesthesiologist will use general anesthesia to put you asleep.
Once you’re asleep, the surgeon makes a few small incisions around the shoulder.
The surgeon inserts the arthroscope, a thin instrument with a camera and a light, into the incision.
Using the instrument and the live video guidance, the surgeon removes any damaged tissue and lightly shaves the top of the humerus to encourage blood flow.
The surgeon anchors the tendon back to the bone with strong anchor sutures.
The surgeon removes the instruments and closes the incision with stitches.

Alternatively, rotator cuff repair surgery can also be performed as an open surgery. This involves a larger incision that is opened to provide direct access to the torn tendon. It is most often used when the tear is complex or large, or the patient needs other reconstructive work.

What Follow-Up Care Is Needed After Rotator Cuff Repair?

Since the rotator cuff tendon must heal to the bone, the recovery process is longer than many other orthopedic procedures. Your surgeon will provide guidance on recovery, including things you should and shouldn’t do. This may include:

Wearing a sling: Patients often have to wear a sling for four to six weeks after surgery to ensure the tendon heals correctly to the bone. The sling should be worn at all times, even when sleeping.
Attending physical therapy: Physical therapy is crucial after a rotator cuff repair to rebuild strength, improve range of motion, and prevent re-injury. It involves a gradual progression of therapeutic exercises that get more involved as the healing continues.
Managing swelling and pain: After your procedure, you may have some discomfort, swelling, and bruising. To manage these effects, you can use ice packs to reduce swelling and take pain relief medications to reduce pain.
Attending follow-up appointments: You will have multiple follow-up appointments with your surgeon after your surgery. They will assess your healing and range of motion at different points of your recovery.

The healing process after rotator cuff repair can take anywhere from four to six months for average tears and up to 12 months for severe tears. As you continue healing, you can gradually return to activities such as driving and working. Your surgeon and physical therapist will let you know when you can fully resume activities without putting your healing at risk.

About Dr. Sean Lager

At Interventional Spine & Surgery Group, orthopedic procedures are performed by Dr. Sean Lager, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Lager has fellowship training in sports medicine and vast experience in arthroscopic procedures, including rotator cuff repair. He prefers to use arthroscopic and minimally invasive techniques over open procedures to help patients heal more quickly and with less surgical trauma.

Dr. Lager also has personal experience as an athlete who had to undergo surgery after an injury. He takes this personal experience and uses it as inspiration to provide patients with the highest quality care. Whether patients experience a rotator cuff tear from sports, a work injury, or degenerative changes, he approaches each case with compassion and dedication.

Find Expert Rotator Cuff Repair Near You in New Jersey

When you need a trusted provider for rotator cuff repair, turn to Interventional Spine & Surgery Group. We take a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, with a team of orthopedic surgeons, pain management specialists, physical therapists, and other specialists who collaborate on each case. We also aim to see patients as quickly as possible to reduce the time spent waiting for treatment.

At our practice, we also help remove the burden from patients by coordinating care ourselves. We can schedule imaging scans, handle authorizations, coordinate follow-ups, send referrals, and more. When you don’t have to worry about coordinating appointments and authorizations from different providers, you can focus on healing. At Interventional Spine & Surgery Group, we can see you now, we care, and we’ll help you get better. To schedule an appointment near you in central or northern New Jersey, contact us today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rotator Cuff Repair

What is rotator cuff repair surgery?

Rotator cuff repair surgery is a procedure that reattaches a torn rotator cuff tendon to the humerus. It can be done arthroscopically or via traditional open surgery.

Who is a good candidate for rotator cuff repair?

Good candidates for rotator cuff repair include patients who:

Have a complete or large tendon tear
Have significant shoulder weakness or loss of function
Have not seen effective relief from three to six months of non-surgical treatments

How long is the recovery from rotator cuff surgery?

It depends on the extent of the tear, but it often takes between four and six months for average tears. For massive tears, it can take up to a year.

What are the benefits of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair?

Compared to open surgery, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair offers benefits like:

Reduced surgical trauma
Reduced post-op pain
Lower chance of infection and complications
Faster healing

What are the risks of rotator cuff repair?

Although rotator cuff repair is typically safe, it can come with risks like infection, bleeding, or post- surgery issues, such as persistent stiffness and limited range of motion.

How effective is rotator cuff repair?

Rotator cuff repair is an effective treatment for rotator cuff tears. Some studies have shown that 90% of patients are happy with their results six months after the surgery.

How soon after rotator cuff surgery can I lift my arm?

After rotator cuff surgery, you shouldn’t lift your arm until you get your sling off, which can take between four and six weeks. Generally, it’s recommended to wait at least six weeks before lifting your arm unassisted or overhead.

Do I need physical therapy after rotator cuff surgery?

Yes, you will need physical therapy after rotator cuff surgery to help you rebuild strength, improve your mobility, and help your shoulder heal properly.