Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment

Your surgeon will discuss all options available; from physiotherapy to surgery. The right treatment for you will depend on many factors including your age and functional requirements. Surgery may help you achieve more but in many cases is not absolutely necessary.

Physiotherapy

It may be possible to avoid surgery and physiotherapy/rehabilitation can achieve a good result with mobility returning to the shoulder.

Minimally invasive methods (arthroscopy)

Our specialists will describe the various surgical options to you including the use of minimally invasive methods (arthroscopy). This allows our surgeons to take a look into the joint and repair the tendon where possible. The size of the tear, the quality of the tendon and your age are factors which will help to determine whether it can be repaired. The repair can usually be carried out at this time.

There are situations where your surgeon may be able to repair a bigger tear by using an open technique. Your surgeon will discuss all of these options with you prior to any procedure.

Diagnosis: how we determine a rotator cuff rupture

MRI

Using MRI we can visualise the soft tissues of your shoulder. MRI examination offers the most accurate view of the area.

Rotator cuff tear: Symptoms

Patients with a rotator cuff tear may report a dragging or stabbing pain in the shoulder region that can radiate up to the neck area or down to the hand. This pain is typically more severe at night, restricting the ability to have a good night sleep. Moving the arm forwards or to the side may be painful.

Causes: How does a rotator cuff tear occur?

There are many causes behind a rupture of the rotator cuff, however this is usually an attrition tear after years of wear. A minor fall or simply over-reaching may be sufficient to damage the tendons.