A surgical procedure to repair tears in the rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder.
Usually performed arthroscopically through small incisions, the torn tendon is reattached to the bone with small suture anchors. The procedure typically takes one to two hours and is generally day surgery or a short overnight stay.
Assessment includes examination and imaging, usually an ultrasound or MRI, to confirm the tear and its size before planning surgery. Standard preoperative steps apply, including fasting and arranging transport home.
A sling is worn for a period after surgery to protect the repair while the tendon heals to the bone, a process that takes longer than the recovery of pain and early movement might suggest. Physiotherapy progresses through structured stages, with most patients returning to daily activities within a few months and strength continuing to improve for up to a year.
Rehabilitation follows a staged programme: initial protected rest in the sling, then passive movement, then active movement, and finally strengthening, with the pace guided by the surgeon based on the size of the tear repaired. Progressing too quickly risks the repair, while progressing appropriately gives the best chance of a durable result.
Risks include infection, stiffness, and re-tear of the repair, which is more likely with larger or longer-standing tears. The general risks of anaesthesia also apply. Repaired tendons do not always heal completely, which is why closely following the rehabilitation programme and surgeon's guidance matters.
The aim is a comfortable, strong shoulder with the torn tendon healed back to the bone. Most patients experience significant pain relief and improved strength, though outcomes are influenced by the size and age of the tear, tendon quality, and how closely the rehabilitation programme is followed.
Rotator cuff repair reattaches a torn tendon to restore shoulder strength and comfort, using modern arthroscopic techniques with a structured recovery. Most patients experience good improvement, though the size and age of the tear influence how completely it heals.
