Rotator cuff surgery: Reconnect to a pain-free shoulder

Aug 20, 2018

Senior man stretching his arm - Rotator cuff surgery — Rotator cuff surgery followed by physical therapy restores range of motion and strength for many patients with shoulder injuries.

A rotator cuff injury is a real pain. A sudden injury causes sharp, intense pain and weakness. A degenerative injury causes dull, achy pain that may get worse over time.

Surgery may be recommended depending on the severity of the injury and symptoms. A full tear or a partial tear causing significant pain warrants surgery, said Dr. Thomas J. Bramwell, a Marshfield Clinic Health System orthopedic surgeon.

In most cases, the surgery is done using a minimally-invasive arthroscopic procedure. Sometimes a small open incision may be used as well. The surgeon re-attaches the damaged tendon to the bone using anchors and sutures.

Is rotator cuff surgery right for you?

Patients regain strength and range of motion after surgery. On the other hand, people with untreated rotator cuff tears may develop arthritis in addition to the existing shoulder injury.

“Someone who has severe arthritis or unhealthy rotator cuff tissue because of a longstanding injury may not be a candidate for rotator cuff repair surgery,” Bramwell said. “They would be facing another type of surgery, such as a shoulder replacement.”

The procedure is safe and has low risk of infection. People who smoke or have diabetes have higher risk of the tendon not healing to the bone properly. Bramwell recommends quitting smoking before surgery to improve chances of better healing.

Recovery starts with motion, then strength

Most people spend six weeks after rotator cuff surgery in a sling with an abduction pillow that holds their arm away from their body to remove tension from the shoulder. The goal is to allow the tendon to heal to the bone.

Patients start physical therapy to restore range of motion about six weeks after surgery. Physical therapists begin with passive motion, which means they do the work to move the arm in all directions. Later, they begin to work on active motion and strength with patients.

Restoring range of motion can take quite a bit of time after being immobilized,” Bramwell said. “If you can get your range of motion back, you can get your strength back.”

Most people return to normal activities in three to six months, depending on the physical demands of their lifestyle and job. Mobility and strength gains continue for a year after surgery.

11 responses to “Rotator cuff surgery: Reconnect to a pain-free shoulder”

Pamela Schultz

Aug 8, 2019

I had rotator cuff surgery in ambulatory and slept through the night just two days later with only acetaminophen on board. This hadn’t happened for nearly three years. I listened to and followed all the steps in physical therapy. Of course there was some discomfort in the beginning but truthfully it was less than the positional discomfort I had before the surgery. I’m so grateful to Marshfield Clinic for the outstanding care!

Reply
1. Jacob Zipperer
  
  Aug 9, 2019
  
  Hello Pamela,
  
  We're so glad to hear you are doing well. Thanks for reaching out and for reading Shine365!
  
  -Jake
  
  Reply
Linda

Aug 8, 2019

I had rotator cuff surgery in one shoulder and a replacement in the other. Recovery and therapy were tough but worth it. Dr. K was wonderful and is an excellent surgeon. I am playing golf and enjoying all sports again. Well with it!

Reply
1. Jacob Zipperer
  
  Aug 9, 2019
  
  Hi Linda,
  
  Glad to hear that you are doing well! Thanks for reaching out and reading Shine365 🙂
  
  -Jake
  
  Reply
Pharmacycenter

Aug 30, 2018

Surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff is often successful in relieving pain in the shoulder. The procedure may not always return strength to the shoulder. Rotator cuff repair can require a long recovery period, especially if the tear was large.

Reply
Karen R

Aug 24, 2018

I had rotator cuff surgery and therapy in Marshfield. It was a great success, and I have no regrets on having it done.

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Dave P

Aug 24, 2018

I was advised at Marshfield to have shoulder replacement surgery soon as pain would steadily increase. Decided to have 2nd opinion elsewhere, was checked for pain and range of motion, was advised to continue therapy. Now I'm five years after injury, still have some localized pain, but no pain killers and am doing OK. Glad to have stayed away from surgery so far.

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Bob BOWEN

Aug 23, 2018

Had a RC tear 8 months ago. Had X-rays, CT scan, Physical Therapy and 2 orthopedic opinions, Orthopedic MDs recommended total reverse shoulder replacement, although the second opinion MD said I could do nothing and see what happens since adjacent muscular tissue may develop positive support to displace the torn RC function. To date, there has been no pain, generally normal function of the injured shoulder and no significant change in use patterns. Given the potential negative impact of total reverse shoulder replacement, I am pleased that I chose not to have the surgical procedure.

Reply
1. Dave P
  
  Aug 24, 2018
  
  similar experience
  
  Reply
Terry Johnson

Aug 23, 2018

Rotator surgery at Marshfield was a complete fail, very painful, waste of time, and money. The pain is just as bad as before the surgery, as soon as therapy ended the muscle shrunk up so now my reach is half of what it was before the surgery. I have other friends that went though this and their outcome was similar to mine. They even told me not to do it but I didn't listen. Avoid this surgery!

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Dorothy Greeb

Aug 23, 2018

A very good surgeon is #1 for having the rotator cuff surgery; then post-op with the BEST physical therapist is really the most important decision to make. I underwent the surgery but had a very poor therapist; look for one that has had further clinical instruction for shoulder and rotator cuff surgeries. I ended up with a frozen shoulder but thankfully found a therapist with the clinical background to break down the tissues; it was painful but worth it as now I have complete ROM with arm and shoulder.

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