Pitching a baseball or engaging in other activities that involve your shoulder can put you at increased risk for rotator cuff tears. At his orthopedic surgery office in Vero Beach, Florida, Omar D. Hussamy, MD, offers customized treatment plans to repair a rotator cuff tear. Dr. Hussamy uses the latest surgical techniques to treat damaged tendons and relieve chronic shoulder pain. If you can’t lift your arm over your head without pain, you may be a candidate for rotator cuff tear surgery. Call or request an appointment online today.
What is a rotator cuff tear?
Your rotator cuff is a group of tendons that keep your shoulder joint in its socket. These tendons attach your upper arm bone to your shoulder blade and make it possible for you to lift and rotate your arm.
You can develop tears in your rotator cuff from overuse injuries or trauma. Tears can be partial or full-thickness tears. A full-thickness tear causes the tendon to completely separate from the bone.
What are the symptoms of a rotator cuff tear?
A rotator cuff tear can be painful, especially if you lay on the affected shoulder. You may also experience pain and weakness when you lift or lower your arm.
If you develop a rotator cuff tear from a fall, you may feel intense pain soon after the injury. You may also hear a snapping or cracking sound.
You might be limited in what you can do with your shoulder and find it difficult to reach your arm over your head to do things like wash your hair or remove your shirt.
What treatments are available for rotator cuff tears?
Nonsurgical treatments for a rotator cuff tear focus on healing the damaged tissue and easing your pain. You may benefit from over-the-counter anti-inflammatories and pain relievers to keep you comfortable.
If you’re not getting relief from your pain and do not notice improved mobility with conservative therapies, you may be a candidate for shoulder surgery.
The goal of rotator cuff surgery for a full-thickness tear is to repair torn tissue and reattach the tendon to the head of your upper arm bone. Dr. Hussamy and the team use Smith+Nephew® rotator repair implants to replace severely damaged tendons.
When the tear is only partial, Dr. Hussamy may trim the tendon during a procedure known as debridement.
What can I expect after rotator cuff surgery?
After surgery, you might need to participate in physical therapy to restore function in your shoulder joint. Dr. Hussamy also continues to monitor your healing through follow-up appointments.
He can recommend resources to help you prevent additional rotator cuff injuries if you participate in sports or other high-impact activities.
To find out if you’re a candidate for surgery to treat a rotator cuff tear, call Omar D. Hussamy, MD, or book an appointment online today.