Understanding the Details of Rotator Cuff (Shoulder) Surgery
Let’s start off by defining the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is located in your shoulder, which is made up of many ligaments (3 of them are main ligaments) and two sets of muscles that attach to the shoulder. One set of muscles attaches to the top part of the shoulder and the other set of muscles attaches to the lower side of the shoulder.
In this article, we want to focus on the top tendon that attaches to the top part of the shoulder. This is the most commonly torn location of the rotator cuff. We will talk about how a surgeon will go about fixing that particular tear of your rotator cuff. Most notably, when you have a complete rotator cuff tear, a doctor is likely going to repair it surgically. This is especially the case if you are young and active with physical activities. You need your shoulder to be healthy in order to continue doing those types of things!
Let’s Talk about the Surgery Details
With a complete rotator cuff tear, an arthroscopic repair will be performed. Doctors will first cut some port holes (usually 3) into your shoulder. These holes allow the doctors to insert their specialized instruments into the shoulder area to perform the work that needs done to repair the injury.
First, the doctor will insert a camera with a light on it so that he or she can visualize the next steps of the surgery. With the two remaining port holes, the doctor will insert a tube into each hole. These tubes facilitate the insertion of the specialized tools that are needed to perform the remaining steps of the surgery.
Keep this in mind when reading over the next steps
When a complete rotator cuff tear occurs, the tendon on top is completely torn away from the bone itself.
The next tool that is used in this procedure is a shaver. This tool will debride the dead tissue on the area of the tear. Not only does shaving this area create a smooth surface, but roughening up the blood vessels creates a healing response from the body. This is an important step of the healing process that comes into play after the surgery is complete.
Next, the doctor will use a tool to punch a couple of holes into the humorous bone (the upper arm bone that connects to your shoulder). The doctor will then drill into these punched-out holes to clean and smooth them out. The doctor next puts screws into the two holes that were formed. These screws serve as anchors. In fact, think of this step like that of a drywall anchor that you might use when hanging up a picture in your home.
Pulling the Rotator Cuff Back into Position
On the back side of these screws is a suture material (suture strings). Next, a tool will be inserted that will grab that suture material. The suture material will be punched into the tendon. A second tool will grab the suture material and tie a knot to ensure that it is attached to the tendon. The doctor will do this with all of the suture material and then pull it in tightly. Finally, the doctor will clip the ends of the extra suture material. At this point, the rotator cuff tendon is pulled back into position by the use of these sutures.
Let the Healing Process Begin
Once the port holes are closed up, your body will begin the healing process. This again happens because of the debridement process that we talked about earlier. Your body itself will secure that tendon back to the bone itself. In other words, your body will not have to rely only on the sutures to hold it in place. The idea is that your shoulder should end up close to 100% functionality, much like it was before the injury took place.
If you have a rotator cuff injury or any other type of injury from a fall or an accident, contact us today at Dwyer Williams Cherkoss Accident Injury Attorneys for a free case evaluation. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys will work hard to ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve!