Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair – How Do You Know If Its Right For You?
In the past the traditional method for repairing a torn rotator cuff was to use the “open method” in which a large incision was made over the outside aspect of the shoulder. From here the surgeon could separate the muscles to see the rotator cuff, find the torn part and repair it. This type of surgery had its problems and because of that a newer technique called the “arthroscopic rotator cuff repair” was developed. This article will discuss the latter procedure. The arthroscopic repair uses smaller incisions and a small camera and instruments to perform the repair. The camera is inserted through a small incision and the surgeon can view the inner workings of the shoulder on a TV monitor. The repair can then be made. The arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is made with small instruments. The surgeon makes three small incisions called portals. The camera is inserted through these portals and the tissue structures can be viewed on a television monitor. The surgeon can also insert small instr
