How is a major injury to the rotator cuff tendon repaired?
The arthroscopic is extremely helpful when repairing rotator cuff tendons. Sometimes it is necessary to add a “mini-open” procedure if the patient’s bone is too soft to allow for arthroscopic repair. Using the arthroscopic allows visualization of the interior of the joint to facilitate trimming and removal of fragments of torn cuff tendon and biceps tendon. The next step utilizes the arthroscope to visualize the spur and thickened ligament beneath the acromial bone, while they are removed with miniature cutting and grinding instruments. If it is necessary to suture a rotator cuff tear, this can usually be accomplished arthroscopically without having to make any large incisions on the shoulder. Small suture screw anchors are used in the arthroscopic repair to hold the rotator cuff tendon in position until it heals to it’s insertion site on the humerus bone. Arthroscopic surgery is video-taped both for the medical record and for patient education. Patients are encouraged to look at their
