Rotator cuff arthroscopic surgery is used to repair the rotator cuff tear
by reattaching tendon to upper arm bone. As name insists, this surgery
is done using arthroscope.
Need for
Rotator Cuff Arthroscopic Surgery
The rotator cuff arthroscopic surgery is recommended if the tear is above
3 cm and pain is persisting for more than 6 months. If the tear is caused
by acute injury, then again surgery becomes essential.
Rotator Cuff
Arthroscopic Surgery versus Rotator Cuff Open Surgery
In rotator cuff arthroscopic surgery, the incision made is very small
when compared to the incision made in open surgery. The rotator cuff arthroscopic
surgery has less complications and the patient can recover from the surgery
very soon. However, if the rotator cuff tear is large or very complex,
then rotator cuff open surgery is recommended.
Rotator
Cuff Arthroscopic Surgery Procedures
• All Arthroscopic Repair: This is a minimally invasive rotator
cuff arthroscopic surgery. The arthroscope is inserted into the shoulder
joint, surgeon views the images captured by arthroscope in a TV screen
and does the surgery using special instruments and by making small incisions.
• Mini Open Arthroscopic Repair – This surgical procedure
is done by making very small incisions of just 3 cm to 5 cm. The surgeon
views shoulder joints directly through arthroscope rather than viewing
it through TV screen and surgeon does the surgery by passing new technology
instruments through the minute incision made.
Factors affecting
Result of Rotator Cuff Arthroscopic Surgery
This surgery offers better pain relief and offers good strength and functioning
abilities to shoulders. However, the result of this surgery might get
affected if the patient has any of these factors: smoking habit or usage
of nicotine products, poor quality of tendon, patient’s age is more
than 65 years, rotator cuff tears are massive, and patient doesn’t
cooperate during the surgery or recovery phase.
Complications
in Rotator Cuff Arthroscopic Surgery
Blood loss and allergies due to anesthesia are the common side effects
of this surgery. Following complications may occur in this surgery though
not frequently: (1) nerve injury (2) infections that are treated by antibiotics
(3) deltoid detachment and then attachment done in open surgery might
not get rehabilitated properly (4) stiffness or motion loss might happen
which can be cured using physical therapy and various strengthening exercises
(5) tendon might re-tear and patient might undergo surgery again.
Recovery
after Rotator Cuff Arthroscopic Surgery
After surgery, the patient must undergo physical therapy program for minimum
3 months to strengthen the elbows and shoulder joints.
