The rotator cuff is a combination of tendons and muscles. It links the humerus (which is the bone located on the upper arm) to the shoulder blades. Another function of this area of the body is to hold the upper bone in place, making sure it is in the shoulder socket. The rotator cuff has four muscles:
• Teres minor
• Subscapularis
• Supraspinatus
• Infrasapinatus
Tendons connect each of these muscles to the arm bone and joints. In the event that this tendon tears, surgery is carried out to repair it. This is what is referred to as the rotator cuff repair. If you are a resident of Laredo, TX, you should seek help from world renowned Dr Kevin Kruse, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon located in Dallas, TX. He is a highly experienced shoulder specialist who uses the right equipment to repair shoulder injuries.
What Causes Rotator Cuff Injuries?
Before we get to know how Dr. Kruse repairs the rotator cuff, it is important to understand what causes these types of injuries and shoulder pain. First, you must note that anyone, regardless of age, can sustain rotator cuff injuries. Second, several factors can lead to these injuries. These are:
• Poor movement patterns such as chronically pushing your head forward and slouching
• Wear and tear due to extreme workout
• Repetitive stress injuries of the shoulder
If physical therapy doesn’t help, surgery is one of the most effective ways to repair the rotator cuff and relieve shoulder pain. This is particularly important when patients are suffering from a complete rotator cuff tear, a tear was due to a recent injury, or patients have been going for physical therapy for several months but this has borne no fruit.
While a complete tear may require surgery, a partial tear may not. This means if your tear is partial, Dr. Kruse will most likely advise you to exercise and rest until the shoulder heals.
Before the Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery Procedure
Before Dr. Kruse performs a rotator cuff repair, you will first have to undergo an exam of the injury. For proper diagnosis, a specialist will inquire about your medical history as well as carry out a physical exam. The patient will let the physician know of their exercise history as well as the activities they have been taking part in. During the physical exam, a Laredo, TX orthopedic surgeon carries out several maneuvers on the shoulder to determine the full range and the exact location of the shoulder pain.
Once the physician is certain that you need a rotator cuff repair, they will make a decision whether you need to undergo the operation or should be put under special exercises. Special exercises, ice packs, and rest are recommended if the range of injury is not severe. But if this is not the case, then the orthopedic surgeon will prepare you for rotator cuff surgery. Preparing for surgery repair requires that the patient rests and applies cold packs. The patient may also need to take over-the-counter drugs such as naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin. It is important to let your surgeon know exactly what supplements and medications you are taking since you may have to discontinue some prior to surgery.
During Your Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery
Dr. Kruse performs surgery for rotator cuff repair by giving you either general or regional anesthesia. The difference between general anesthesia and regional anesthesia is that, in general anesthesia, you sleep throughout the procedure. Regional anesthesia, on the other hand, keeps you awake but leaves your shoulder and arm numb. This means you should not feel any pain during the surgery. The numbness may last up to 16 hours.
Dr. Kruse uses the arthroscopic technique to carry out the shoulder repair for anyone from Laredo, TX. Under this method, a small fiber-optic viewing instrument, called an arthroscope, is used to perform minimally invasive surgery. The arthroscope makes tiny incisions, which are around one centimeter each. Dr. Kruse uses this instrument to reattach the patient’s tendon to their bone. Once the tendon is where it should be, he will use sutures to attach it. Orthopedic surgeons also use small rivets known as suture anchors. Suture anchors do not need to be removed since they are made of metal or a material that finally dissolves.
Arthroscopy may not be ideal for larger rotator cuffs. In this case, the doctor may use a traditional surgery approach to carry out the repair. The traditional surgical approach involves a larger and open incision that can be around one and a quarter to two inches for a mini-open repair and around two and a half to four inches for a regular open repair.
Recovery from Rotator Cuff Surgery Repair
You begin your recovery after your doctor has performed the rotator cuff repair. Dr. Kruse may instruct you to use a sling or shoulder immobilizer to hold your shoulder and protect it from additional pain. Additionally, he may prescribe medications, given how painful shoulder surgery can be. Plus, you may want to go for a physical therapy course once you start to heal. Recovery from Laredo rotator cuff repair ranges from three to six months, depending on the nature and degree of the injury. If you are in Laredo TX, and looking for rotator cuff repair for your shoulder pain, Dr. Kruse is nearby to help you.