Rotator cuff repair is a surgical procedure to repair a rotator cuff injury/tear. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint. Its role is to keep the head of the upper arm bone (humerus) inside the shoulder socket (glenoid). Repetitive overhead movements or heavy lifting can cause damage or tears to the rotator cuff which, if left untreated, may lead to a permanent loss of movement or weakness in the shoulder joint.
Surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff involves stitching the tendon back onto the upper arm bone (humerus). If the tendon is only partially torn, a procedure called a debridement may be used to trim and smooth the tear.
In some cases, if there is massive, irreparable damage to the rotator cuff you may be offered an innovative treatment called superior capsule reconstruction. This is an arthroscopic procedure that can be used to improve function and reduce pain. Previously, the only option for irreparable rotator cuff tears was tendon transfer, but results were mixed and there were frequently complications.