Is a Repaired Torn Rotator Cuff Likely to Tear Again Over Time?
Once the rotator cuff has been surgically repaired, the shoulder joint will never be as strong and stable as it was before the injury, but surgery combined with the proper rehabilitation usually improves the functionality of the shoulder.
Function
The rotator cuff is the name for a group of tendons and muscles that hold the shoulder joint together.
Significance
When an individual tears the tendons and muscles that make up the rotator cuff, the result is pain and weakness in the shoulder. The performance of typical daily activities that require lifting and reaching can be greatly hampered.
Treatment Options
Surgery is rarely the first option after a rotator cuff injury, as there are many strengthening and rehabilitation options available to the injured person. A regimen of gentle exercises can be an option for partial tears.
Benefits
If it is determined by your doctor that rotator cuff surgery is the best option, the operation, combined with a disciplined approach to rehabilitation, can eliminate much of the pain and discomfort in the ball-and-socket joint that is the shoulder.
Warning
Rotator cuff surgery can improve the functionality of the shoulder, but cannot restore it to its full pre-injury state. Often, the tendons and muscles that make up the rotator cuff will have been weakened over time and the tissue will not be strong enough to build a strong repair.
Considerations
The overall strength of the shoulder after the rotator cuff repair and the likelihood of its tearing again are largely impacted by motivation and overall health of the patient and the skill of the surgeon who performs the procedure. The patient will need to wait a while before engaging in rigorous activities, and while the rotator cuff will likely be capable of daily activity, especially in older patients, the more rigorous the routine, the more likely it is that another injury will occur.
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