Rotator Cuff Repair in Colorado Springs
Medically reviewed by John C. Redfern, MD, Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon.
The rotator cuff is the group of four tendons that holds the ball of the shoulder centered in its socket and powers lifting and rotation. When a tear causes pain and weakness that don’t settle with nonsurgical care, Dr. John Redfern performs arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in Colorado Springs, reattaching the torn tendon to bone through small incisions. Most tears are evaluated and treated without surgery first.
How Rotator Cuff Tears Happen
Tears come in two forms: sudden, from a fall or lifting something heavy, and gradual, from years of wear as the tendon thins with age. The supraspinatus, the tendon that runs over the top of the shoulder, is the one most often torn. Many people over 60 have some degree of cuff tearing without knowing it. A tear becomes a problem when it causes night pain, weakness reaching overhead or behind the back, or a sense that the arm won’t cooperate. Partial-thickness tears involve only part of the tendon; full-thickness tears go all the way through.
Can a Rotator Cuff Tear Heal Without Surgery?
A torn tendon doesn’t reattach to bone by itself, but that isn’t the same as needing surgery. Most partial tears and many degenerative tears become comfortable and functional without an operation. Dr. Redfern typically starts with physical therapy to restore motion and strengthen the muscles around the shoulder, along with activity changes, anti-inflammatory medication, and, in selected cases, an injection. For some partial tears and chronic tendon irritation, PRP therapy is an option he offers. The goal of nonsurgical care is a shoulder that works, not necessarily a healed tendon.
Do You Need Surgery for a Torn Rotator Cuff?
Repair is generally considered for full-thickness tears in active patients, acute traumatic tears, and tears that keep hurting or weakening despite several months of conservative care. The size, location, and age of a tear, along with the quality of the tendon and muscle, all factor into whether it can be repaired directly. An exam and imaging, usually an MRI, answer that question. Dr. Redfern reviews the images with you and explains what he sees before any decision is made.
How Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Works
Dr. Redfern performs most rotator cuff repairs arthroscopically, using a small camera and instruments inserted through incisions about the size of a buttonhole. The torn tendon is freed, the bone surface is prepared, and the tendon is reattached with suture anchors. Bone spurs that irritate the tendon can be smoothed and the biceps tendon addressed in the same procedure when needed. The surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis with a regional nerve block for comfort.
Rotator Cuff Surgery Recovery Timeline
A repaired tendon heals to bone slowly, and protecting it early is what makes the repair last. The arc for most patients looks like this: a sling for roughly four to six weeks with gentle passive motion guided by your therapist; active motion beginning once the tendon has started to heal; strengthening starting around three months; and a return to overhead or heavy activity over four to six months. Many patients are back at desk work within a couple of weeks. Soreness is most noticeable in the first one to two weeks and is managed with the nerve block, medication, and icing. Timelines vary with the size of the tear and how you heal, and Dr. Redfern’s team maps yours out with you.
When a Tear Can't Be Repaired
Some long-standing, massive tears have retracted, or the muscle has weakened to the point that a direct repair isn’t reliable. Dr. Redfern will explain the alternatives honestly. Depending on your shoulder, those may include partial repair, tendon transfer, or, when arthritis has developed alongside the tear, reverse shoulder replacement.
Risks
Risks of rotator cuff repair include infection, stiffness, re-tear of the repaired tendon (more likely with large or chronic tears), nerve injury, and the risks of anesthesia. Dr. Redfern reviews your individual risk with you before anything is scheduled. Individual results vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need rotator cuff surgery?
Persistent pain and weakness that limit daily activities despite several months of therapy, a full-thickness tear in an active patient, or a sudden tear after an injury are the usual reasons to discuss repair. An exam and MRI confirm the tear and help Dr. Redfern advise you.
How long is recovery from rotator cuff surgery?
Most patients wear a sling for four to six weeks and progress through therapy over four to six months. Return to full activity depends on tear size, tissue quality, and your goals.
How long do you wear a sling after rotator cuff surgery?
Typically four to six weeks. The sling protects the repair while the tendon begins to heal to bone; your therapist starts gentle motion during that period so the shoulder does not stiffen.
When can I drive after rotator cuff surgery?
Most patients wait until they are out of the sling and no longer taking prescription pain medication, often around four to six weeks. Dr. Redfern will tell you when it is safe for your shoulder.
How much does rotator cuff surgery cost?
Rotator cuff repair for a symptomatic tear is generally covered by insurance, including Medicare, when medically necessary. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan; our office verifies your benefits before scheduling.
Can PRP help a rotator cuff tear?
PRP may help with partial tears and chronic cuff tendinopathy. It does not repair full-thickness tears. Dr. Redfern can tell you which situation applies after an exam and imaging.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Redfern
Call the office or request an appointment online and our team will help you take the next step.