Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery · Salt Lake City · Park City · Heber City
Rotator Cuff Repair in Salt Lake City & Park City, Utah
The rotator cuff is the group of four tendons that centers the ball in the socket and powers the shoulder. When a tear keeps hurting or weakening the arm despite therapy, Dr. Hatch repairs it arthroscopically through small incisions, reattaching the tendon to bone so it can heal. He treats rotator cuff injuries for skiers, climbers, mountain bikers, weekend athletes, and everyone in between across the Wasatch Back.
Understanding Rotator Cuff Tears
Rotator cuff tears happen in two ways. Acute tears follow a fall, a hard landing on the slopes, or a sudden lift. Degenerative tears develop gradually as the tendon frays with age and repetitive overhead use, which is why they are so common after fifty. Tears are described as partial-thickness, when only part of the tendon is damaged, or full-thickness, when the tendon has pulled away from the bone. Symptoms include a deep ache in the outer shoulder, pain lying on that side at night, weakness lifting or rotating the arm, and difficulty reaching behind the back or overhead.
Nonsurgical Treatment Comes First
Many rotator cuff problems, including tendinitis, bursitis, and many partial tears, improve without surgery. Dr. Hatch typically starts with activity modification, a structured physical therapy program to restore motion and strengthen the surrounding muscles, anti-inflammatory medication, and in some cases a corticosteroid injection. Surgery is considered when a full-thickness tear is causing persistent pain or weakness, when an acute tear occurs in an active patient, or when a good course of nonsurgical care has not brought relief.
Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair
Dr. Hatch performs rotator cuff repair arthroscopically. Through several small incisions, a camera and thin instruments are used to clean out inflamed tissue, prepare the bone, and reattach the torn tendon with suture anchors. Depending on your shoulder, the procedure may also include:
- Subacromial decompression to remove bone spurs that pinch the tendon
- Distal clavicle resection to address arthritis at the AC joint
- Biceps tenodesis to treat a damaged long head of the biceps tendon, a frequent companion of cuff tears
- Augmentation techniques for large or poor-quality tears when appropriate
The procedure is done as an outpatient under general anesthesia with a regional nerve block, and many patients go home the same day.
When a Rotator Cuff Cannot Be Repaired
Some large, long-standing tears retract and lose their quality so that a durable repair is no longer possible. Dr. Hatch’s fellowship training in complex shoulder reconstruction means he can offer the full range of options for these shoulders, from partial repair and biceps procedures to reverse shoulder replacement when arthritis has developed and the arm can no longer be raised.
Recovery After Rotator Cuff Repair
A repaired tendon needs time to heal to bone, so recovery is deliberately gradual. Following Dr. Hatch’s Rotator Cuff Repair protocol, many patients wear a sling for about six weeks while beginning gentle passive motion in therapy, progress to active motion over the following six weeks, and begin strengthening around three months. Many patients return to desk work within a couple of weeks; physically demanding work and sports typically return between four and six months, with full strength continuing to improve up to a year. Sticking with therapy is one of the most important things you can do for a good result.
Risks
Rotator cuff repair is a common, well-established procedure. Risks include infection, stiffness, nerve injury, re-tear of the repaired tendon (more likely with large tears, older tendons, and smoking), and the need for further surgery. Dr. Hatch reviews your individual risks with you before scheduling. Individual results vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all rotator cuff tears need surgery?
No. Many partial tears and degenerative tears in less active patients do well with therapy and injections. Full-thickness tears with persistent pain or weakness, and acute tears in active patients, are the most common reasons Dr. Hatch recommends repair.
How long is recovery from rotator cuff surgery?
Many patients are in a sling for about six weeks, regain motion over the next six weeks, and start strengthening around three months. Return to sports and heavy work typically takes four to six months.
Can I ski after rotator cuff repair?
Many patients return to skiing after the tendon has healed and strength has been rebuilt, usually the following season. Dr. Hatch will clear you based on your progress in therapy.
What if my tear is too large to repair?
Dr. Hatch offers the full spectrum of options for irreparable tears, including partial repair, biceps procedures, and reverse shoulder replacement when appropriate.
Get Answers About Your Rotator Cuff
An exam and imaging with Dr. Hatch can help determine whether your tear can heal with therapy or needs repair, and what recovery would look like.