Rotator Cuff Repair
Rotator cuff injury is a general term to describe inflammation (soreness and swelling) or damage to one or more of the muscles or tendons that make up your rotator cuff. A rotator cuff repair involves stitching the torn tendon back onto its attachment to the arm bone (Humerus). This may be performed either through keyhole surgery (arthroscopy) or open surgery, using sutures and bone anchors.
The advantages of repairing a rotator cuff tear arthroscopically (keyhole surgery) are:
1. Less post-operative pain
2. Less time in hospital (usually can be performed as a day-case operation)
3. Quicker return to work and sports
4. Usually no stitches to remove
5. Less wound complications
However, it is more technically demanding to perform arthroscopically and different skills and equipment are required to those used in open surgery.