The Singapore Sports Clinic Explains Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Injury

Arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery has become very successful in treating the prevalent shoulder injury known as the rotator cuff injury.

New York City, NY (prHWY.com) November 28, 2011 - Arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery has become very successful in treating the prevalent shoulder injury known as the rotator cuff injury. A tear for the rotator cuff could happen by way of traumatic shoulder impact, repetitive heavy lifting, strong pull, or years of bone spurs rubbing down against the shoulder tendons. If this shoulder injury comes about, the cuff muscles basically tear off the humerus bone. A straightforward definition with the rotator cuff is a group of ligament and muscles that connects the humurus as well as scapula facilitating overhead motions. Surgical and non-surgical approaches tend to be used to treat this typical shoulder injury.

Symptoms of this shoulder injury include serious pain around outer side of arm, reduction in shoulder mobility, shoulder painfulness while trying to sleep, and lack of strength lifting arm overhead. This injury is frequent in physical activities as well as activities involving recurring arm motion. Shoulders are an extremely complex joint involving a number of muscle groups, joints, as well as nerves. The rotator cuff is made up of four different tendons as well as muscles that organize arm movement at the shoulder joint. These types of cuff muscles are responsible for shoulder rotation and maintaining proper alignment by securing the shoulders in the socket. During shoulder movement, cuff muscles are generally the stabilizers and help properly position the humeral head as well as scapula.

The general severity of this injury varies. Mild strains with some cuff soreness regularly results into no permanent damage and is not going to require surgery. However, partial or complete tears to those muscles as well as ligament could slowly but surely intensify if if left untreated. A partial Rotator Cuff Injury comes about if the cuff muscle always rubs against bone spurs. Partial tears typically end up in full ruptures after many years of repeating contact with bone spurs. One basic approach used by shoulder surgeons for this injury stands out as the removal of bone spurs as appropriate and cleaning up the inflamed tissue.

Arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery involves taking away bone spurs that are typically pushing up against the cuff and reattaching the ligament on the humurus bone. Shoulder surgeons can repair this injury arthroscopically, which usually can be a lot less trauma to the patient, little scarring (three or just four small holes), and less discomfort. Surgery is performed as an outpatient so returning property exactly the same day is standard protocol.

Orthopedic surgeons can examine the inside from the shoulder making use of the small surgical camera (arthroscopy) as well as analyze the tear as well as even "clean up" inflamed tissue as well as bone spurs. This style of surgery is referred to as being minimally invasive. The surgical tools are actually inserted into the shoulder through three or even four small holes and everything is viewed found on a TV monitor that's in addition becoming digitally recorded. Sutures as well as rivets are typically used to reattach the rotator cuff if a tear is discovered.

Following arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery affected individuals will go through a well planned four phase recovery. The very first six weeks can be a passive motion only phase used to be individuals can not put any tension around the repair. No lifting of the arm for the very first four to six weeks. Phase two is with regards to active shoulder motion which usually means only arm movement without resistance. The active motion phase lasts up to twelve weeks following surgery. Phase three of recovery stands out as the strengthening phase in that light weight lifting as well as resistance band exercises begin. Full recovery (phase four) and developing back to your previous level of activities might take five to six months or longer. Your physical therapist will allow you to know when to progress on the next phase of recovery. Important determining factors at a speedy recovery usually are dedication to physical therapy, size in the tear, individual's ability to heal, and experience with the shoulder surgeon doing the rotator cuff surgery.

Dr. Kevin Yip, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, MBBS(UK), FRCS(EDIN), FAM(SING), FHKCOS(ORTHO). is an orthopaedic surgeon with over 20 years of experience and a consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon with Special Interest in Knee and Shoulder.

Dr. Kevin Yip obtained his medical degree from St. Thomas' Hospital London, England. He completed his post-graduate training in London, obtained his Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1990, and worked in several hospital units in England before moving to Hong Kong. He became an Associate Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong Prince of Wales Hospital and participated in extensive research in various fields especially the knee and shoulder. After leaving Hong Kong in 1998, he joined Gleneagles Hospital as a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. Apart from general orthopaedics, his main areas of interest are knee and shoulder surgery.

Visit the Singapore Sports Clinic with Dr. Kevin Yip for more information about Rotator Cuff Injury and its treatment.

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