What is the best procedure for shoulder rotator cuff tears?

Rotator cuff tears are common among athletes, but they are not a problem for athletes alone. A full or partial rotator cuff tear can lead to symptoms such as pain, tenderness, and limited movement. Treatment may be conservative, while in some cases surgery is required, but what is the best procedure for shoulder rotator cuff tears.

Rotator Cuff Tears
The shoulder is a ball and socket joint that consists of the ball of the upper arm bone, and the socket of the shoulder blade.The shoulder is stabilized and able to rotate, because of a group of muscles known as the rotator cuff.

The rotator cuff is a combination of muscles and tendons that link the upper arm bone,and shoulder blade. Tears can occur as a result of overuse, degeneration of the tendon, or sudden trauma. A torn rotator cuff puts undue pressure on the should joint.

Treatment – Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty
Total shoulder joint replacement is the traditional surgical solution for rotator cuff tears. This involves the replacement of the ball of the arm bone with a metal ball, and the socket of the shoulder blade with a plastic socket.

However, for patients with reverse shoulder arthropathy,-a massive rotator cuff tear accompanied by shoulder arthritis, -this treatment if often inadequate. For this reason, Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty was developed.

With reverse shoulder arthroplasty,the components of surgery are reversed. Therefore the plastic socket is placed on top of the arm bone, and the metal ball is placed on the shoulder blade. This technique brings the deltoid muscles into play, so that they compensate for the torn rotator cuff.

Contact Frank McCormick, MD of the LESS Institute, for more information on the best procedure for shoulder rotator cuff tears. Call 866-956-3837 to schedule an appointment at any of the offices in Miami, Boca Raton, Doral, or Orlando.