Arthroscopic Approach to Rotator Cuff Repair

An arthroscopic rotator cuff repair procedure allows patients to be treated on an outpatient basis and without the need for general anesthesia.

Several small incisions, less than 1 cm in diameter are made around the shoulder, usually one in the front and one behind the shoulder joint. Hollow cannulas are used to irrigate the inside of the shoulder joint and inflate the joint with clear fluid, allowing the placement of an arthroscopic camera and specially designed instruments within the shoulder joint. Using the camera as a guide, the rotator cuff tissue is freed from a scarred, retracted position and stitched back using a technique called margin convergence--similar to stitching together a tent flap--to restore the tissue over the top of the humeral head. Suture anchors with a wire core center are used and patients are placed in a sling post-
operatively.

"In the past, men and women younger than age 40 were more likely to have partial thickness tears, which are easier to repair,” said Kevin Plancher, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon, sports medicine specialist, and chairman of the Orthopaedic Foundation for Active Lifestyles (Cos Cob, CT, USA), who described this new approach. "By utilizing the arthroscopic approach there is significantly less associated trauma than with a traditional ‘open' rotator cuff repair or even a ‘mini-open' approach.”

The rotator cuff is a group of four tendons that combine to provide normal functioning and stability in the shoulder. In younger patients, damage may be caused by a traumatic injury, as in the case of professional athletes. As people age, the muscle and tendon tissue of the rotator cuff loses elasticity, becomes more susceptible to injuries, and is often damaged while performing even everyday activities.



Related Links:
Orthopaedic Foundation for Active Lifestyles