Rotator Cuff Surgeon

Kirkland, Wa.

Rotator Cuff Surgeon Kirkland, Wa.

What is the rotator cuff?

The rotator cuff is the name collectively given to the four tendons that surround the humeral head and function to stabilize the shoulder and move and power the arm. Tendons attach muscle to bone. The four tendons that comprise the rotator cuff include: the supraspinatus, the infraspinatus, the subscapularis, and the teres minor.

How does it get injured?

The rotator cuff is usually injured in one of two ways: either acutely in a trauma such as a slip and fall or in a chronic manner as a result of cumulative wear-and-tear over time.

What types of injuries happen to the rotator cuff?

The rotator cuff can be injured in a wear-and-tear type manner where the tendon is frayed and becomes thin over time. It can also be injured in such a way that it tears apart (imagine a hole in the tendon) or detaches from its bony attachment. Additionally, the rotator cuff very commonly becomes inflamed and irritated without a structural injury which can result in significant shoulder pain.

rotator cuff surgeon kirkland wa

What are the options to repair a rotator cuff injury?

Depending on the type of injury present, there are both nonoperative and operative options to repair a rotator cuff injury. If the rotator cuff tendon is irritated or inflamed, typically nonoperative options such as physical therapy, activity modification, and possibly a steroid injection constitute the first line of treatment. If the rotator cuff is torn, especially if it is torn completely (termed a “full-thickness tear”) frequently surgery is the optimal intervention. Rotator cuff repair surgery reattaches the torn tendon to the bone, re-creating the anatomy the way that it was before the injury occurred.

Why should I have rotator cuff repair surgery?

The decision to undergo shoulder surgery is typically made by patients who are looking to improve their quality of life. Rotator cuff tears are painful and debilitating and oftentimes lead to a significant reduction in the quality of life. Broken sleep with resultant daytime drowsiness, irritability, and the inability to participate in desired activities often motivate patients to elect to undergo rotator cuff repair surgery. Studies show again and again that patients with rotator cuff tears who undergo rotator cuff repair surgery tend to have significant improvement in factors that dramatically impact their quality of life such as reduction and elimination of shoulder pain, improvement of function in terms of being able to perform activities of daily living and participate in sporting activities, and improvement in quality and duration of sleep. If your torn rotator cuff is leading to bad days and bad nights, it is worthwhile to consider surgery.

Is surgery the only option to repair a damaged rotator cuff?

Surgery may not be the only option to repair a damaged rotator cuff. If the rotator cuff is irritated or inflamed, frequently physical therapy can be quite helpful in treating this condition.

How long will I be in the hospital?

The vast majority of rotator cuff repair surgeries are performed as outpatient surgeries which means that the surgery is performed and then the patient goes home the same day to recover at home.

Will I have to wear a sling after surgery? For how long?

If you have a rotator cuff repair surgery where the torn tendon is reattached to the bone, you will typically wear a sling for six weeks after surgery to optimally protect the repair.

When can I drive again?

The answer to that question is different for every patient. The general requirements in order to be safe to drive following a rotator cuff repair surgery include: 1. You must be comfortable and not be on any narcotic pain medications while driving. 2. You must feel comfortable not wearing your sling while driving (you should not have a sling on while driving). 3. In general, you must feel safe and that you are able to maneuver your vehicle safely.  

Usually, patients reach these milestones anywhere from 1 week to 8 weeks following rotator cuff repair surgery.

What is recovery like?

I use one phrase over and over to describe recovery following a rotator cuff repair surgery: a marathon. You are in a sling for approximately 6 weeks during which time you are not allowed to actively move or use your shoulder (passive range of motion of the shoulder only) and then you gradually progress from there with the first 6 weeks or so of formal physical therapy focusing primarily on regaining full range of motion. Strengthening exercises typically start 3 months after rotator cuff repair surgery. I tell my patients that they should expect the full recovery from rotator cuff repair surgery to take up to one year.

When do I start rehab?

Formal physical therapy following rotator cuff repair surgery typically starts about 6 weeks after surgery, but many patients choose to do at least a few sessions of physical therapy right after their surgery to work on very gentle passive range of motion exercises and to try and address secondary issues like trapezius muscle soreness and neck pain that tend to pop up after shoulder surgery with the extended period of time in a sling.

How long is rehab? Can I do it at home- or do I need to go for physical therapy?

Rehab after a rotator cuff repair surgery is typically months-long. For best results, most patients choose to attend a session or two of physical therapy each week for a few months after surgery while doing daily home exercises as recommended by their therapist and then graduate to a home exercise “maintenance” program. 

Don’t let shoulder pain hold you back another minute! Make your appointment today with Dr. Jurek and start your recovery.
Call for an Appointment

Dr. Jurek treats patients with all types of shoulder conditions and disorders. She regularly performs

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery

This surgery uses very small incisions and specialized equipment to repair torn rotator... cuff tendon(s) back to their attachment site on the bone.

Surgery to treat shoulder fractures

This surgery involves plates and screws used to stabilize fracture fragments back into anatomic... position.Common procedures include clavicle fracture surgery and proximal humerus fracture surgery.

Arthroscopic labral repair surgery

This surgery uses very small incisions and specialized equipment to repair torn labral tissue. Read More

Total shoulder replacement surgery

This surgery replaces the worn ends of the shoulder joint with smooth metal and plastic.... Anatomic shoulder replacement surgery treats severe arthritis of the shoulder.

Reverse total shoulder replacement surgery

This surgery replaces the worn ends of the shoulder joint with smooth metal and... plastic but uses an inverted position of the ball and socket to do so. This procedure helps treat patients with massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears and severe arthritis of the shoulder.

Revision shoulder surgery

Surgery to help treat patients who have had previous failed surgeries Read More
orthopedic surgeon seattle

Request An Appointment

Sidebar Appt Request
601 Broadway 7th Floor 
Seattle, WA 98122
3400 California Ave SW Ste. 210 
Seattle, WA 98116
(206) 386-2600

Ask A Question


601 Broadway 
7th Floor 
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 386-2600

Ask A Question

Ask a Question
© 2021 All Rights Reserved 

© 2022 All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Medical Website Design by Numana Digital

menu-circlecross-circle linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram