Rotator cuff surgery in a total team approach

Many rotator cuff surgery patients come to the Human Motion Institute of America for our total team approach to orthopedic and musculoskeletal care.

Rotator cuff surgery is often recommended when tears happen and result in a great deal of shoulder pain. The incidence of damage in this area and the need for rotator cuff surgery increases with age and is most frequently due to degeneration of the tendon, rather than injury from sports or trauma. Treatment recommendations vary from rehabilitation to rotator cuff surgery to repair the torn tendon(s). The best method of treatment is different for every patient. The decision about treatment is based on the patient's severity of symptoms and functional requirements, and presence of other illnesses that may complicate treatment.

Surgery involves the group of four muscles that surround the humeral head (ball of joint). The muscles are referred to as the "SITS" muscles-Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor and Subcapularis. The muscles function to provide rotation and elevate the arm and give stability to the shoulder joint (glenohumeral joint). The supraspinatus is most frequently involved in degenerative tears. However, more than one tendon can be involved.

The need for surgery increases in frequency with age, is more common in the dominant arm, and can be present in the opposite shoulder even if there is no pain. If treatment is not performed, greater problems may develop. In one study, 40 percent of patients with a tear showed enlargement of the tear over a five-year period; however, 20 percent of those patients had no symptoms.

Get comprehensive treatment from the Human Motion Institute

The Human Motion Institute is a unique program offering a comprehensive treatment continuum of care within a highly integrated health care delivery network. Our goal is simple: to return our patients to normal function as quickly and safely as possible.

To reach this goal, the medical professionals at the Human Motion Institute enlist a comprehensive, leading edge approach to the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries.

Our highly trained team of surgeons, nurses, physician assistants, rehabilitation specialists and various medical support personnel works with each patient and their primary care physician to develop a treatment plan specifically for that patient.

By combining extensive clinical expertise with a compassionate, caring treatment philosophy, we have created a program known for its quality of care.

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