Rotator Cuff Tears and Repairs

Dr. Brian Wallace – Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon

As we age, our bodies are subjected to more repercussions from normal wear and tear.  This is particularly the case of individual’s age 60 and older, but the same wear and tear is accurate for younger people that are very active or have suffered accidental injury through sports or trauma-related causes.

One of the primary injuries that orthopedic surgeons treat is rotator cuff tears.  The rotator is comprised of four muscles and three main bones.  Although there are multiple types of shoulder injuries, rotator cuff injuries cause a great deal of pain when lifting the arm over the head.  For people that work in a field requiring lifting, an extension of the arms, or big range of- motions, this can be detrimental to their careers.  Once the rotator cuff is damaged it can be difficult to wash or style your hair, lift objects or your arm, reach high to get something off of a shelf, pull on a shirt, or put on a hat.  If you’re active, your ability to swim, play tennis, golf, or anything requiring maximum arm movement, your activities will be significantly hindered because of the impingement in your shoulder.

What is a rotator cuff tear?
The three bones that make up the rotator cuff are the clavicle, humerus and the collarbone. The four muscles create a fulcrum for one main tendon that connects to the upper portion of the humerus bone in the shoulder, this joint allows the shoulder to rotate our arm and shoulder and to move it up, down, and to the right and left.  A fluid-filled sac helps to lubricate the rotator cuff.

Over time, wear and tear can cause tiny tears to occur, which can cause discomfort and limit our range of motion.  As we age the blood supply in our tendons decreases, this can also cause tears and damage to occur.  Extreme shoulder impingement occurs when there is bursa inflammation or bone spurs have sheared off, causing minimal ability to move the shoulder.

Diagnosis and Treatment
Your doctor will diagnose the rotator cuff disorder by a physical examination of your shoulder and your range of motion, along with x-rays, and if needed, an MRI or ultrasound.

Your treatment options are usually to start with an anti-inflammatory medication like NSAIDs, rest and icing the area to take away any of the inflammation.  This will allow the rotator cuff to heal itself naturally.

If the injury is advanced, or the body will not heal itself due to health or aging-related issues, surgery may be necessary.  Three standard surgical approaches include Open Surgical Repair, Mini-Open Repair, and Arthroscopic Repair.

If the tear is partial, a simple debridement may be all that is necessary, if it is a little more involved, suturing the tendons together and sometimes reattaching the ligaments to the bone may be required.  Your orthopedic surgeon will be able to discuss your options in full detail with you during your consultation.

There are traditional surgery and arthroscopic (minimally invasive) surgery options. The good news is if surgery is necessary, it can usually be performed arthroscopically. With Arthroscopic surgery there is no muscle detachment, and through a small incision, the surgeon will have access to the entire shoulder joint.  With proper care and maintenance, long-term outcomes are equal to those of traditional surgery.  With this minimally invasive technique, your recovery time is traditionally quicker and much less painful.

Recovery usually takes four to six weeks.  You will need to keep your arm movement to an absolute minimum during this time; usually, a sling will help with restricting your movements.  After surgery, you may need physical therapy to get you back to a full range of motion; this is especially true if your job or sports activities require a lot of arm and shoulder rotating or lifting.

Dr. Brian Wallace
Board-Certified and Fellowship-Trained
Orthopaedic Surgeon

Dr. Brian Wallace is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who completed additional Fellowship training in Sports Medicine.

Dr. Wallace attended medical school at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Affinity Medical Center. He completed an orthopedic sports medicine and arthroscopy fellowship at Beacon Orthopedic and Research Education Foundation in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Dr. Wallace has a wealth of sports medicine experience. He has worked extensively with athletes at the high school, college, and professional level including Kings Mills high school, Wittenberg University, and the Cincinnati Reds major league baseball team, along with other local high schools and colleges in the Cincinnati area.

Dr. Wallace serves as the head team physician for Ave Maria University. He works with the athletes, assuring their quick return to sport.

His interests in orthopedics include the arthroscopic treatment of the shoulder, elbow, and knee as well as general orthopedic care. He also has extensive training in joint reconstruction and fracture care.

Dr. Wallace is expertly trained in nonoperative treatment such as stem cell and PRP injections, as well as other orthobiologics.

1250 Pine Ridge,
Suite #203,
Naples, FL 34108
(239) 261-2663