Rotator cuff injury

What is the rotator cuff?

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder and support shoulder movement. These muscles enable you to move your arms in different directions and keep the shoulder bones centered in the joint. The rotator cuff also helps stabilize the shoulder joint and protects it from injury or damage. An injury or degenerative damage to the rotator cuff can lead to pain, restricted movement, and instability of the shoulder. It is important to see a doctor if you suspect a rotator cuff injury in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment to prevent further damage.

Medical explanation

The rotator cuff consists of four interconnected muscle-tendon units that support the arm in all directions during movement and center the joint.
Increasing wear and tear or an accident can cause the tendons to tear or detach from the bone, which can lead to painful restriction of shoulder function with partial or complete loss of strength.
Due to the importance of the tendons for powerful shoulder function, they should be securely reattached to the bone, especially in young athletic patients. The previously prevailing opinion that tears are normal in old age and that surgical treatment is no longer advisable has been refuted by scientific studies in recent years. Patients over the age of 60 also benefit from tendon reconstruction in terms of pain and function, although this depends on the quality of the muscle-tendon unit. A recent study has shown that the same is true even for patients over the age of 80.
The aim of surgical treatment is to heal the tendons to the bone and thus restore powerful shoulder function and mobility. Today, specialists perform this procedure entirely arthroscopically, i.e., using keyhole surgery. Small thread anchors are inserted into the bone and the tendon is pierced using small instruments. The threads are then passed through the tendon, reattaching it firmly to the bone.

In-patient stay

2-3 days

Follow-up treatment

Follow-up treatment involves a period of immobilization in an abduction pillow for approximately 3-6 weeks. Physiotherapy is initiated, which is passive for the first 6 weeks and then becomes increasingly active. The entire therapy takes 12-24 weeks, depending on the severity of the injury.
For non-strenuous activities, an inability to work for 3-6 weeks can be expected. For patients who perform heavy physical work, the full rehabilitation period of 12 weeks must sometimes be planned for.

Comprehensive information on other shoulder and elbow conditions and treatment options can be found in the complete range of treatments offered by Prof. Dr. med. Frank Martetschläger.