Rotator Cuff Repair and SLAP Lesion Repair
Advanced Surgical Institute is a specialized surgery center for arthroscopic shoulder joint repairs. We can repair your shoulder injuries, such as a torn Rotator Cuff and SLAP (Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior) Lesions, using minimally invasive techniques.
Surgeons who use our center for Rotator Cuff repair and SLAP Lesion repair are highly trained specialists. Many have dedicated their practice specifically to healing shoulder injuries.
What is a Rotator Cuff tear?
Your rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that form a covering around the head of your humerus (upper arm bone). Together, these muscles stabilize your shoulder joint. These tendons can partially or completely tear due to:
- Falling down on your outstretched arm, or lifting something too heavy with a jerking motion,
- Your tendon wearing down slowly over time. This most commonly occurs on the your dominant arm.
If you have a rotator cuff tear, you can help relieve your pain and improve your shoulder function by limiting the joint’s movement, participating in physical therapy and taking anti-inflammatory medicines. But it’s difficult to strengthen a shoulder with a torn rotator cuff without surgery.
What is a SLAP Lesion?
A SLAP Lesion or Tear is an injury to the labrum of the shoulder. The labrum is the ring of cartilage that surrounds the socket of your shoulder joint, the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons explains. The injury can be caused if you have an accident or fall onto your arm. It also can be caused by repetitive shoulder motion. Wearing down the labrum slowly over time frequently results in SLAP Lesions seen in patients over 40.
How can my torn Rotator Cuff or SLAP Lesion be repaired?
During arthroscopic surgery to repair Rotator Cuff injuries or SLAP Lesions:
- You are given general anesthesia and a nerve block to numb your shoulder.
- The surgeon inserts the arthroscope into your shoulder joint through a small surgical cut. (An arthroscope is a tiny telescopic lens attached to an external digital camera.)
- Images from the telescopic lens inside the joint are displayed on a monitor in the operating room.
- The doctor uses the images to guide miniature surgical instruments through a second small incision to perform the repairs.
Your rehabilitation for a Rotator Cuff Repair or a SLAP Lesion Repair can involve:
- Immobilizing the shoulder for a period of time after surgery
- Physical Therapy
- Gentle Stretching, and
- Exercise
