If you have a shoulder injury, all you can think about is doing whatever it takes to make it better. And the first step in doing that is knowing what type of shoulder injury you have. One of the most common types of shoulder injuries is a rotator cuff injury, which in many cases will require surgery.

What is a Rotator Cuff Injury?

Your rotator cuff is where your shoulder is attached to your body via tendons. A rotator cuff injury is when those tendons are pulled away from the head of your humerus or upper arm bone.

Several Reasons Why You Might Need a Rotator Cuff Surgery

There are several diseases that could result in a rotator cuff injury, such as tendinitis (also called tendonitis) and bursitis. Or, repetitive motions, poor posture, aging and anything else that has you keeping your arm in the same position for long periods of time. When your shoulder injury can’t be healed using rest, ice, heat, anti-inflammatory medicines and physical therapy, you should consider finding a shoulder surgeon because you may need rotator cuff surgery.

Southeast Orthopedic Specialists has 13 Board Certified physicians at six different locations throughout Northeast Florida. Please feel free to Contact Us today for more information. We would be happy to talk with you about any type of shoulder pain you might have. Then we can go over your options and make a recommendation based on your needs.

The Different Types of Rotator Cuff Surgeries

There are several different types of rotator cuff surgeries such as:

• Open Rotator Cuff Surgery. This is an open incision that’s made over the shoulder. And this method is recommended for people with large or difficult tears. Or those who need any type of reconstruction procedure.
• Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Surgery. This method is an outpatient surgery and is generally used for those with small- to medium-sized tears (3 cm or smaller) and is the least invasive out of all types of rotator cuff surgeries.
• Mini-Open Rotator Cuff Surgery. This method is a combination of both the arthroscopic and open surgery techniques. However, it is less invasive than an open repair and is recommended for those who have torn more than one of their rotator cuff tendons.

How to Decide Which Type of Surgery is Best for You

It’s always best to consult with a shoulder surgeon if you want to make an educated decision about which rotator cuff surgery is best for you. Your surgeon’s recommendation will be based on the size of your tear, your body structure and the condition of your tendons, tissues and bones