Approximately 4 million people in the United States have symptoms of rotator cuff tears that cause shoulder pain and dysfunction. At Victory Sports Medicine & Orthopedics, board-certified orthopedic surgeon Marc Pietropaoli, MD, performs minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures to repair minor and major rotator cuff tears. Based in Skaneateles, New York, Dr. Pietropaoli and his team can help you heal through careful and diligent treatment. To book an in-person or telemedicine appointment, call the office or schedule online today.
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles in front, on top, and behind your shoulder that provide dynamic stability to your ball-and-socket joint. Since your shoulder is the most freely movable joint in your body, it has a wide range of motion that requires your rotator cuff to stabilize the joint and prevent dislocation.
There are two main types of rotator cuff tears: partial and full tears. Partial tears involve a portion of the tendon tearing while a full tear is a complete tear through the entire tendon. One or more of the tendons in your rotator cuff can be affected.
The rotator cuff is injured primarily by wear-and-tear and repetitive overhead activities. Rotator cuff issues are so common that about 50% of adults over the age of 60 have some signs of rotator cuff tears.
Rotator cuff injuries cause a variety of symptoms depending on the severity and location of your injury. Possible signs of a rotator cuff injury include:
You may notice an increase in symptoms after athletic activities or if you sleep on the affected side.
To diagnose a rotator cuff tear, Dr. Pietropaoli performs a thorough consultation and physical exam to understand your symptoms and the location of your pain. He then orders an MRI of your shoulder to determine the severity of the tear.
Based on your diagnosis, Dr. Pietropaoli determines an appropriate treatment plan for you that may include physical therapy, joint injections, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), arthroscopic surgery, and/or treatment with a bioinductive patch.
A bioinductive patch is a stamp-sized implant made of bovine collagen that can help biologically repair a damaged tendon during arthroscopic surgery. The patch can be utilized for both partial and complete rotator cuff tears.
The patch stimulates new collagen formation, which repairs damaged tendon tissues and helps them become filled in and heal stronger to prevent re-injury or the need for more invasive surgery.
To learn more about rotator cuff repair options through an in-person or telemedicine appointment, call the office or schedule a consultation online now.
90% BETTER AFTER ROTATOR CUFF REPAIR!
