Rotator Cuff Repair

What is the rotator cuff?

The rotator cuff is a system of tendons and muscles in your shoulder that holds the bones in place in the joint and enables you to move your arm in multiple directions.

Tears in the rotator cuff come from acute trauma, for example when you dislocate your shoulder and the soft tissues tear, or from wear-and-tear over the years. Rotator cuff injuries are common in older people, and according to the Mayo Clinic, more than half of those over 60 have rotator cuff tears.

What is involved in rotator cuff repair?

Treating rotator cuff tears has always been a challenge, and patients frequently find their symptoms return after treatment. Invasive surgery has been the main option up to now, with surgeons only able to repair the rotator cuff when it’s already severely degenerated.

Recovery from traditional rotator cuff surgery can take a long time, too. You’d spend 4-6 weeks in a sling, followed by a further 4-6 months of physical therapy, with variable results.

One of the problems with traditional rotator cuff surgery is that the process typically involves stitching the damaged tendons back onto the bones in your shoulder. This is fine as far as it goes, but the tendon could still be weak or damaged, meaning future rotator cuff tears are quite likely.

Because of these potential problems, you might decide to delay rotator cuff repair surgery while you can, or even rule it out because of the risks. Meanwhile, your pain and disability increase with no prospect of improvement.

Dr. Kovack aims to address this problem by offering superior surgical options, so patients experience relief from pain and dysfunction and have a far better chance of enjoying a good quality of life.

What new surgery is available for rotator cuff repair?

Dr. Kovack offers his patients the "Bio Cuff Repair" procedure using CuffMend Dermal Allograft as a better method of carrying out rotator cuff repair. The "Bio Cuff Repair" procedure is at the forefront of what’s possible in tissue augmentation, healing and rotator cuff repair, and Dr. Kovack is one of very few surgeons offering this highly advanced treatment option.

The "Bio Cuff Repair" with CuffMend uses Dermal Allograft tissue that has the ability to increase the initial repair strength over 60%, accelerate healing with less chance of re-tear of repaired tendons. Dr. Kovack places the implant over the damaged tendon in your rotator cuff using a minimally invasive arthroscopic technique. Over time, the implant grows into and strengthen the repair, helping new, stronger tissue to grow and last.

To find out more about this new, cutting-edge technique and see if it could help your rotator cuff problems, call Thomas Joseph Kovack, DO, today or book an appointment online.

Do you suffer from Rotator Cuff Tears? Ask us how our CuffMend procedure can help.