Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Surgeon

Rotator cuff tears are commonly caused by acute injuries or degenerative changes that occur slowly with age or overuse. Rotator cuff repair surgeon. Dr. Okoroha provides diagnosis and individualized non-operative and operative treatment plans in Minneapolis. He also provides highly specialized care during and after surgery. Contact Dr. Okoroha’s team for an appointment today!

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What is the Rotator Cuff?

The rotator cuff is a group of tendons in the shoulder joint providing support and enabling a wider range of motion. Major injury to these tendons may result in tear of these tendons and the condition is called a rotator cuff tear. It is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain in middle‐aged adults and older individuals.

Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Injury

It may occur with repeated use of arm for overhead activities, while playing sports or during motor accidents. Rotator cuff tear causes severe pain, weakness of the arm, and crackling sensation on moving the shoulder in certain positions. There may be stiffness, swelling, loss of movement, and tenderness in the front of the shoulder.

When rotator cuff injury is suspected it is important to schedule an orthopedic consultation for proper examination and care. Dr. Kelechi Okoroha is a rotator cuff specialist who provides detailed examination and care for patients with rotator cuff injuries in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Minnesota and beyond.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of a rotator cuff injury is based on a thorough physical examination performed by Dr. Okoroha. Rotator cuff tear is best viewed on magnetic resonance imaging. Symptomatic relief may be obtained with conservative treatments ‐ rest, shoulder sling, pain medications, steroidal injections, and certain exercises. However, surgery is required to fix the tendon back to the shoulder bone.

Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

Surgery to repair the rotator cuff has traditionally been done through a large shoulder incision, about 6‐10cm long, and the muscle over the rotator cuff was separated. Dr. Okoroha uses newer, advanced surgical techniques which have been developed to minimize pain and recovery time. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is a minimally invasive surgery performed through tiny incisions, about 1 cm each, with an arthroscope.

The arthroscope is a small fiber‐optic viewing instrument made up of a tiny lens, light source, and video camera. The surgical instruments used in arthroscopic surgery are very small (only 3 or 4 mm in diameter) but appear much larger when viewed through an arthroscope.

The television camera attached to the arthroscope displays the image of the joint on a television screen, allowing the surgeon to look throughout the shoulder at cartilage, ligaments, and the rotator cuff. The surgeon can determine the amount or type of injury, and then repair or correct the problem.

Dr. Okoroha has extensive training in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and provides this service for patients in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Minnesota and beyond.

Benefits of Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

The benefits of arthroscopy compared to the alternative open shoulder surgery, include:

• Smaller incisions
• Minimal soft tissue trauma
• Less pain
• Faster healing time
• Lower infection rate
• Less scarring
• Earlier mobilization
• Usually performed as outpatient day surgery