When Does a Rotator Cuff Tear Require Surgery?

Your shoulder hurts, and you’re losing range of motion. It’s hard to reach for a glass in your kitchen cabinet. You may have a rotator cuff tear. 

Your rotator cuff is a cluster of muscles and tendons around your shoulder that enables you to move your arm in different directions. Thanks to your rotator cuff, your shoulder joint is the most flexible in your body. 

A rotator cuff tear can occur from the trauma of a sports or motor vehicle accident, but it can also develop due to wear and tear. Anyone who repeatedly uses their shoulder joint to perform a job or play a sport is at increased risk of a rotator cuff tear. 

The team of highly specialized physicians at Texas Health Care's Bone and Joint Clinic treats rotator cuff tears conservatively first and with surgery when necessary. Whether or not you need surgery depends on several factors, including the severity of the tear, your level of pain, age, and activity level. 

A complete rotator cuff tear 

Partial rotator cuff tears can often be treated conservatively. However, if your tendon has completely separated from the bone, you have a complete tear. This type of tear causes ongoing pain and functional disability. You’ll need surgery to repair it. 

A complex rotator cuff tear

Your tear may involve more than one tendon. You might have muscle damage as well. Bone spurs could have developed, or you may also have a bicep tear. Surgery is required for complex tears. 

Ongoing pain and limited movement after physical therapy 

Conservative treatment for rotator cuff tears involves pain medication, a possible injection, and physical therapy. If you’re still in significant pain after a few months and have trouble raising your arm or sleeping, your doctor may recommend surgery. 

Your age and activity level 

Do you hit the golf course as often as you can? Perhaps you’re on the tennis court regularly. On the other hand, maybe your work requires repetitive shoulder movements. If you use your shoulder frequently for sports or work, your doctor will likely recommend surgery to ensure your joint can withstand all that vigorous movement. 

If you’re a senior and not as active as you once were, and your pain subsides after physical therapy, you may not need surgery. 

Rotator cuff surgery is performed arthroscopically. Your surgeon makes very small incisions and uses tiny instruments equipped with a camera during the procedure. Arthroscopic surgery enhances recovery outcomes. 

If you suspect you have a rotator cuff tear, schedule a consultation with our team at Texas Health Care's Bone and Joint Clinic in Fort Worth, Southlake, and Weatherford, TX, today. Call our location most convenient to you or book an appointment online.