What is rotator cuff repair.
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder. Tears happen acutely (a fall, a heavy lift) or chronically (cumulative wear, often with shoulder impingement).
Symptoms are usually pain with reaching overhead, pain that wakes you up at night, and weakness lifting away from the body. Many tears are partial and treatable without surgery; others need a repair to resolve.
Who it's for.
- Patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears causing weakness or persistent pain
- Active patients with partial tears that haven't resolved after conservative care
- Patients with night pain that disrupts sleep
- Patients whose work or sport demands overhead function
How Dr. Pradhan approaches it.
We start with imaging and a careful exam — partial tears get a non-operative trial; full-thickness tears in active patients usually progress without repair, and earlier repair generally produces better outcomes.
Repairs are performed arthroscopically through 3–4 small incisions. We use modern suture-anchor fixation patterns (single-row or double-row, matched to the tear) and address concurrent pathology — biceps, AC joint, impingement — in the same operation.
Massive or retracted tears need a different conversation. Reverse shoulder replacement, tendon transfer, and superior capsule reconstruction are options we discuss honestly when relevant.
What recovery looks like.
A sling for 4–6 weeks protecting the repair, with passive range-of-motion exercises starting almost immediately. Active motion begins around week 6.
Strengthening starts at 3 months. Return to overhead work is typically 4–5 months; return to overhead sport (tennis, baseball) is 6–9 months.
Most patients are completely off the sling by week 6 and driving by week 6–8. Pain at the surgical site resolves earlier than the strength deficit.
Frequently asked.
Can rotator cuff tears heal on their own?
Partial tears can become asymptomatic with conservative care. Full-thickness tears in tendon do not heal on their own — they tend to get larger over time. That doesn't always mean they need surgery; it does mean the conversation should be informed.
How painful is the recovery?
The first two weeks are the most uncomfortable. We use regional anesthesia (a nerve block) that lasts up to 24 hours after surgery. Most patients are off opioid pain medication within a week and managing with anti-inflammatories.
How long until I can sleep through the night?
Most patients sleep through the night by week 3–4. A reclining chair helps for the first 2–3 weeks. Night pain from the tear itself often resolves shortly after surgery.
Will I get full strength back?
Most patients regain functional strength for daily life, work, and recreational sport. Symmetrical strength compared to the uninjured side takes 9–12 months and depends on the tear size and tissue quality.