Rotator Cuff Repair vs. Shoulder Replacement

Sports Injuries
Rotator cuff repair and shoulder replacement surgery are two operations that address shoulder injuries and treat the pain derived from them. Depending on your medical history, situation, the cause, and the scope of the problem, your orthopedic surgeon will recommend the best treatment for you.

Rotator Cuff Repair

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround and support your shoulder. It can get damaged by an acute (sudden) tear caused by an accident or bad movement, or by degenerative tears due to aging, repetitive motions, etc.

When you get a rotator cuff tear, you can experience severe pain and relevant limitations to the overall functionality of your arm.

Who Needs It?

Anyone could get their rotator cuff damaged. However, this injury is more common amongst athletes like swimmers, tennis, or baseball players; and people over 40 years of age. If your tear is severe or total, you will definitely need surgery. If you have suffered from a partial tear, your doctor will evaluate your case.

If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, aching and throbbing at night, weakness, and difficulty in arm movement (especially overhead), you might have a rotator cuff injury and should visit a doctor as soon as possible.

How Is the Procedure Carried Out?

Most rotator cuff repairs nowadays are performed through an arthroscopy. This is a type of minimally invasive, outpatient surgery that allows doctors to treat joints using specialized instruments inserted through small incisions around the damaged area. It usually lasts between 45 minutes and an hour and a half.

Your surgeon will be able to see the inside of your shoulder because one of the instruments, the arthroscope, has a camera and light system that projects the images onto a monitor. In the case of rotator cuff injuries, your doctor will use special knots and sutures to reattach the torn muscles back to the bone.

Recovery

Rotator cuff surgeries usually deliver excellent results. You should prepare for a prolonged period of activity restriction in order to allow your tendons and muscles to heal. After an initial period of rest, you will get physical therapy to restore flexibility, strength, and motion.

You must be especially cautious of sudden movements, or you could get a retear.

Shoulder Replacement

A shoulder replacement surgery seeks to alleviate your pain and improve your shoulder’s mobility by removing the damaged parts of your joint and replacing them with implants. Around 70,000 people in the U.S. alone get this procedure done every year.

Who Needs It?

Patients who end up getting a shoulder replacement usually do so because they suffer from advanced arthritis or have had multiple rotator cuff surgeries without considerable improvements. You could also be a candidate if you have had a complex shoulder fracture, inflammatory disorders that affect cartilages and joints, or osteonecrosis.

How Is the Procedure Carried Out?

A shoulder replacement surgery is a more invasive procedure that requires a larger incision and general anesthesia in comparison with arthroscopy. Depending on the scope of the injuries, the surgery might be total or partial. Once in the O.R., your surgeon will remove the damaged parts of bone, tissue, etc, and replace them with prosthetics. These implants can be made of plastic and/or metal.

Recovery

Despite how invasive it is, recovery tends to be a little easier and faster. This is because a replacement is less reliant on the soft tissue structures around the shoulder.

Many patients can return home the same day—but remember to ask someone else to drive you. You can expect:

  • To have your arm immobilized for a period of time
  • Not to lift heavy objects for a couple of months
  • To attend physical therapy
  • Not to play contact sports for a while

Your surgeon will give you specific instructions according to your condition, so follow them carefully to enjoy the best results. In our experience, patients report faster pain relief and satisfaction after shoulder replacement surgery than they do with other operations.

Do I Need a Rotator Cuff Repair or a Shoulder Replacement?

If you’re suffering from shoulder pain, rotator cuff repair and shoulder replacement surgeries are extremely effective at addressing your ailments and restoring arm functionality. Nonetheless, you will need one or the other depending on your unique situation. In order to know which one will better fit your needs, you need to visit a specialized orthopedic surgeon.

Call Ashford Orthopedic Specialists or book a consultation at one of our two Georgia locations to discuss which procedure will give you the life improvements you need the most.

About Us
William Ashford, MD

William Ashford, MD, is the lead orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at Ashford Orthopedic Specialists in Athens and Loganville, Georgia. In his years in the field, he has applied his medical expertise and surgical experience to treat musculoskeletal injuries that hinder individuals’ active lifestyle.