Rotator Cuff Repair

Rotator cuff repair is a surgical procedure to restore the torn tendons of the rotator cuff — the group of four muscles and their tendons that stabilise and power shoulder movement. Rotator cuff tears are among the most common shoulder injuries, affecting athletes, manual workers, and older adults whose tendons have undergone degenerative change. Tears range from small partial-thickness injuries to large full-thickness ruptures involving multiple tendons, and surgical repair is indicated when significant tears cause pain and weakness that fails to respond to physiotherapy and injection treatment.

At SilverOak Health, rotator cuff repair is performed arthroscopically — entirely through small portals without opening the shoulder joint — using high-resolution 4K arthroscopic imaging and specialised suture-passing instruments. Torn tendon edges are prepared and reattached to the greater tuberosity of the humerus using knotless suture anchors that provide biomechanically sound fixation while minimising the tissue irritation associated with traditional knotted repairs. Superior capsular reconstruction using dermal allograft is available for irreparable massive tears, providing shoulder stabilisation when direct tendon repair is not possible.

The extent of the tear, tissue quality, and patient factors including age, activity demands, and medical comorbidities all influence surgical planning and expected outcomes. Post-operative rehabilitation is the most critical determinant of final outcome — a structured six-month programme beginning with sling immobilisation and passive motion, progressing through active strengthening, and culminating in sport-specific or work-specific training, is essential for achieving full functional restoration. Our shoulder physiotherapy team works closely with the surgical team to deliver a programme that balances protecting the healing repair with achieving the range of motion and strength necessary for return to full activity.