Type of Surgery
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Last updated: 02/17/2009
The diagnosis of rotator cuff injury is based on a combination of clinical signs and symptoms, coupled with diagnostic testing. The most common clinical signs and symptoms include:
- tenderness in the rotator cuff
- pain associated with...
the movement of the arm above the head
- pain that is fairly constant but more intense at night
- weakness or pain with the forward movement of the arm
- muscle atrophy in long-term injuries that involve a complete tendon tear
X rays are used to rule out other types of injuries or abnormalities present in the shoulder region. While x rays are often used to help solidify the diagnosis, arthrography, ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the definitive tests in the diagnosis of rotator cuff injury. Arthography and ultrasonography of the shoulder can help determine whether or not there is a full tear in the rotator cuff. A MRI can help determine whether there is a full tear, partial tear, chronic tendonitis, or other cause of the shoulder pain. The final decision to repair the tear ultimately rests on the amount of pain and restriction suffered by the patient.
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Rotator cuff repair is a type of surgery to fix a torn tendon in the shoulder. The procedure can be done with a large ("open") incision or with shoulder arthroscopy, which uses small button-hole sized incisions.
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that form a cuff over the shoulder. These muscles and tendons hold the arm in its "ball and socket" joint and help the shoulder to rotate. The role of the tendons is to hold the powerful shoulder muscles to the shoulder and arm bones. The tendons can be torn from overuse or injury.
From http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007207.htm
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New procedures like minimally invasive procedures are often subject to scrutiny, but I think that one of the biggest problems facing these innovative procedures is for people to understand exactly what we do.
-Dr. Michael Perry, Laser Spine institute
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