Surgical procedures
Rotator cuff repairs
Arthroscopic reattachment of a torn rotator cuff tendon to the bone, relieving pain and restoring strength through small keyhole incisions.
Minimally invasive
Outpatient
Restores strength
What is a rotator cuff repair?
A rotator cuff repair reattaches a torn cuff tendon to its natural footprint on the arm bone. Dr. Cohn performs it arthroscopically, through several small keyhole incisions, using a camera and small instruments.
Tiny anchors hold the tendon to the bone while it heals back into place. Other shoulder problems found at the same time, such as a frayed biceps tendon or bone spur, are addressed in the same procedure.
What & why
Why it's recommended
A full-thickness rotator cuff tear
Pain and weakness that persist despite therapy
An acute tear in an active patient
A tear that is enlarging over time
At a glance
Minimally invasive
Arthroscopic repair means small incisions, less disruption to healthy tissue, and a reliable path back to a strong, comfortable shoulder.
Anesthesia & hospital stay
The day of surgery
The procedure usually takes one to two hours. You'll be fully asleep, with a nerve block for comfort afterward.
General anesthesia
Completely asleep, with a nerve block for lasting comfort.
1–2 hours
Time depends on the size of the tear and any added work.
Home same day
Rotator cuff repair is an outpatient procedure.
Outpatient setting
Performed at Summit Atlantic Surgery Center or Overlook.
Recovery timeline & milestones
What recovery looks like
Healing a tendon back to bone takes patience, with motion restored before strength.
Protect
A sling protects the repair while gentle passive motion keeps the joint supple.
Restore motion
Therapy progresses from passive to active motion as the tendon heals.
Build strength
Strengthening gradually loads the cuff and surrounding muscles.
Return to activity
Most patients return to sport and demanding work, with strength improving up to a year.
Risks & benefits
Weighing the procedure
- Relief of pain, including night pain
- Restored strength and overhead function
- Minimally invasive, with small incisions
- Addresses associated problems at the same time
- Stiffness during recovery
- Re-tearing of the repaired tendon, especially with large tears
- Infection, uncommon with arthroscopy
- Temporary nerve irritation
Treats these conditions
Rotator cuff repair is the primary surgical treatment for rotator cuff tears, and often addresses biceps tendinitis at the same time.
FAQ
Common questions
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Usually four to six weeks, to protect the repair while the tendon heals to the bone. Dr. Cohn tailors the timing to your tear.
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No, Dr. Cohn performs the repair arthroscopically, through small keyhole incisions, which spares healthy tissue and aids recovery.
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Most patients regain excellent strength and comfortable function after a full rehabilitation, though large tears recover more gradually.
Related conditions