Rotator Cuff Disease
Mr. Richard Dallalana
MBBS FRACS FAOrthA
Background
Rotator cuff disease is the wearing out or tearing of the rotator cuff tendons of the
shoulder. It is a common disorder most often affecting people in their 50’s and 60’s.
Symptoms consist of pain and weakness with use, particularly when raising the arm.
Arthritis of the shoulder can develop with long term disease in severe cases. Treatment
can include rest, physiotherapy and injections but usually requires surgery to repair the
tear.
ANATOMY
The shoulder joint consists of a ball and socket, held together with loose ligaments and
surrounded by a cloak of tendons called the rotator cuff. There are 4 of these, and they
work to keep the ball centred in the socket and help to move the arm in certain
directions. Above the rotator cuff tendons is a fluid sac call the bursa which lies
between these tendons and the arch of bone forming the point of the shoulder (the
acromion). Making up part of this arch is a ligament called the CA ligament.
STRUCTURAL DAMAGE
Rotator cuff tearing is usually the result of the tendons of the rotator cuff pulling away
from the bone which they are attached to. Of the four tendons making up the rotator
cuff the one at the very top called the supraspinatus is the one most frequently torn.
Larger tears can involve 2, 3 or all 4 tendons of the rotator cuff. Associated with this
tearing is usually an element of inflammation of the bursal sack above the tendons called
bursitis and there may be a bone spur present. The thin biceps tendon which passes in
front of the shoulder may also be frayed or damaged in conjunction with rotator cuff
injuries.
Symptoms
Pain from rotator cuff disease is usually felt over the top and front of the shoulder and
may travel down the outside of the arm towards the elbow. It may be very difficult to
lie on the affected shoulder at night time. Weakness may be noticed when moving the
arm in certain directions and most often when trying to raise it above shoulder height.
The severity of pain does not usually correlate with the size of the tear. Merely
inflamed tendons or those with a small “partial thickness” tear may be more painful than
those completely torn.
Initial symptoms can settle with medication or injections, only to flare up again with
excessive use of the arm or with repeated minor trauma. This fluctuating course of
improving and worsening symptoms is frequent.
Consequences
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Pain in the shoulder tends to worsen with time.
Interference with normal daily duties and work – manual labour may not be
possible.
The tears often increase in size with time leading to further weakness.
With long standing large tears arthritis can ultimately develop. At this point the
rotator cuff tears are not able to be repaired surgically and treatment is along
the lines of an arthritic shoulder. This may include joint replacement.
Treatment
Rotator cuff tears especially small tears of a single tendon in a person of advanced age
can be managed initially without surgery. This treatment includes:
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Avoiding persistent overhead duties or heavy lifting or any other specific
aggravating activity.
Physiotherapy designed to maintain flexibility and improve the strength of the
remaining good rotator cuff tendons and also to maintain good posture.
Analgesic and anti-inflammatory medication.
Injections of local anaesthetic with cortisone. These injections help to settle
inflammation however do not alter the underlying structure of the tendons.
Excessive use of cortisone is recognized to weaken tendons and should be
discouraged.
Large tears of the rotator cuff which involve one or more of the tendons particularly in
a younger person are best treated with surgery in the first instance. Surgery is also
appropriate for the smaller tears discussed above when symptoms do not resolve with
the measures outlined.
The surgery
Surgery to repair rotator cuff tears is designed primarily to encourage healing of the
tendon back down to the bone. This is performed mostly via a keyhole (arthroscopic
technique) and occasionally as a combination of keyhole technique with a small incision.
Initially 3 or 4 incisions (1cm each) are made around the shoulder through which the
camera (arthroscope) and arthroscopic instruments are inserted. It is often necessary
to initially shave the bone of the acromion to remove a spur and create more room for
the tendons to move as well as to remove scar tissue and a thickened C/A ligament if
present. Once this is accomplished the rotator cuff tendons are repaired to the bone
using small plastic tacks within the bone connected to stitches which are passed through
the tendons. The inflamed bursa covering the rotator cuff is also removing during this
procedure.
The keyhole technique has some advantages compared with traditional methods of ‘open’
surgery using larger incisions:
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Less pain
Shorter hospital stay (day case or overnight only)
Lower chance of infection
Faster initial rehabilitation
Less stiffness (restriction of movement) following the surgery
Better ability to identify and treat other areas of damage
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Fig. 4 shoulder arthroscopy
Occasionally for very large tears or when work needs to be done to the small biceps
tendon also a 4 cm incision is made over the front of the shoulder to facilitate this.
This is later closed with a dissolving stitch.
What to expect after the surgery
You will wake up in the recovery area of the operating suite with a bulky dressing over
the shoulder and a sling applied.
Pain will be present however not extreme. By evening it should be well controlled with
tablets. Occasionally a small dose of a strong pain killer given via injection is needed.
The shoulder will be swollen for approximately 24 hours due to collection of sterile fluid
used during the operation to enable vision inside the joint.
Discharge from hospital is usual the following morning but may be in the same evening
following a morning operation. The bulky dressing is taken down and the small waterproof
dressings replaced if soiled. These should be left in place until the 2 week postoperative review by Mr. Dallalana, and the date of this will be given to you at the time
the surgery is booked. You may shower but try not to directly soak the dressings each
day.
A physiotherapist will see you prior to discharge and instruct on simple exercises to do
and how to manage the sling. In general terms the sling should be used when ambulant
for the first 6 weeks in order to minimize movement while the rotator cuff tendons
heal. It can be taken off for showering and for periods of time to do exercises and
when resting quietly at home. It may be taken off at night.
You will receive a short (usually 5 day) supply of pain killing tablets to use at your
discretion. This is usually a combination of paracetamol, an anti-inflammatory and an
opiate such as endone or oxycontin. Reaction to the tablets may occur and can include a
rash, nausea, stomach pain, dizziness and light-headedness. Stop them and see your local
doctor for alternatives if needed.
The small wounds usually heal well with only a faint scar ultimately visible.
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In the short term, the size of the muscle surrounding the shoulder will decrease due to
lack of use. This will return following rehabilitation but will take many months.
Rehabilitation
The goal of the rehabilitation period which can take up to 6 months is to initially rest
the shoulder allowing the tendons to heal, then to gradually build up flexibility, and lastly
to develop strength.
Initial instructions for basic movement exercises some within the sling and some out of
the sling will be given by a physiotherapist prior to leaving hospital on the following day.
It is important to stick to these guidelines within the first 6 weeks following the
surgery so as to maintain some movement and flexibility in the shoulder to prevent it
from seizing up while the tendons heal. These are gentle movements designed to
discourage active use of the muscles and tendons of the rotator cuff.
From the review at the 6 week point following surgery the sling will be discarded and
physiotherapy will be usually be arranged. Home exercises should continue and are
important to regain movement at this stage. From 12 weeks following surgery resistance
exercises to gradually develop muscle strength may be initiated.
The strengthening program will progress with gradually increasing loads to restore the
shoulder to full or near full strength by the 6-9 month period following the surgery.
Some improvement is often seen up to 1 year following surgery.
Although the procedure is often performed through an arthroscopic or keyhole
technique keeping pain levels down the actual healing time for the tendons is no
different than if the surgery were performed through a more traditional larger incision.
Some discomfort in the shoulder is expected particularly if full movement hasn’t been
regained up to 3 months following the surgery. Night pain may persist until this time
also.
Driving is not permitted while the sling is in use.
Light manual use of the arm is permitted from the time the sling is discarded, avoiding
activities which create pain.
Heavier tasks at home or at work are not advised until at least 3 months following the
surgery. In most cases heavy labouring work will not be possible until 6 months.
Timing of return to sporting activities needs to be individualized however is not usually
possible before 6 months.
Complications
Complications are rare from this type of surgery. The procedure generally takes
between one and two hours to perform and there is minimal blood loss. Some of the
more common or important potential complications or consequences are outlined below.
1. Some complications which are related more directly to the shoulder:
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Bleeding under the skin related to the arthroscopy entry holes leading to local
bruising. This bruising may run down the arm and across to the chest area. It is
common, goes away in a couple of weeks, and does not require treatment.
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Infection may occur and may be indicated by an increase in pain, fever, nausea
and generally feeling unwell. The surgical wounds may be surrounded by
reddening of the skin and may discharge fluid, blood or pus. There may be a foul
odour. Infection around the small wounds only will settle without consequence
after treatment to the area such as removing the stitch, local dressings and
possibly antibiotic tablets. Infection deep within the shoulder is very rare
however more serious when it occurs, and may require surgical washout of the
shoulder along with prolonged courses of antibiotics. This type of infection may
lead to permanent damage to the cartilage within the shoulder joint.
Stiffness (restricted movement) may occur despite appropriate rehabilitation
with exercise and physiotherapy. It is uncommon. On occasions a brief procedure
under anaesthetic may be required to free up the shoulder.
Failure of the procedure will result in persistent pain and weakness of the
shoulder. This may happen due to re-tearing of the rotator cuff tendon, or
persistent inflammation. Failure usually occurs following another injury to the
shoulder but may occur with only minimal trauma. Surgery is not always
necessary for recurrence of symptoms, or re-tearing of the rotator cuff.
Nerve injury resulting in weakness of the muscles around the shoulder or of the
arm or hand, and / or loss of feeling in the skin in the same areas, has been
reported following this type of surgery. It may result from stretching of the
nerves during grasping and positioning of the arm during the surgery, or direct
damage to the nerve from the arthroscope or arthroscopic instruments used.
Nerve injury is usually temporary but rarely may be permanent. Permanent nerve
injury may require grafting or other corrective surgery.
Injury to the major blood vessels passing by the shoulder is possible however
extremely rare. If this happens, surgery to reconstruct the artery or vein could
be needed. Permanent loss of muscle function in the arm or hand may occur.
2. Some complications of a more general nature:
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The surgery is carried out under general anaesthetic which is extremely safe,
however on very rare instances a problem relating to the airway, lungs or heart
and circulation may occur. Occasionally a nerve block is recommended which can
have its own complications. My anaesthetist will be happy to provide further
details relating to nerve blocks or other issues regarding the anaesthetic on
request. You will be given contact details for the anaesthetist at the time of
surgery booking.
An intravenous line is always required, and often an additional line into a small
artery near the wrist to monitor blood pressure. Its use may result in pain or
bruising at the point of entry, and rarely an infection or thrombosis of the vein
or artery.
Blood clots in the veins of the calf and / or leg (Deep Venous Thrombosis) may
occur despite the surgery not involving these areas. It is very rare but when
large can pose the threat of movement of the clots within the veins to the lungs
(Pulmonary Embolus) and this can be serious or even fatal.
Infection within the body at a place other than the shoulder can occur, e.g.
pneumonia, urinary or blood infection. This is more likely in elderly people or
those who smoke cigarettes.
Allergy to the antibiotic which is routinely used immediately prior to the surgery
can occur. This most often causes a rash. Very rarely when serious an allergy can
cause obstruction to the airway or reduced blood pressure.
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In case of problems:
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Pain control – contact local GP initially if you have run out of the tablets given to
you at discharge, or you are experiencing side-effects.
Signs of infection (persistent increase in pain, wound discharge beyond 2 days
following surgery, foul odour, fevers) – contact Mr. Dallalana via the rooms or
through the hospital where you had your surgery if out of business hours. A GP
may be contacted for review at the same time.
Tingling in the arm or hand or calf pain – contact Mr. Dallalana via the rooms or
GP. Contact the hospital where you had your operation if out of hours.
Numbness or persistent coolness in the hand or fingers – attend the nearest
emergency department.
Shortness of breath, severe lack of energy or sudden high fevers with chills or
shakes – attend nearest emergency department.
Non-urgent matters should be listed for discussion at the next review with Mr. Dallalana
or alternatively queries can be directed via email or by calling the rooms.
Certificates can be obtained at review or by your GP at other times.
Rooms at: 71/166 Gipps st. East Melbourne 3002
and suite 54, Cabrini Medical centre, Isabella St. Malvern
Phone (03) 8415 1907
e-mail: dallar@parkclinic.com.au
Mercy Private hospital 9928 6555
Web: www.parkclinic.com.au
Cabrini Hospital 9508 1222
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