Rotator cuff repair surgery is performed when tendons are severely injured, causing partial or complete tendon tearing. What is this procedure, and how is it done in Turkey?
Several methods are available for rotator cuff tear treatment, including modern shoulder arthroscopy, characterized by its low risk and safety. It also has a high success rate and very low risks.
Whether the affected tendon is one of the rotator cuff tendons or the biceps tendon in the arm, surgery may be necessary to repair and restore the torn or damaged tendon. What are the risks of rotator cuff repair surgery, what modern surgical techniques are used, and what are their costs? Follow along for answers to these questions.
What is rotator cuff repair surgery?
Rotator cuff repair surgery aims to repair moderate to severe injuries in the tendons. When you suffer a tear in one of the tendons of your shoulder joint, you may experience pain and difficulty moving your arm freely, indicating the need for surgical intervention to alleviate these symptoms.
Tendons are soft cords that connect muscles to bones to stabilize the joint during movement. When you contract a muscle, the tendons pull the bone to allow smooth joint movement.
Injury to the shoulder joint tendons is common because these tendons are responsible for a wide range of movements, making them susceptible to inflammation. If left untreated, inflammation of the shoulder tendons can progress to tendon tearing.
The main goal of the surgery is to restore normal shoulder movement and alleviate the pain experienced by the patient. Surgery is usually considered a last resort when other treatment methods, such as physical therapy or pain-relieving medications, fail to alleviate the symptoms.
How is rotator cuff repair surgery performed in Turkey?
The surgeon performs this procedure either using arthroscopy or traditional surgery, which allows them to repair and restore the damaged parts of the tendon. The surgeon may also graft tendons from other parts of the body.
Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery in Turkey
Shoulder arthroscopy offers several advantages over traditional surgery as it is minimally invasive and does not require large surgical incisions. Additionally, the recovery period is relatively short, allowing the patient to return to their everyday life quickly after the procedure.
Shoulder arthroscopy allows the surgeon to obtain a clear view of the shoulder structure and tendons, aiding in the early diagnosis of tendon injuries and tears. Its role is not limited to diagnosis; it is also used to manage ligament and tendon tears in the shoulder.
Arthroscopy involves a tube equipped with a light and camera lens at the bottom connected to a video screen for displaying images of the shoulder joint captured by the camera. After local anesthesia, the surgeon makes small incisions not exceeding 0.5 cm in the skin to insert surgical instruments and the arthroscope through these incisions.
In cases of rotator cuff injury, the torn rotator cuff may be reattached to the end of the humerus bone in the arm, or the ends of the torn tendon may be sutured and connected together. At the same time, the surgeon examines the surrounding tissues around the tendons for any damage to blood vessels or nearby nerves. The surgeon may simply smooth and repair the tendon edges when the tear is only partial.
Traditional rotator cuff repair surgery
Traditional surgery is preferred when the shoulder joint injury is complex and mixed with other injuries. The procedure involves making an incision several centimeters above the shoulder and dissecting or separating parts of the muscles around the shoulder to see the damaged tendon.
The ruptured rotator cuff tendon is then manually repaired by attaching it to a bony end, or the surgeon may simply smooth it, depending on the degree and severity of the tendon tear.
Treatment is more difficult for severe and complete tendon tears, known as irreparable tears. A new method has recently emerged involving grafting tissues from another body part. The graft does not replace the severed tendon entirely but serves a similar function, significantly alleviating the injury symptoms.
Post-rotator cuff repair surgery
Patients can usually return home after a rotator cuff operation, and the anesthesia wears off on the same day. Staying in the hospital for a short period is a precautionary measure to ensure that the procedure is free of complications.
Feeling pain and discomfort is normal, as it is considered part of the healing process. The specialist doctor will prescribe medications to alleviate the pain, such as ibuprofen or other pain relievers, as needed.
The recovery period may take up to 4 months for the person to be able to return to their daily activities. This period may vary depending on the severity of the tendon injury and how the surgical procedure is performed, as arthroscopy is associated with a shorter recovery period.
During the recovery period, the shoulder joint may be immobilized using a brace or splint because it helps accelerate wound healing and tendon recovery. Of course, physical therapy and rehabilitation after shoulder tendon tear surgery play an important role in gradually regaining strength and flexibility.
Risks of rotator cuff repair surgery
The surgery usually proceeds without problems or complications, especially when performed using the latest methods under the supervision of an experienced doctor with expertise in this type of surgery. However, medical interventions are not without the possibility of some complications, even if they are extremely rare, including:
- Bleeding or infection at the surgical incision site
- Formation of scar tissue in the surgical area
- Stiffness or rigidity in the shoulder joint
- Pain in the shoulder following the surgery
- Recurrence of the injury and failure of the torn tendon in shoulder to heal, leading to re-tearing
Rotator cuff repair surgery cost in Turkey
The cost varies from case to case, depending on the method of surgery and the severity of the damage to the shoulder joint tendons. When the need arises for grafting tendons, the cost is higher than when the surgery is limited to only smoothing and repairing the torn shoulder ligament.
The cost of rotator cuff repair surgery in Turkey ranges from around $5000 to $8500 US Dollars in severe and complex cases of shoulder cuff tear, which remains much lower than in other countries. You can contact us for price details and guidance to the best treatment centers in Turkey that suit your condition.
In conclusion, the methods for performing rotator cuff repair surgery have evolved significantly, and arthroscopy remains the preferred option because it is easy to perform, low-risk, and not associated with extensive surgical scarring compared to traditional surgery. Therefore, Turkey has worked to provide the latest types of shoulder arthroscopes used for diagnosing and treating various diseases and problems, including shoulder cuff injury.
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