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Rotator cuff repair surgery
- Rated ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ by 97% of orthopaedic patients
- Appointment confirmed within 24 hours
- No.1 in London for private orthopaedic care, as reported by PHIN
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ROTATOR CUFF REPAIR SURGERY AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
At HCA UK, we have access to the latest diagnostic technology, so we can quickly and accurately diagnose your rotator cuff injury. Our expert orthopaedic team comprises musculoskeletal and orthopaedic consultants from across 10 specialist fields, including shoulder specialists, who’ll recommend the most effective treatment for your condition.
If you require rotator cuff repair surgery, this can be carried out at one of our leading private hospitals in central London or in Birmingham and Cheshire. We’ll take care of you before, during and after your procedure, with our highly skilled physiotherapists supporting your recovery and helping you get back to doing the things you love.
If you require rotator cuff repair surgery, this can be carried out at one of our leading private hospitals in central London or in Birmingham and Cheshire. We’ll take care of you before, during and after your procedure, with our highly skilled physiotherapists supporting your recovery and helping you get back to doing the things you love.
The shoulder is a ball and socket joint. It’s made up of the humeral head, which is the ball shape at the top of the upper arm bone (humerus), and the socket (glenoid) on the flat shoulder blade.
The rotator cuff is the name given to the group of four shoulder muscles and the tendons that surround the shoulder joint. Tendons are strong bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones.
In the shoulder joint, each rotator cuff muscle is connected to the humeral head by tendons. These keep the glenoid stable so that the ball is centred in the socket. When you move your arm, the rotator cuff muscles contract. This stops the head of the humerus from sliding out of the socket, keeping it in place while allowing for a full range of motion and controlling those movements.
If you’ve torn your rotator cuff, the main symptoms you’ll experience are pain and weakness. The pain could be a constant dull ache, which is usually made worse by movement. It's often felt down the side of the arm, not in the shoulder itself.
If you tear your rotator cuff in an accident, you might find the pain is severe, sharp and sudden.
Other symptoms of a rotator cuff injury include:
- A feeling of weakness when you raise your arm or move your arm from the shoulder
- Not being able to move your shoulder fully without experiencing pain
- A clicking, grating or cracking sound when you move your shoulder, which is caused by the uneven surfaces from the tear rubbing together.
Rotator cuff tears can be categorised in several ways.
It's possible to have a partial or full tear:
- Partial tear: This is where the tendon has been damaged but it's not a complete tear. This means that the tendon is still attached to the bone, but it’s weakened by the damage.
- Full tear: The tendon has torn completely and is completely detached (torn away) from the bone. This is known as a full-thickness complete tear.
It’s possible to tear some or all of the tendons:
- Small tear: A single tendon
- Large tear: Two or more tendons, or more than 2cm in size
- Massive tear: Three tendons, or more than 5cm in size
It’s possible to tear quickly or slowly:
- Degenerate tears occur over months or years as part of ageing
- Acute traumatic tears occur after a fall, crash or wrench
It’s also possible to have new and old tears:
- Acute tears are younger than six months old and can usually be repaired
- Chronic tears are older than six months and may be irreparable as the muscle shortens irreversibly.
The type of tear you have will often dictate the type of surgery your consultant recommends.
Rotator cuff repair surgery is a procedure that repairs torn or injured tendons in the shoulder, with the aim of restoring function and reducing pain in the affected area. It involves reattaching tendons that have torn off the ball of the shoulder joint at the top of the arm bone.
During the procedure, injured tendons and muscles are repaired. This may include replacing damaged parts of the tendon with healthy tendon taken from another part of the body (known as a graft). If any bone spurs (bony lumps that form on the end of bones) are found, these will be removed.
The repair is done to relieve pain and improve strength and movement in the shoulder. Physiotherapy will be needed after surgery.
If your shoulder pain does not improve with non-surgical methods, such as steroid injections and physiotherapy, your consultant may offer surgery as an option for a torn rotator cuff.
Also, if you’re very active and use your arms for overhead work or sports, you might need a rotator cuff operation to ensure that your shoulder can support these activities that affect the area.
Other factors that make surgery the best treatment option include:
- Your symptoms have lasted six to 12 months
- Your tear was caused by a recent, sudden accident
- You have weakness and loss of function in your shoulder
- You have a large tear that's more than 3cm in size
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic care
10
specialist orthopaedic fields offering personalised treatment
97%
of our patients are likely to recommend us to family and friends
Fast access to specialists
appointments bookable online or by phone
Expert orthopaedic treatments
from specialist shoulder and elbow consultants
State-of-the-art diagnostics
with results in as little as 48 hours
ROTATOR CUFF SURGERY
What to expect
From the moment you step through the door until you’re ready to leave, we want you to feel as comfortable and reassured as possible.
One of the ways we can put you at ease is to let you know what to expect at each stage. If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, or in the FAQs section below, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to help in any way they can.
One of the ways we can put you at ease is to let you know what to expect at each stage. If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, or in the FAQs section below, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to help in any way they can.
01
Initial consultation
Whether you’ve self-referred or have a referral from your GP, the first step is always an initial consultation with one of our shoulder specialists.
At this appointment, your consultant will ask about your medical history and carry out a physical examination of your shoulder to assess its range of movement, strength and stability. They’ll also ask about any movements that make the pain worse and arrange any necessary imaging tests.
02
Tests and scans
At HCA UK, you’ll have access to the UK’s most comprehensive private diagnostics network. Your consultant may arrange for you to have an ultrasound or an MRI scan. These will let your consultant view your shoulder in more detail so they can make a diagnosis.
Your consultant will share your results with you and recommend the best course of treatment for your shoulder injury. If you need surgery, they’ll explain the procedure to you, ensuring you’re aware of every detail so you know what to expect, and answer any questions you may have.
You’ll also be given information on what you need to do to prepare for your surgery.
03
Surgery
You’ll be given a general anaesthetic before your surgery. There are two types of rotator cuff operation: arthroscopic or open surgery. The type of surgery you have will depend on how advanced the tear is. Below is a detailed description of what you can expect:
Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery
Most rotator cuff repair operations are carried out arthroscopically. Your surgeon will make small cuts around your shoulder so that they can then pass equipment, which includes a small surgical camera (arthroscope), into the joint.
The camera projects images of the inside of your shoulder onto a monitor and your surgeon uses these images to locate the damaged part of your rotator cuff. Specialised equipment is used to reattach the tendon to the upper arm bone.
Open rotator cuff repair surgery
If you have a large tear in your rotator cuff, open surgery may be recommended. This involves the surgeon making one large incision in the deltoid muscle (the thick muscle covering the shoulder joint) to give them greater access to the torn tendon and allowing them to view it directly.
Reattaching the torn tendon is done in the same way as the arthroscopic operation. Stitches or staples are used to close the incision.
Other procedures
If you have a partial tear, a procedure called a ‘trans-tendon’ repair can be carried out to reinforce the damaged part, or the tear can be completed and repaired as a normal full-thickness tear.
A thin degenerate tendon can be thickened by adding a patch of material to the repair.
04
After surgery
We’ll monitor you closely after your procedure and keep you comfortable with pain relief medication. If you’ve had arthroscopic surgery, you should be able to go home on the same day. However, if you’ve had open surgery you’ll probably need to stay with us overnight.
We’ll cover the incision made during your operation with a dressing and you'll be advised on how to reduce the risk of infection around the incision site.
Any stitches or clips are usually removed after one to two weeks. We'll invite you to a follow-up assessment around six weeks after your operation. It can take up to a year to get back enough strength in your shoulder to return to normal activities.
Locations
Choose from our private hospitals in London, West Midlands and Cheshire for your rotator cuff repair surgery.
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Wilmslow Hospital
52-54 Alderley Road Wilmslow SK9 1NY Cheshire
The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2TQ Birmingham
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what treatments you’re paying for.
Find out more
Rotator cuff repair surgery FAQs
The type of repair you’ll need depends on several factors, including the size of your tear, your anatomy, and the quality of the tendon tissue and bone. Many surgical repairs can be done on a day-case basis and don’t require an overnight stay in the hospital.
Your consultant will explain how the procedure works and tell you what to expect on the day of your rotator cuff repair operation and the days that follow. They’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about the procedure.
Before you have your surgery, you’ll need to arrange for someone to pick you up from the hospital, as you won't be able to drive. It’s also a good idea to arrange for someone to assist you at home while you recover.
It’s important to remember that recovery from rotator cuff repair is quite a long process. Everyone’s recovery is different, but this should give you a general idea of what to expect:
Three months after surgery
The tendon takes three months to heal back to the bone. During this time, you should avoid using your shoulder, as the repair is not strong enough. Our physiotherapy team will give you gentle exercises to help regain the range of movement in your shoulder in a way that is safe and protects the repair.
Six months after surgery
Once the tendon is healed, our physiotherapists will help you start to rebuild the muscles that have not been able to exercise for many weeks. This will help you regain strength in your shoulder. It’s important to relearn the muscle patterns with physio supervision, so to avoid the complications of poor coordination.
Nine months after surgery
By now you should have a fairly ‘normal’ shoulder, and you can start to train for your chosen work and leisure activities. However, before you start exercising, always ask your healthcare team or your consultant for advice. It's important to be aware that you may not get back the same strength that you had before you damaged your shoulder.
Up to, and over, a year
Data shows that shoulders can continue to improve a little, even this long after rotator cuff repair surgery.
This depends on how severe your injury was, the type of surgery you had and how your shoulder heals. Your consultant will be able to advise you.
A rotator cuff tear operation is usually only recommended if other types of treatment haven't been successful, or if surgery is the best option for your injury. In most cases, your consultant will initially suggest non-surgical treatments for your shoulder cuff tear, such as:
- Lifestyle changes and rest: By resting your shoulder and making changes in your daily activities, such as how you lift items, you can help reduce pain and swelling in the joint.
- Pain management: The inflammation of the soft tissue surrounding the tear in your rotator cuff can cause pain and discomfort in the shoulder. You may be offered paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Other painkillers, such as codeine, may be recommended if suitable. Icing the shoulder throughout the day may help to reduce pain and swelling, too.
- Physiotherapy: Exercises designed to strengthen the shoulder joint and reduce pain can be tailored to suit you. Our physiotherapists can help you build strength in the shoulder, stabilising the joint and preventing further tearing.
If these treatments are unsuccessful or your pain becomes more severe, your consultant may then recommend the following:
- Steroid injections: In some cases, steroid injections may be applied to the shoulder joint. These contain an artificial version of the natural hormone cortisol. They can help reduce inflammation and pain caused by tendonitis or a tear in the rotator cuff.
The cost of private rotator cuff surgery depends on the tests and treatment you require. Payment can be made through your medical insurance provider or by yourself. If you're a self-pay patient, please ask your consultant for information on treatment prices.
Please get in touch for more information about pricing and the estimated cost of private rotator cuff surgery.
At HCA UK, we want you to feel in control of your health. That’s why we let our patients choose which consultant they see. You can use our online Consultant Finder to view all our shoulder specialists and use the ‘filter by’ button to find an HCA UK location that suits you. You can then book an appointment with your chosen consultant online, or, if you prefer, you can book by calling us on 020 3214 3424.
Remember to have your referral letter to hand. If you have private medical insurance, you’ll also need your membership number and authorisation code. If you have any special requests, please call us and your appointment will be confirmed by the next working day at the latest.
Our patients’ stories
An Olympian effort: Chris’ fast-track to recovery
When Chris was told the surgery he needed on his shoulder would likely make him unable to compete professionally in 2023, Chris dug deep into those reserves and hoped he could excel once more.
Back on track: How surgery helped a visitor from America get free from pain
Brandon Zuck had just arrived in the UK from America. It was the beginning of a holiday he’d been looking forward to, a chance to catch up with friends, a little sightseeing. Needless to say, a complex surgical procedure was not on the must-do list.
Getting back to the fairway – Darryck’s hip replacement
After injuring himself doing DIY, Darryck knew that he’d need an expert to help with his hip. Little did he know that a golf course connection would be his solution after months of pain.
“Elite athletes from all over the country travel to see Professor Funk. When I called him, I expected to have to wait months. But he invited me down the next day. It was the quickest I’d ever seen a consultant.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.