Rotator Cuff Retear After Surgery: Causes, Risks & Prevention

If you've already had rotator cuff surgery, retearing the same muscle group can be frustrating. It's natural to wonder if you might have done something differently to avoid reinjury or if you need to worry about the future. The following is a brief analysis of the causes and effects of rotator cuff retears.

Causes

• After surgery, the rotator cuff may retear if the patient is active too soon, ignores doctor's orders, participates in sports or lifts heavy objects. Overall poor nutrition and older age may also be factors.

Likelihood of Retear

• A retear is possible if the first tear was large or the surgery was complex. Other causes of retears are torn stitches and weak bones.

Frequency

• According to Nathan Wei in an article for Arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com, in tears of less than 4 cms, the retear rate is 10 percent. In tears greater than 4 cms, the rate may be as high as 30 percent (see linked article in References).

Effects

• Retearing your rotator cuff may negate the first surgery, taking you back to step one. After your second surgery, you should anticipate receiving similar therapy and instructions. Unless the retear is caused by significant trauma, the effects of the retear will usually be no worse than those from the initial surgery.

Treatment

• Treatment is usually the same as for the initial surgery. Your physician may recommend a period of rest followed by physical therapy and then conditioning to restore a full range of motion.

Recovery Time

• The more complex your initial surgery, the longer your recovery time may take. The median time that most patients will be in a sling is approximately 5 weeks. Physical therapy to regain strength and range of motion takes approximately 10 weeks.