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from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

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Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

If you have a torn rotator cuff, your doctor may recommend arthroscopic surgery to fix the tear.  During an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, your surgeon inserts a small camera, called an arthroscope, into your shoulder joint. The camera displays pictures on a television screen, and your surgeon uses these images to guide miniature surgical instruments.

Arthroscopic repair is usually performed as an outpatient procedure and is the least invasive method used to repair a torn rotator cuff.

There are several different arthroscopic techniques that can be used to repair a torn rotator cuff. This video demonstrates the steps involved in one type of arthroscopic repair.

 

 

Last Reviewed

December 2017

Contributed and/or Updated by

Stuart James Fischer, MD, FAAOS

AAOS does not endorse any treatments, procedures, products, or physicians referenced herein. This information is provided as an educational service and is not intended to serve as medical advice. Anyone seeking specific orthopaedic advice or assistance should consult his or her orthopaedic surgeon, or locate one in your area through the AAOS Find an Orthopaedist program on this website.