Rotator cuff tear

[Dr. Joe Rozencwajg, NMD]

Repairing the tear depends on what you find and when you operate: if it is
pretty fresh you just approximate the extremities, put the arm at rest for a
few weeks, then start reeducation.
In old fibrotic situations you might use tendons transplants from other
muscles in the area, gracilis tendon transplant or even synthetic fibers....
....it has been years since I left surgery but I think the same techniques
are still actual.
Dr. J. Rozencwajg, MD, PhD, NMD.
"The greatest enemy of any science is a closed mind".

[Rosemary C. Hyde, Ph.D.]

Hi, Jean.

Interesting thought. It's possible that in this person the bone quality has
declined, although as recently as two years ago, a bone density test
indicated that bone quality was fine, not in the shoulder but overall. But
this is the age range where osteoporosis often does set in.

It's extremely likely both that the bone has become uneven and rough,
thereby abrading the tendons, and that the tendons have thickened and
calicified from these repeated injuries. With the resulting loss of
elasticity, the tendons are more likely to tear.

Thanks. It's definitely helpful in thinking of remedies to reflect on the
underlying pathological changes and processes.

Rosemary