Rebuild the shoulder strength you rely on for training, performing, and everyday movement. Dr. Stephanie Buza, fellowship-trained in sports medicine and shoulder surgery, treats rotator cuff and other shoulder tendon tears with individualized care focused on restoring your function.
Regain Strength for Active Movement
Rotator cuff repair is a surgical procedure that reconnects a torn shoulder tendon to the upper arm bone, helping restore strength and function. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize your shoulder and help lift and rotate your arm. When a tendon tears, persistent pain and weakness can interfere with sports, performance, or movement. Repair is commonly performed arthroscopically.
Rotator Cuff Repair Treats:
- Full-thickness rotator cuff tears
- Partial rotator cuff tears that require surgical repair
- Traumatic shoulder tendon tears
- Degenerative rotator cuff tears
- Shoulder weakness related to tendon damage
- Persistent pain associated with a rotator cuff tear
- Difficulty lifting or rotating your arm
- Tendon injuries that limit sports, dance, training, or everyday activities
Your Rotator Cuff Repair Procedure
Rotator cuff repair is performed arthroscopically through several small incisions called portals. Dr. Buza inserts an arthroscope to view the torn tendon, cartilage, and other structures inside your shoulder. Specialized instruments are passed through additional portals, allowing her to evaluate the tear and prepare the tendon and its attachment site on the upper arm bone.
Dr. Buza then places small suture anchors into the bone at the tendon’s normal attachment site. Sutures from these anchors are passed through the torn tendon and tightened, bringing it back against the bone so it can heal. The exact repair pattern depends on the size and configuration of your tear. Once the tendon is secured, the small incisions are closed.
Benefits of Rotator Cuff Repair:
- Reattachment of the torn tendon to its natural position
- Restoration of the muscle-tendon connection needed for shoulder movement
- Improved shoulder strength and function
- Greater stability and control during lifting and overhead movement
- Reduced pain associated with a symptomatic rotator cuff tear
- Small arthroscopic incisions in many cases
- Minimal disruption to surrounding shoulder tissues
- Preservation of your natural shoulder joint
Return to Activity After Rotator Cuff Repair
For the first 4 to 6 weeks, your main job is to protect the repair while the tendon begins healing back to the bone. You’ll wear a sling and start physical therapy with gentle movement. Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and overhead reaching will need to wait, even if your shoulder starts feeling better sooner.
From about 6 to 12 weeks, you’ll gradually regain active movement before progressing to strengthening, often in about 3 to 4 months. Athletes and performers can then begin rebuilding the power, control, and endurance their activities demand. Returning to heavy lifting, throwing, or high-level sports commonly takes 6 months or longer. Dr. Buza guides each stage based on how you’re healing.
Can a Rotator Cuff Tear Heal Without Surgery?
Some rotator cuff tears can be managed without surgery, although a completely torn tendon generally does not reattach itself to the bone. Physical therapy can improve the strength and mechanics of the surrounding shoulder muscles, while other conservative measures may help manage symptoms. Dr. Buza evaluates your individual injury and goals to determine whether non-operative care is appropriate.
Don’t Let an Injury Keep You Sidelined.
Schedule Your Consultation for Rotator Cuff Repair in NYC
Dr. Stephanie Buza is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in sports medicine and shoulder surgery at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). As a former classically trained ballet dancer, she understands how strength, control, and reliable movement can shape your ability to train and perform. She brings that perspective to individualized rotator cuff care. Schedule your consultation for rotator cuff repair with Dr. Buza in New York City today.
