A rotator cuff tear that goes through most or all of the thickness of the cuff can mean a complex surgery followed by long months of recovery and rehabilitation. However, technological advances make the process faster and less exhaustive than in the past.
As a sports medicine doctor, San Francisco-based Dr. Jeffrey Halbrecht has developed an advanced method for repairing rotator cuff injuries. At the Institute for Arthroscopy & Sports Medicine (IASM) in San Francisco, California, Dr. Halbrecht and his partner Dr. Dickinson routinely employ his revolutionary rotator cuff repair device known as the Versalok to shorten both surgery and recovery times.
Your shoulder consists of three bones: the humerus, scapula, and clavicle. Your upper arm fits into the socket of your shoulder blade, and your rotator cuff holds it in place.
Your rotator cuff is a set of four muscles and tendons that wrap around the shoulder joint, keeping your upper arm bone (humerus) seated firmly between the shoulder blade and clavicle (collarbone). The cuff stabilizes the entire joint, making it possible for you to easily lift, move, and rotate your arm.
If your rotator cuff is torn, the symptoms are easy to recognize. First comes a deep, dull pain that doesn’t respond to heat, cold, or over-the-counter pain medications, and keeps you awake at night.
You’ll also likely notice a marked weakness in your arm, finding it difficult to hold or lift things. You may also experience loss of mobility, and find it impossible to raise or twist your shoulder, as you would to put on a shirt or brush your hair.
In the past, one of the worst injuries an athlete could have was a rotator cuff tear. San Francisco-based residents, however, can benefit from the innovative care and expertise available at IASM.
Since most rotator cuff tears can’t heal on their own, surgery is the standard of care. At IASM, most shoulder surgery is done arthroscopically, to minimize trauma to the tissues of the shoulder and speed recovery time.
As a highly skilled shoulder doctor in San Francisco, Dr. Halbrecht and his partner Dr. Dickinson are in demand for rotator cuff repair. Dr. Halbrecht developed the Versalok rotator cuff repair device to deliver even faster repair and recovery times with superior results after surgery.
Unlike standard rotator cuff repair methods, which involve bulky suture knots that can become a lasting irritant in the tissue, Versalock creates just the right amount of tension to restore function and mobility, resulting in a better, stronger repair.
Versalok also cuts rotator cuff repair times by as much as half, meaning a shorter time in surgery and a faster recovery thanks to minimized trauma.
Experiencing deep shoulder pain, arm weakness, and limited mobility? Have your rotator cuff injury evaluated at IASM by one of our skilled orthopedic doctors. Call our office at 415-233-7996, or book an appointment online today.
