Rotator Cuff Repair–Arthroscopic (Includes Implants & Hardware)
Rotator Cuff Repair (Arthroscopic)
Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair is a minimally invasive procedure to reattach rotator cuff tendon tears. Surgeons operate on the shoulder using small incisions and use an arthroscope and small instruments. The Rotator Cuff Repair (Arthroscopic) procedure typically leads to a faster recovery time with less inflammation, discomfort and scarring than an open approach. A tear of the rotator cuff is a common injury in which the tendons are pulled off their insertion on the humerus. This often leads to pain and weakness in the shoulder and upper arm requiring surgery to remedy.
Preparation for Rotator Cuff Repair (Arthroscopic)
Tell your health care provider what medicines you are taking. This includes medicines, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescription. Pre surgical preparations for Rotator Cuff Repair (Arthroscopic) may include: Physical examination to include assessment of the AC joint tenderness and or pain with shoulder adduction. Obtain radiographs. Consider magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate the characteristics of the tear.
FAQS
Frequently asked questions about surgical procedures
Can I use my insurance and get these prices?
Payment is due 14 calendar days prior to your surgery date. If, after the cutoff, your account is not settled, your case must be postponed.
How quickly can I have surgery?
How will I meet my surgeon?
If I had a car or work accident, would you work with my employer or attorney for payment?
What if I get sick right before my surgery?
You could develop a respiratory infection, a urinary tract infection, COVID, or some other condition that may necessitate postponement. There is no penalty when this happens.
What’s Included:
- Facility fee
- Graft and hardware costs (if needed)
- Surgeon and assistant surgeon fees
- Anesthesiologist
- Time in the recovery unit (at no additional charge)
- Initial consultation visit
- One post-operative visit
*Please note: If you choose not to proceed with surgery after the initial consultation, or if you delay your procedure for more than 6 weeks, you will need to update your consultation at a cost of $375.
What’s not included:
- Lab testing before and after the surgery, as needed
- Electrocardiogram (EKG), depending on age. If you had one elsewhere in the past 6 months and it read “normal”, we can forego this expense.
- Imaging costs. X-rays and MRIs can be obtained anywhere.
- Physical therapy services
- Medications you’ll need (oral or IV antibiotic infusions if an infection arises)
- Wound care
- Bracing supplies
- Additional doctor visits (a pre-operative visit with the surgeon, in person, and any required post-op follow-ups after the suture removal to monitor your progress
- Additional surgical intervention if a complication arises
- Additional imaging or hospital care if a blood clot develops
During the 2 weeks before the surgery
You may be asked to stop taking medications that make it harder for your blood to clot. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), and other medications. Ask your health care provider which medicines you should still take on the day of your surgery.
On the day of surgery
- You will likely be asked not to eat or drink anything for 6 to 12 hours before the procedure.
- Take the medications your surgeon told you to take with a small sip of water.
- Your surgeon or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital. Be sure to be on time.
Rotator Cuff Repair (Arthroscopic) Surgery
During Rotator Cuff Repair Arthroscopy, 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.
Because the arthroscope and surgical instruments are thin, your surgeon can use very small incisions (cuts), rather than the larger incision needed for standard, open surgery. All Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repairs are usually an outpatient procedure and is the least invasive method to repair a torn rotator cuff.
What to expect after your surgery
In most cases, you will be able to return home on the day of the Rotator Cuff Repair (Arthroscopic) procedure. You will need a companion to drive you home, particularly if general anesthesia has been used.
Incision care
The portal incisions are so small that they are not always closed with sutures. This will depend on the preference of the surgeon. Dressings are usually light and are kept on for a couple of days. Dressings and wounds should be kept clean and dry. Often, some drainage occurs from the wounds during the first day. This drainage is from the fluid used during the surgery. It is usually light and stops within the first 24 hours.
Complications following arthroscopy are rare. Contact the doctor if:
- Drainage continues from the wound for more than 24 hours after surgery
- Redness or foul odor develops around the wounds
- Pain cannot be controlled by medication
- Your temperature rises above 101°F
- Prolonged nausea and vomiting may be a sign of an adverse reaction to pain medication.
Can I Travel to St George for Surgery?
Yes, and we’ll help you make all your arrangements.
- We have arrangements to try to obtain free flights through a non-profit volunteer pilot organization. We can do this with 10 days’ advance notice in most cases.
- We have discount codes for the Holiday Inn in town. This hotel is 1.5 miles from the surgery center and 2 miles from our clinic.
- We’ll arrange to send your after-surgery medications to your hometown pharmacy for pickup before you leave.
What if I would rather drive to St George?
No problem, we can help with those plans as well. When you have surgery with us, we’ll need to make sure you’re safe and comfortable after surgery. We’ll arrange cold compression therapy that requires an AC/DC adaptor/transformer and frequent stops to stretch and refill the ice reservoir on the road.
We’ll ask about the vehicle you’ll travel in to ensure you have a way to elevate and stretch out in the vehicle on the road while someone else does the driving.
How are follow-up and initial consultations handled?
In-person and telehealth consultations are possible with the surgeon to whom your case is assigned. The initial visit is included in the surgical package and is valued at $375.
We can also obtain the flights from the volunteer pilot nonprofit if you’d like to come for initial and follow-up visits in person. One follow-up visit is included in the surgical package at a value of $175. Any additional visits are charged at the time of service to your credit or debit card.
Transparent Pricing Guide
Find out the exact cost of your procedure in seconds, with no hidden fees, no surprises, and complete transparency every step of the way.