SHOULDER | RENTON & MAPLE VALLEY
Rotator Cuff Repair
Rotator cuff repair is surgery that reattaches a torn rotator cuff tendon to the upper arm bone, most often performed arthroscopically through small incisions. Dr. Matthew Lyons performs arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in Renton and Maple Valley, Washington.
The rotator cuff is a group of four tendons that wrap the ball of your shoulder and power nearly everything your arm does: lifting, reaching, throwing, even holding a coffee cup steady. When one of those tendons tears, the shoulder often announces it with night pain, weakness with overhead reach, and a dull ache that radiates down the arm. Tears do not heal back to bone on their own, but that does not automatically mean surgery. What it means is that your shoulder deserves an accurate diagnosis and an honest conversation about which path fits your tear, your age, and your goals.
Do All Rotator Cuff Tears Need Surgery?
No. Many partial tears and some full-thickness tears are managed successfully with physical therapy, activity modification, and time, particularly when pain is controlled and function is acceptable. Surgery moves up the list when a tear is full-thickness and symptomatic despite nonsurgical care, when weakness is significant, or when a tear follows a distinct injury in a younger or highly active patient, where earlier repair can help prevent the tear from enlarging and retracting over time.
How Arthroscopic Repair Works
Dr. Lyons performs rotator cuff repair arthroscopically: a small camera and instruments enter through incisions about the size of a buttonhole. The torn tendon is mobilized and anchored back to its footprint on the bone using suture anchors, restoring the connection so it can heal. Arthroscopy allows a complete inspection of the joint, treatment of companion problems like biceps tendon damage or bone spurs, and repair with minimal disruption to the surrounding muscle.
What Recovery Involves
Honesty matters here: rotator cuff repair recovery asks for patience. The repaired tendon needs protected time to heal to bone before it is loaded. Expect a sling in the early weeks, therapist-guided motion before strengthening, and a graduated return to full activity over several months. Most patients feel the trade is worthwhile for a shoulder that lets them sleep and work again, but the timeline is real, and Dr. Lyons will lay it out clearly before you decide anything.
When a Tear Cannot Be Repaired
Some large, long-standing tears retract and lose tissue quality to the point where direct repair is no longer reliable. That does not mean nothing can be done. Depending on your shoulder, options include tendon transfer procedures and reverse total shoulder replacement. These complex cuff problems are a specific focus of Dr. Lyons’ practice; see the irreparable rotator cuff tear page for how those decisions are made.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is arthroscopic rotator cuff repair?
It is a minimally invasive surgery in which a camera and small instruments are used to reattach a torn rotator cuff tendon to the bone with suture anchors, through incisions typically under a centimeter long.
Can a rotator cuff tear heal on its own?
A torn tendon does not reattach itself to bone. However, many tears become comfortable and functional with therapy and activity changes, which is why not every tear needs an operation.
How long is recovery after rotator cuff surgery?
Plan on a sling for the early weeks, several months of progressive therapy, and a return to demanding activity after that as healing allows. Timelines vary with tear size, tissue quality, and your goals.
What happens if a torn rotator cuff goes untreated?
Some tears remain stable and manageable. Others enlarge and retract over time, which can make later repair harder and, in some cases, lead to cuff tear arthropathy. Periodic reevaluation helps catch a changing tear.
If your shoulder is waking you at night or losing strength, get it looked at. Request an appointment with Dr. Lyons in Renton or Maple Valley.
Take the Next Step
Request an appointment at the Renton or Maple Valley office.