Shoulder treatment
Rotator cuff surgery
Rotator cuff repair reattaches the torn tendon to the bone so it can heal, and is commonly performed arthroscopically. It is one possible path, not an automatic one — not every tear requires surgery, and not every tear is repairable. This page explains what the procedure is, related procedures, how recovery is generally approached, and the risks.
General orthopedic education — not medical advice. Decisions about your care should be made with a qualified clinician.
What rotator cuff repair does
Rotator cuff repair reattaches the torn tendon to the bone so it can heal. The procedure is commonly performed arthroscopically. Not every tear requires surgery, and not every tear is repairable.
Debridement and concurrent procedures
Depending on what is found, surgery may also include removing damaged tissue, treating inflamed tissue or bone, or addressing the biceps tendon. These procedures are individualized and do not replace the central decision about whether the rotator cuff itself should be repaired.
Healing and rehabilitation
The repaired tendon needs time to heal, and rehabilitation is staged.
The repaired tendon requires time to heal to the bone. Rehabilitation progresses from protection and controlled motion to strengthening and eventual return to activity. Larger or more complex repairs generally require more protection, and the surgeon's specific protocol takes precedence.
Which rehabilitation protocol applies
There are two rotator cuff repair rehabilitation protocols — one for small and medium repairs and one for massive repairs — because early protection differs between them. Your surgical team determines the tear classification and selects the protocol that applies to you; use only the protocol you are given.
When biceps tenodesis or subacromial decompression is performed with rotator cuff repair, rehabilitation follows the applicable rotator cuff repair protocol unless the surgeon provides different restrictions. For a revision repair, the surgeon selects the protocol based on the individual revision.
Risks and limitations
Risks include infection, stiffness, persistent pain or weakness, complications related to surgery, and failure of the tendon to heal or a recurrent tear. No operation guarantees complete pain relief, full strength, or return to a particular activity.
Common questions
Rotator cuff surgery FAQs
- Does every rotator cuff tear need surgery?
No. Not every tear requires surgery, and not every tear is repairable. Many rotator cuff tears can initially be treated without surgery; surgery is one possible path, considered in some situations. Whether it fits your situation is decided with your surgeon — the condition page explains how that decision is approached.
- How is recovery structured after rotator cuff surgery?
The repaired tendon requires time to heal to the bone, so rehabilitation progresses from protection and controlled motion to strengthening and eventual return to activity. Larger or more complex repairs generally require more protection, and your surgeon's specific protocol takes precedence.
- Which rehabilitation protocol should I use?
There are separate protocols for small/medium and massive repairs because early protection differs. Your surgical team determines the classification and selects the protocol for you — use only the one you are given. When biceps tenodesis or subacromial decompression is performed with the repair, rehabilitation follows the applicable cuff repair protocol unless your surgeon provides different restrictions.
Related condition & rehabilitation
This procedure treats a specific injury and is followed by a structured rehabilitation program.
- Rotator cuff tearsUnderstand the injury itself, how it's evaluated, and whether surgery is needed.
- Rotator cuff repair rehabilitation protocol (small/medium)For PRIMARY small and medium rotator cuff repairs. Downloadable PDF.Small/medium repair
- Rotator cuff repair rehabilitation protocol (massive)For PRIMARY massive rotator cuff repairs — early protection differs. Downloadable PDF.Massive repair
Related educational videos
Short, general animations in the resource library. They illustrate one approach and are not a promise of the technique or product used in your care.
Next step
Considering shoulder surgery, or just weighing your options?
If you'd like to talk through whether rotator cuff surgery fits your situation — or understand the alternatives — you can request an appointment. This website is not monitored for emergencies — for a medical emergency, call 911.