What's New

We welcome Dr. Krcik to our practice. Dr. Krcik is returning home to the South Side. He is a graduate of Brother Rice High School and University of Illinois-Chicago. Dr. Krcik’s specialty is in Pediatric / Adult Sports Medicine. We are very pleased to welcome him to our practice and back to Chicago!

See Dr. Krcik’s bio for further information »

Our Specialties Include

• Total Hip and Knee Replacement
• Revision Total Joint Arthroplasty
• Anterior Approach Hip Replacement
• Knee Arthroscopy / ACL Reconstruction
• Partial Knee Replacement
• Hip Resurfacing
• Hip Arthroscopy
• Ankle Arthroscopy
• Shoulder Arthroscopy / Rotator Cuff Repair / SLAP Repair
• Sports Medicine (Sports-Related Injuries)
• Pediatric Sports Medicine / Adult Sports Medicine
• Minimally Invasive Surgery of the Knee and Hip
• General Orthopedics
• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Fracture Care

Shoulder: Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

What is the Rotator Cuff?

The rotator cuff is composed of four muscles, each of which has a tendon that attaches to the upper arm bone (the humerus):

• Supraspinatus
• Infraspinatus
• Teres Minor
• Subscapularis

These tendons form a cuff around the head of the upper arm bone (humerus). These tendons attach to the front and side of the humerus and the greater and lesser tubercles (part of the upper humerus). The muscles associated with these tendons are located in the upper back, where they are attached to the shoulder blade (scapula).

The largest component of the rotator cuff is the supraspinatus tendon, which is essential for lifting the arm. The infraspinatus and teres minor rotate the arm outward, while the subscapularis rotates the arm inward.

Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

Rotator cuff tendinitis occurs when the tendons are injured, usually as a result of repetitive overhead reaching, pushing, or lifting with outstretched arms. Athletes who perform overhead activity, such as swimming, tennis, throwing, golf, weightlifting, volleyball, and gymnastics, are also at risk. Tendinitis is usually treated with ice, anti inflammatory drugs, and physical therapy.

Rotator Cuff Tear

The rotator cuff tendon(s) may be torn as a result of injury, chronic tendinopathy, or a combination of both. Typically the injury is caused by a fall, direct blow, or a rapid use of force (pulling on a starter cable, for instance). Tears are uncommon in people under the age of 30; less than 1 percent of shoulder injuries in people under the age of 30 are complete rotator cuff tears, while up to 35 percent of people over age 45 with shoulder pain have a complete rotator cuff tear.

The goals of treatment for a torn rotator cuff are to recover lost strength, improve the function of the shoulder, and treat any underlying tendinitis. Conservative treatment is adequate in the vast majority of people, although younger people with a medium- to large-sized tear, particularly affecting the dominant arm, may be candidates for surgical repair. Surgery may also be recommended for older people who have significant pain related to a rotator cuff tear.

People with small- to medium-size tears usually improve with physical therapy exercises, stopping painful activities, and, in some cases, injection of a steroid. If shoulder strength and function do not improve after completing three to six months of physical therapy, surgical repair may be considered.