Rotator cuff injury

Your Mayo Clinic care team

At Mayo Clinic, orthopedic surgeons work with radiologists, physical therapists and other specialists to evaluate and treat rotator cuff injuries. This means that you're not getting just one opinion — you benefit from the knowledge and experience of each specialist on the multidisciplinary team.

Close collaboration enables the team to have your test results available quickly and to coordinate scheduling your appointments. Evaluation and treatment that might take months elsewhere can typically be done in only a matter of days at Mayo Clinic.

Advanced diagnosis and treatment

Sometimes, a rotator cuff injury is so severe that the tendon can't be repaired. Mayo Clinic surgeons have helped develop unique tendon transfer techniques that broaden the selection of tendons used to restore shoulder function.

Mayo Clinic surgeons have also been involved in the design of reverse shoulder replacement procedures, which have been extremely useful for patients with severe rotator cuff problems.

For massive irreparable rotator cuff injuries, surgeons can implant a small biodegradable balloon that works as a spacer to reduce friction between the bones and muscles of the shoulder. This helps restore shoulder function and reduce pain.

Research and innovation

Surgeons and scientists collaborate to develop new solutions that improve rotator cuff healing, speed rehabilitation and improve the outcomes for people experiencing rotator cuff problems. At Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center, specific rehabilitation protocols can improve rotator cuff function to prevent injury in high-level athletes or facilitate a return to high-demand activities for the weekend warrior.