News Room  Press Releases
March 2006 (Second Release)
Contact: Melissa Chefec, MCPR Public Relations, 203-968-6625
For Immediate Release
Shoulder Hurts? Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Restores Active Lifestyles
Dr. Kevin Plancher discusses new, minimally invasive technique for faster, fuller recovery
NY, NY and Greenwich, CT, March 2006 – A network of muscles and tendons that hold together the
shoulder and arm bones, the rotator cuff facilitates the flexibility of the shoulder, which is needed for
"overhead" activities like tennis and golf, swimming and throwing a ball. In fact, even everyday functions
like writing a letter or carrying groceries can prove next to impossible with a severe rotator cuff injury. Until
recently, a diagnosis of a rotator cuff injury requiring surgical repair meant an invasive procedure followed
by weeks, if not months, of recovery and rehabilitation, along with the risks of damage to surrounding
muscles and tissue in the shoulder and arm. But new arthroscopic surgical techniques offer patients a
less invasive alternative and the potential of a faster, fuller recovery.
"Rotator cuff injuries are very common, particularly among fit, active ‘Baby Boomers,’" notes Kevin
Plancher, M.D., a leading NY-area orthopaedist and founder of the Orthopedic Foundation for Active
Lifestyles (www.ofals.org) – a non-profit organization dedicated to advancements in research and
education for orthopedics and sports medicine. In fact, according to the American Academy of
Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), approximately 4 million Americans visited a physician for a rotator cuff or
shoulder problem in 2003. "For the 40,000 or so patients whose rotator cuff injuries are serious enough to
require surgery each year, the advances in arthoscopic techniques make both the procedure and the
recovery far less daunting," adds Dr. Plancher.
Traditional approaches to rotator cuff surgery included "open" repair, in which a large incision would
expose the entire rotator cuff during surgery, and "mini-open" repair. "With mini-open repair, arthroscopes
would be used to guide the surgical team during the procedure, but the surgery itself would be done
manually. However, the fully-arthroscopic knotless rotator cuff repair allows for the entire procedure to be
done with precision through buttonhole-sized incisions," Dr. Plancher explains. "The fully arthroscopic
technique presents less risk of injury to surrounding muscle and tissue, promotes faster healing and
rehabilitation, and is as effective as mini-open repair at relieving pain and restoring range of motion," adds
Dr. Plancher.
In fact, two studies reported in the December, 2005 edition of the journal Arthroscopy confirm that those
who undergo fully-arthroscopic rotator cuff repair report similarly positive results for both pain relief and
restoration of motion in the joint as do those patients who undergo open or mini-open repairs. However,
Dr. Plancher – a sports medicine expert, and official orthopedic surgeon of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard
teams – recommends the fully-arthroscopic approach in particular for fit "Baby Boomer" patients whose
goal it is to return to an active lifestyle.
"The fully-arthroscopic repair involves less trauma to the rotator cuff and the surrounding tissues than do
the open or mini-open approaches, and so recovery is often faster and fuller, which is important for
patients whose goal is a return to the golf course, the tennis courts or even the swimming pool," Dr.
Plancher notes.
"It’s important to remember that, as we age, the muscles and tendons lose a bit of their flexibility and
ability to heal themselves quickly, which is a factor in both how we recover from injuries and how we end
up getting injured in the first place," Dr. Plancher adds. He encourages his patients who enjoy "overhead"
sports to take several precautions in order to prevent injuries, as well as to limit the damage an injury may
cause:
- Practice warm-ups and stretches before and after play. Warm up with aerobic exercises such as
jumping rope or brisk walking, and then stretch warmed muscles before beginning play. "Research
confirms that cold, stiff muscles are more prone to injury than warm, flexible ones," Dr. Plancher
notes.
- Don’t play with pain. Although most rotator cuff injuries are simply small tears that will heal with rest,
some do require surgery and will worsen without it. "Recurrent or chronic pain is a sign that an
orthopedic surgeon should evaluate," Dr. Plancher confirms.
- Strengthen the cuff. Overhead sports enthusiasts should contact their sports medicine physician or
orthopedist for specific exercises that can build strength in the muscles of the rotator cuff. "These are
targeted exercises not typically done at a gym or in a home strengthening routine," Dr. Plancher says,
"but they can help prevent serious rotator cuff injuries."
"Most importantly, if you suspect an injury to the rotator cuff, see an orthopedic specialist for evaluation
immediately," Dr. Plancher urges. "If surgery is required, patients should discuss the benefits of a fullyarthroscopic
approach with their surgeon." Because fully-arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is a relatively new
approach, many surgeons may choose an alternative technique, Dr. Plancher adds. Visit www.aaos.org to
find a surgeon specializing in the technique, or contact Dr. Plancher at www.plancherortho.com.
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