By Mr Daniel Neen
09.10.24
Orthopaedic surgeon
Rotator cuff injuries: when surgery is the right solution
The rotator cuff is a collection of muscles and tendons in the shoulder that anchors the upper arm bone, called the humerus, to niches in the scapula, helping the shoulder joint move in a ball-and-socket configuration. The rotator cuff helps the shoulder and arm move fluidly and without pain, but they can get injured from overuse, accidents, or wear away with time. People whose work requires them to perform a lot of overhead motions, such as carpenters and gymnasts, are prone to rotator cuff damage. In this article, a leading orthopaedic surgeon discusses the many ways to treat an injured rotator cuff, and how to know if surgery is necessary.