Rotator Cuff Repair

What is a Rotator Cuff?

The rotator cuff is a collection of four muscles and accompanying tendons that take part in stabilizing the shoulder joint and allowing a wide range of motion for the arm. These muscles are the supraspinatus (most commonly injured), infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. The rotator cuff helps to lift and rotate the arm and plays a critical role in the functioning of overhead activities. The rotator cuff is often injured, as a result of overuse, trauma, or with the process of aging.

How Does the Rotator Cuff Work?

The rotator cuff functions by supporting the shoulder joint and enabling a variety of arm motions. Among its principal functions are:

• Stabilization: The rotator cuff helps stabilize the shoulder joint by holding and keeping the humerus, or upper arm bone, in place.
• Movement facilitation: The four muscles of the rotator cuff work together with other muscles helping to enable a great range of motion for the arm, such as lifting, rotating, and reaching for items.
• Initiation of movement: The supraspinatus, one of the four rotator cuff muscles, and its tendon play a particularly important role in initiating abduction or raising the arm out to the side of the body.
• Dynamic stability: Dynamic stability of the shoulder joint is achieved by the rotator cuff muscles contracting to help hold the humerus in place while the shoulder joint is in motion, allowing for smooth and controlled shoulder joint motion that maintains the joint in its proper position to prevent dislocation and injury. 
• Balance of the forces: The function of the rotator cuff is to balance all of the forces acting upon the shoulder joint and preventing excessive wear and tear on the joint tissues and surfaces.