Physiotherapy and medicines
Strengthening the remaining cuff and shoulder-blade muscles, with short courses of medicine. Works well for many partial tears and wear-related tears in older patients.
Arthroscopy & Sports Injury
Rotator Cuff Repair in LucknowDr Hatif Siddiqui
The rotator cuff is a group of four tendons that hold the ball of the shoulder in its socket and help you lift and turn your arm. A tear can come from a fall or a heavy lift, or from gradual wear after the age of 40.
Many rotator cuff problems improve without surgery. Tears that cause lasting weakness, or sudden tears from an injury in active people, often do better with arthroscopic repair.
Arthroscopy & Sports Injury Care
Advanced orthopaedic care in Lucknow
- Typical symptoms
- Night pain, weakness lifting the arm
- Key tests
- Examination, ultrasound or MRI
- Surgery type
- Arthroscopic repair with anchors
- Full recovery
- Usually 6–12 months
Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Tear
- Shoulder pain at night, especially lying on that side
- Pain lifting the arm overhead or reaching behind
- Weakness when raising or turning the arm
- A crackling feeling with shoulder movement
- Sudden weakness after a fall or heavy lift
Not Every Painful Shoulder Is a Torn Cuff
Night pain and pain lifting the arm are also caused by impingement, tendinitis, frozen shoulder, arthritis and even neck problems. An accurate diagnosis matters because the treatments are very different.
Examination tests the strength of each tendon. An ultrasound or MRI shows whether there is a tear, how big it is, and whether the muscle is still healthy enough to repair.
Treatment Options
The choice depends on the size and type of tear, how it happened, your age, activity level and how much weakness you have.
Injection
A carefully placed injection can calm inflammation so that physiotherapy becomes possible. It is used selectively, not repeatedly.
Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair
The torn tendon is stitched back to the bone with small anchors through keyhole cuts. Recommended for tears from an injury in active people, and for tears causing lasting weakness despite physiotherapy.
Recovery After Rotator Cuff Repair
The tendon needs time to heal back to the bone, so recovery is gradual. Following the physiotherapy plan closely is the most important part.
| 0–6 weeks | Arm in a sling. The physiotherapist moves the shoulder gently while the repair heals. |
|---|---|
| 6–12 weeks | Sling off. Active movement is restored step by step. |
| 3–6 months | Strengthening. Most daily activities are comfortable. |
| 6–12 months | Full strength returns. Heavy lifting and overhead sport are resumed gradually. |
Typical ranges; larger tears take longer.
Why Choose Dr Hatif Siddiqui
- Fellowship in Sports Trauma, London (UK)
- Life member of the Indian Arthroscopy Society, and member of ISKSAA (arthroscopy and arthroplasty)
- Keyhole (arthroscopic) surgery of the knee and shoulder at Medanta Lucknow
- Non-surgical treatment first whenever it can work, with a structured return-to-sport plan when surgery is needed
Consultation Locations
Medanta Lucknow
OPD - B Wing, 2nd Floor, Medanta, Sector A, Pocket 1, Amar Shaheed Path, Golf City, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226002
Indira Nagar Clinic
1D, near Khan Dairy Road, Block A, Indira Nagar, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226016
Watch Dr Hatif Siddiqui Explain
Short videos from Dr Hatif Siddiqui’s YouTube channel.
रोटेटर कफ टियर का इलाज लखनऊ में
रोटेटर कफ कंधे की चार नसों (टेंडन) का समूह है। रात में कंधे का दर्द और हाथ उठाने में कमज़ोरी इसके आम लक्षण हैं। हर कंधे के दर्द का मतलब टियर नहीं होता; कई मरीज़ फ़िज़ियोथेरेपी से ठीक हो जाते हैं। ज़रूरत पड़ने पर दूरबीन से टेंडन को हड्डी से दोबारा जोड़ा जाता है।
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a rotator cuff tear heal on its own?
A torn tendon rarely heals back to the bone by itself, but many people, especially with partial or wear-related tears, become comfortable and strong with physiotherapy. Surgery is advised when weakness persists or the tear followed an injury in an active person.
Does shoulder pain at night always mean a rotator cuff tear?
No. Night pain is also common with impingement, tendinitis and frozen shoulder. An examination and, where needed, an ultrasound or MRI confirm the cause.
How long is recovery after rotator cuff surgery?
The arm is in a sling for about 4–6 weeks, followed by months of physiotherapy. Most daily activities are comfortable by 3–6 months, and full strength can take 6–12 months.
Is it urgent to repair a torn rotator cuff?
A sudden tear from an injury in an active person is best assessed early, because tendons can pull back and the muscle can weaken over time, making repair harder. Wear-related tears are usually less urgent.
Is rotator cuff repair done by keyhole surgery?
Yes, most repairs are done arthroscopically through small cuts, using anchors placed in the bone to hold the stitched tendon.
Related Treatments
Book a Consultation with Dr Hatif Siddiqui
Medanta Lucknow and the Indira Nagar clinic. Bring your X-ray, MRI or CT scan and any previous operation notes.