What Happens To The Rotator Cuff After Reverse Shoulder Replacement?

People often ask what happens to the rotator cuff muscles after reverse shoulder replacement. The answer is nothing.

People often get reverse shoulders because they’re arthritic and maybe have a large rotator cuff tear that can’t be fixed. It just depends on the indications. But we don’t do anything to the rotator cuff muscles. Shifting your expectations about how a reverse implant operates is a major step in understanding your upcoming recovery timeline. For patients undergoing a same day shoulder surgery, the reverse shoulder, because of its unique biomechanics, allows the human shoulder to move smoothly without relying on a large portion of the rotator cuff.

There are still some cuff muscles in the back. If you have them, they function better.
But you don’t need any of the rotator cuff to lift your arm after a reverse. So we don’t do the reverse because the rotator cuff often cannot be repaired. It’s gone, or the muscles are irreparable now.

There’s a rotator cuff in the front. We got the subscap opened up and then closed to get the implant in but the rest of the rotator cuff, we leave them alone. We don’t mess with it.

Entrusting your joint to an expert Dallas Shoulder Surgeon ensures that these advanced, tissue-sparing techniques are executed flawlessly, allowing you to bypass unnecessary restrictions and safely regain your mobility.

Take the first step towards recovery. Consult with Dr. Kevin Kruse about reverse shoulder replacement.