Rotator Cuff Surgery Cost and Procedure Information

Rotator cuff repair surgery is a minimally invasive (arthroscopic) procedure used to repair a torn tendon in the shoulder. Rotator cuff repair may also be performed as an open surgery for larger tears. Both procedures are performed under general anesthetic. The arthroscopic method uses several small incisions to allow insertion of small thin tubes with video cameras (laparoscopes) and surgical instruments attached to perform the surgery. Patients typically come home the same day as the surgery. Patients typically reach full recovery after three months.

National Rotator Cuff Surgery Procedure Pricing Summary

National Minimum Price $5,238 (Taos, NM)
National Average Price $8,512
National Maximum Price $14,405 (Taos, NM)

Rotator Cuff Surgery Cost Averages Around the Country

Price Range
Baltimore, MD Rotator Cuff Surgery Cost Average $5,100 - $14,000
Tampa, FL Rotator Cuff Surgery Cost Average $4,700 - $12,900
Boston, MA Rotator Cuff Surgery Cost Average $6,200 - $17,000
Detroit, MI Rotator Cuff Surgery Cost Average $5,000 - $13,600
San Francisco, CA Rotator Cuff Surgery Cost Average $6,700 - $18,400
Seattle, WA Rotator Cuff Surgery Cost Average $5,700 - $15,700
Minneapolis, MN Rotator Cuff Surgery Cost Average $5,200 - $14,100
San Diego, CA Rotator Cuff Surgery Cost Average $6,700 - $18,200
St. Louis, MO Rotator Cuff Surgery Cost Average $4,500 - $12,400
Denver, CO Rotator Cuff Surgery Cost Average $5,400 - $14,700
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Featured Facilities that Perform Rotator Cuff Surgery

Name Location Price Range
Silver Springs Surgery Center Cape Girardeau , MO $4,400 - $12,100
Madison Parish Hospital Tallulah , LA $9,700 - $26,700
Bearwood Ambulatory Surgery Center Anderson , SC $4,800 - $13,200
Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Clinic Winchester , TN $4,300 - $11,700
Northcentral Indana Orthopedics Logansport , IN $4,800 - $13,000
Gettysburg Ambulatory Surgical Center Gettysburg , PA $4,700 - $12,700
Blake Woods Medical Park Jackson , MI $5,000 - $13,600
Victoria Surgery Center Victoria , TX $4,400 - $12,100
Columbus Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Clinic Columbus , NE $4,900 - $13,400
Carolina Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Havelock , NC $4,800 - $13,100
Institute for Orthopedic and Nerve Surgery Mishawaka , IN $4,800 - $13,000
Muenster Memorial Hospital Muenster , TX $11,200 - $30,700
Valley View Surgical Center Lebanon , PA $4,700 - $12,700
Beach Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Clinic Fort Walton Beach , FL $4,700 - $12,900
Spectrum Orthopaedics North Canton , OH $4,800 - $13,200
Hartsville Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Hartsville , SC $4,800 - $13,200
Gem City Bone and Joint Laramie , WY $5,200 - $14,100
Sebastopol Ambulatory Surgery Center Sebastopol , CA $6,700 - $18,300
Cottage Orthopedics Plymouth , NH $5,800 - $15,900
East Metro Orthopaedics Conyers , GA $4,300 - $11,600
Surgicenter of Eastern Carolina Greenville , NC $4,800 - $13,100
Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Ithaca , NY $4,600 - $12,600
Hicks Orthopedic Clinic Eau Claire , WI $5,400 - $14,700
Foot Surgery Center of Northern Colorado Fort Collins , CO $5,400 - $14,700
Wichita Clinic Surgery Center Wichita , KS $4,400 - $12,100
Tracy Surgery Center Tracy , CA $6,700 - $18,300
Fruitland Orthopedic Clinic Fruitland , ID $4,400 - $12,000
Lakewalk Surgery Center Duluth , MN $5,000 - $13,800
Palouse Surgery Center Moscow , ID $4,400 - $12,000
Midwest Surgery Centers Terre Haute , IN $4,800 - $13,000

Rotator Cuff Surgery Information & Details

Rotator Cuff Surgery Cost and Procedure Introduction

The rotator cuff, a group of muscles and tendons that form a cuff over the shoulder, can tear due to injury, repetitive motion from sports, and degeneration from aging. Surgery is necessary when more conservative treatments — physical therapy, steroid injections and anti-inflammatory medications — have failed to produce relief. A tendon tear will not heal on its own or with medication. Surgeons use this procedure to repair torn tendons in the rotator cuff. Rotator cuff repair surgery is usually an arthroscopic procedure performed through small incisions, using an instrument called an arthroscope. The arthroscope (or “scope”) is a tube that contains a camera and other surgical instruments. The open procedure is sometimes used for larger or more complex tears. Patients are under general anesthesia during this procedure. These procedures are usually performed in an outpatient surgical facility by an orthopedic surgeon. Patients are usually able to come home the day of the surgery, typically one to two hours after the procedure. Most patients can resume normal activities after the surgery, though the timeline varies depending on the severity of the tear—light activity within a couple weeks and strenuous activity within three to six months.

Patient Preparation for Shoulder Repair Surgery

A physical examination will be performed along with blood or other diagnostic tests, such as X-rays and MRIs. Your doctor will suggest some strength-building exercises before the surgery. It is particularly important to inform the physician of all medications or vitamins taken regularly or if you are pregnant (or think you might be pregnant). Tell your doctor if you have heart, lung or other medical conditions that may need special attention and, finally, if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medications, aspirin or other medications that affect blood clotting. You will be given instructions in advance that will outline what you should and should not do in preparation for the surgery; be sure to read and follow those instructions. You will be asked to fast for eight hours before the procedure, generally after midnight. You will need to make arrangements for transportation after the surgery is complete. If you are given a prescription for pain medication, have it filled prior to surgery.

What to Expect During and After Shoulder Repair Surgery

The surgery takes about an hour, depending on the severity of the tear. Open rotator cuff surgery may take longer. The preparation and recovery time may take several hours. After arriving at the surgical center and being taken back to the preop room, a nurse will insert an intravenous line into your arm to administer a sedative and a painkiller. The procedure is done while you are under general anesthesia (unconscious and pain-free). Your heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and oxygen level will be monitored during the procedure. Rotator cuff repair surgery — open or arthroscopic — is performed by an orthopedic surgeon. After making the incision(s), the surgeon will locate the problem via a monitor attached to the camera in the scope or directly. The surgeon will then attach the torn tendon to the bone with metal suture anchors. When the repairs are finished, the incisions are closed — using stitches or steri-strips. Your shoulder will be wrapped in a soft bandage.

After surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room for observation. Once your blood pressure, pulse and breathing are stable and you are alert, you will be discharged to your home. Before being discharged, you will be given instructions about care for your incisions, limits on activities and what you should do to aid your recovery. If you notice any of the following, call the number the hospital gave you: Fever, excessive sweating, difficulty urinating, redness, bleeding or worsening pain. Your arm may be in a sling to immobilize the shoulder for up to four to six weeks, and you can return strenuous activities within three to six months.

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