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

Name Location Price Range
Blue Ridge Surgery Center Seneca , SC $4,800 - $13,200
Meritcare Same Day Surgery - Bemidji Bemidji , MN $5,000 - $13,800
Lrghealthcare Ambulatory Surgical Center Gilford , NH $5,800 - $15,900
Memorial Hospital of Carbondale Carbondale , IL $5,200 - $14,300
Mercy Walworth Hospital and Medical Center Lake Geneva , WI $10,600 - $29,100
Ukiah Surgery Center Ukiah , CA $6,700 - $18,300
Access Medical Center Mount Pleasant , WI $5,400 - $14,700
Sterling Regional Medcenter Sterling , CO $8,400 - $23,000
Surgicenter of Mansfield Mansfield , OH $4,800 - $13,200
Blowing Rock Hospital Blowing Rock , NC $10,900 - $30,000
Gulf South Surgery Center Gulfport , MS $4,300 - $11,700
Scotland Memorial Hospital Laurinburg , NC $4,100 - $11,200
Marion Healthcare Marion , IL $4,600 - $12,700
Louisville Orthopedic Surgery Center Louisville , KY $4,300 - $11,800
Statesville Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Statesville , NC $4,800 - $13,100
Ambulatory Surgery Center Hattiesburg , MS $4,300 - $11,700
Southeastern Orthopedic Center Statesboro , GA $4,300 - $11,600
Mid Ohio Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Columbus , OH $4,800 - $13,200
Mason City Ambulatory Surgery Center Mason City , IA $4,800 - $13,000
Arizona Bone and Joint Yuma , AZ $4,700 - $12,900
Portsmouth Surgery Center Portsmouth , OH $4,800 - $13,200
Grafton City Hospital, Inc Grafton , WV $10,300 - $28,400
Grants Pass Surgery Center Grants Pass , OR $5,500 - $15,000
Specialty Orthopedics Plymouth , IN $4,800 - $13,000
New River Surgical Arts Fallon , NV $5,200 - $14,100
Olympia Surgery Center Olympia , WA $5,700 - $15,600
Woodland Healthcare Surgicenter Michigan City , IN $4,800 - $13,000
Abilene Surgery Center Abilene , TX $4,400 - $12,100
Surgery Center of Fremont Fremont , NE $4,900 - $13,400
High Desert Surgery Center Kennewick , WA $5,700 - $15,600

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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