Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair to restore shoulder strength and movement, with a rehab plan built around your work or your sport.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nicolás Zarur · Updated October 2026
A rotator cuff tear can make it hard to lift your arm, reach overhead or sleep on your side. Many tears improve without surgery, and when surgery is needed, an arthroscopic repair can restore strength and get you back to work and sport.
Surgery time
Hospital stay
Arm in a sling
Return to sport
*Depends on the size of the tear and your sport. [Validate all figures with Dr. Zarur.]
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that wrap around the shoulder joint. They keep the ball of the arm centered in the socket and let you lift and rotate your arm.
Tears can happen suddenly, after a fall or lifting something heavy, or gradually, from repetitive overhead movements in sports like swimming, tennis, volleyball or baseball, and with age.
Not always. The decision depends on the size of the tear, how it happened, your age and your activity level.
Physical therapy, activity changes, medication and injections. Often effective for partial or degenerative tears.
The torn tendon is reattached to the bone with small anchors, through small incisions. Recommended for full-thickness or traumatic tears in active patients.
Sudden tears in active patients are best repaired early, before the tendon retracts and the muscle weakens.
The repair is done arthroscopically, with a small camera and instruments through several small incisions. The torn tendon is reattached to the bone using small anchors and sutures.
Other problems in the same shoulder, like bone spurs or biceps tendon damage, can be treated in the same surgery.
[Dr. Zarur to add his technique and experience in numbers.]
Tendons heal slowly, so following each phase protects the repair. This is a typical plan.
Surgery day
Arthroscopic repair. Most patients go home the same day with the arm in a sling.
Weeks 1–6
Sling most of the time. Gentle, passive movements guided by your physical therapist.
Weeks 6–12
Sling off. Active movement and recovery of full range of motion.
Months 3–4
Strengthening exercises. Most daily activities and office work are back to normal.
Months 4–6
Gradual return to sport and heavy work, depending on your progress.
A torn tendon doesn’t reattach to the bone on its own, but many patients, especially with partial or degenerative tears, regain good function and less pain with physical therapy.
In some tears, the tendon can retract and the muscle can lose strength over time, which makes a repair harder. That’s why traumatic tears should be evaluated early.
The first weeks are the most uncomfortable, especially at night. Pain is controlled with medication, ice and sleeping semi-upright.
Usually after the sling comes off, around 6 weeks. Office work can often resume earlier; physical work takes longer. [Validate with Dr. Zarur.]
Yes. Send us your MRI and reports and Dr. Zarur will review them, in person or remotely.
Yes. Dr. Zarur has treated professional athletes for more than three decades, and the rehab plan is adapted to the demands of your sport.
Book a visit in Tijuana or Mexico City, or send us your MRI for a remote review.
Get a clear diagnosis and honest options. We reply within one business day.
Trusted by Champions
Former President of the Mexican Football Federation’s Medical Commission and team physician for Cruz Azul, Morelia, Veracruz and Frontón México.
