Alternative to Rotator Cuff Surgery Leads to Faster Healing

Debra Turoff knew enough about rotator cuff surgery to know she didn’t want it. It wasn’t the surgery itself that scared her - it was the lengthy recovery.

She didn’t want to be immobilized for 4 – 6 weeks and wait for months to feel results. Instead, Debra opted for physical therapy, conveniently performed by her daughter Lauren Turoff, a physical therapist at University Hospitals. Debra hoped it would miraculously allow her to return to her favorite activities.

It didn’t. But she walked away with something better.

“My daughter suggested I try a new procedure,” says Debra, 64. “I’d never heard of it and spoke with several doctors who hadn’t either.” Then, Debra met Dr. Benjamin Boswell, a sports medicine specialist at University Hospitals, who told her about percutaneous tenotomy using the Tenex device.

What Is Percutaneous Tenotomy?

“Unlike open rotator cuff surgery in which the torn tendons are re-attached to the bone with small suture anchors, this arthroscopic procedure is performed using a minimally invasive technique with ultrasound guidance,” says Dr. Boswell. “Patients don’t choose percutaneous tenotomy because most don’t know about it.”

Using local anesthetic, a tiny 1 – 2 mm incision is made, and the Tenex device is guided into the region of the calcification. The device then breaks apart the calcification and removes the tissue with minimal damage to the rotator cuff muscle or tendon. Candidates for the procedure are those with significant and/or activity-limiting pain due to rotator cuff tendon calcification.

A Quality of Life Decision

Debra could no longer participate in her favorite activities like gardening, knitting, traveling and exercising with weights. The part-time special education teacher says her quality of life was diminishing. “Even getting items off a shelf and carrying things was difficult. I volunteer making flower arrangements for nursing homes and hospitals and could no longer do any of that,” she says. “I had to do something.”

After three failed cortisone shots, Debra decided the new Tenex procedure was her best option. And she was stunned to find that it was even easier than the shots.

“You are awake, but the area is numbed,” says Debra. “It was ultrasound-assisted so I could see the zapping away of the calcium. It was pretty impressive. I walked out of there and I could feel the difference right way. It was amazing.”

Recovery Is Measured in Weeks Not Months

Instead of the typical six months required for recovery after rotator cuff surgery, for Debra, it was “just a matter of ice that night, one Advil and that was it,” she marvels. “I was immobilized by a sling for a week or two, physical therapy two weeks later and, after just one month, I was doing so much better.”

“This procedure changed my life,” says Debra. “And of course my physical therapist was wonderful,” she adds, referring to her daughter. We’re expecting our first grandchild this summer and I’m ready!”