If you are one of the 4 million people in the United States who suffer from painful rotation of the shoulder, Pottstown Memorial Medical Center (PMMC) has good news for you. The majority of rotator cuff injuries are repairable through two surgical procedures, allowing recovery of function as well as excellent pain relief.
    Recent advancements in arthroscopic techniques have led to the development of totally
arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery. The entire procedure is performed through several small incisions utilizing newly developed instruments and a camera. The benefits of this minimally invasive surgery include a decrease in postoperative pain, earlier mobilization of the joint and less stiffness. Patients undergoing this surgery are able to return home the day of the operation. Physical therapy and rehabilitation are performed on an outpatient basis, so patients are able to recover in the comfort of their home.
    So what do patients say about this surgery? Joan Knoeller of Pottstown had her arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery performed at PMMC by Alan Cooper, MD, a Sports Medicine Fellowship-trained  orthopedic surgeon. Prior to surgery, Joan would often wake up at night with shoulder pain. Normal daily activities were more difficult, as she was unable to lift moderately heavy items. Since her surgery, Joan has had a great recovery. "My shoulder feels just like brand new." says Joan. "The rehabilitation was shorter than anticipated, and I was able to do much of my therapy at home."
    Dr. Cooper is also performing a new surgery for irreparable rotator cuff tears at PMMC. The Reverse Shoulder Prosthesis (RSP) offers an alternative option for patients suffering from end-stage rotator-cuff arthropathy (arthritis with massive rotator cuff tear) who have severely limited active movement. It can also be utilized to repair shoulder fractures in the elderly in which the bone has broken in several places.    
    With the RSP, the anatomy, or structure, of the healthy shoulder is reversed. In the healthy shoulder, the upper arm bone (humerus) ends in a ball shape. This fits into a socket formed by the shoulder blade (scapula). Together this ball and socket form the shoulder. The implant is designed so that the ball portion is attached to the scapula and the socket is placed at the upper end of the humerus. Patients have experienced very encouraging results from this new procedure. "They are able to live pain-free with very functional shoulder motion from what was once a debilitating injury," says Dr. Cooper.