Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
Specialist Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment in London
Pain when lifting your arm? Weakness after a fall? Trouble getting comfortable at night?
These can all be signs of a rotator cuff tear.
Early assessment and treatment make a real difference.
At Your Shoulder, we provide expert rotator cuff tear treatment in London, with consultations at the Fortius Clinic in Fitzhardinge Street and surgery at the Fortius Surgical Centre on Bentinck Street and Fortius Clinic London on Wigmore Street.
What Is a Rotator Cuff Tear?
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that stabilise the shoulder joint and allow you to lift and rotate your arm. These structures keep the ball of the upper arm bone securely positioned within the shoulder socket. You can read more here about shoulder anatomy and what the rotator cuff is.
A rotator cuff tear occurs when one of these tendons becomes damaged or torn, either partially or completely. This may happen suddenly following an injury, or develop gradually over time due to wear and tear. Rotator cuff tears commonly cause shoulder pain, weakness and difficulty lifting the arm.
Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Tear
A rotator cuff tear can cause a range of symptoms that affect your strength, mobility and sleep.
You may notice:
- Shoulder pain when lifting or rotating your arm
- Weakness or heaviness in the shoulder or upper arm
- Pain when lying on the affected side at night
- Difficulty reaching overhead or behind your back
- Stiffness or reduced range of motion
- A clicking or catching sensation when moving your arm
If these symptoms sound familiar, book a consultation for an expert diagnosis and personalised treatment plan.
Diagnosis
A clinical consultation is the first step towards understanding your rotator cuff and the cause of your shoulder pain.
During your appointment, I’ll take a detailed history of your symptoms and perform a physical examination to assess movement, strength and tenderness.
If a rotator cuff tear is suspected, I may recommend an MRI or ultrasound scan to confirm the diagnosis and determine the size and extent of the tear.
You should seek help promptly if shoulder pain follows an injury, or if you’re losing strength or range of motion — early diagnosis leads to better recovery.
Treatment Options
Every rotator cuff tear is different, so treatment is tailored to your symptoms, activity level and recovery goals.
Non-surgical treatment
Most patients improve without surgery through a combination of:
- Specialist physiotherapy to restore strength and movement
- Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injections to ease inflammation and pain
- Gentle activity modification and targeted home exercises
These treatments can significantly reduce pain and restore function, especially for partial or degenerative tears.
Surgical treatment
Rotator cuff surgery may be recommended for full-thickness tears, traumatic injuries, or cases that haven’t improved with physiotherapy.
Procedures are typically performed arthroscopically (keyhole surgery) as a day case.
In some cases, a collagen Regeneten patch may be used to promote healing, or a reverse shoulder replacement considered if arthritis has developed.
Recovery
Most patients wear a sling for around four to six weeks, return to driving at about six weeks, and gradually resume sport or activity over three to six months.
Full recovery can take up to a year, depending on the size of the tear and your rehabilitation progress.
Book a consultation to discuss your tailored treatment plan.
Recovery Timeline After Rotator Cuff Treatment
Recovery following rotator cuff treatment depends on the size of the tear, the type of repair performed and your individual healing response. The process is structured and progressive.
0–2 Weeks
You will wear a sling to protect the repair. Pain and swelling gradually settle. Gentle passive movements may begin under guidance.
3–6 Weeks
The sling is usually continued. Physiotherapy focuses on controlled passive range of motion to protect tendon healing. Driving is often possible around six weeks, depending on comfort and control.
6–12 Weeks
Active shoulder movement gradually increases. Strengthening exercises are introduced in a phased manner.
3–6 Months
Strength and endurance improve steadily. Most patients return to normal daily activities and light recreational sport during this period.
6–12 Months
Continued strengthening and functional improvement. Full recovery, including return to higher-demand sport or manual work, may take up to a year.
Recovery is carefully guided by your surgeon and physiotherapy team to optimise tendon healing and long-term shoulder function.
Expected Outcomes After Rotator Cuff Repair
Rotator cuff repair aims to restore comfort, strength and stability to your shoulder.
Following treatment, most patients can expect:
- Significant reduction in shoulder pain
- Improved range of motion
- Better shoulder strength
- Return to daily activities such as dressing, driving and overhead movement
- Gradual return to sport or physically demanding work
- Improved long-term shoulder stability
Most patients experience significant pain relief within the first few months, with continued improvement in strength and function up to one year.
Why Choose Us
Choosing the right specialist for your rotator cuff tear is key to achieving a full recovery.
- Consultant-led care: I’m Ms Susan Alexander, a GMC-registered Consultant Orthopaedic Shoulder Surgeon, with extensive experience treating complex shoulder injuries in both athletes and everyday patients.
- Trusted London clinics: Consultations and surgery are available at the Fortius Clinic in Fitzhardinge Street, Fortius Surgical Centre on Bentinck Street, and Fortius Clinic London on Wigmore Street.
- Comprehensive treatment: From diagnosis and guided rehabilitation through to advanced keyhole surgery, every stage of your treatment is overseen by one specialist team.
Patient satisfaction:
“I underwent successful rotator cuff surgery with Ms Alexander in March 2024 at the Fortius Clinic and received outstanding care at every stage of my recovery.”
Book your consultation today and take the first step towards recovery with Dr Susan Alexander, one of London’s leading shoulder specialists.
Your Rotator Cuff Treatment Specialist
Ms Susan Alexander is a Consultant Orthopaedic Shoulder Surgeon with extensive experience diagnosing and treating rotator cuff tears. She specialises in arthroscopic (keyhole) rotator cuff repair and manages both traumatic and degenerative tears in active individuals, professionals and athletes.
Susan practises at leading private London hospitals and provides consultant-led care from first consultation through to rehabilitation and long-term recovery.
Professional Highlights
- GMC-registered Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
- Specialist shoulder surgeon
- Experienced in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair
- Fellowship-trained in shoulder surgery
- Extensive experience treating complex shoulder conditions
- Treats a high volume of shoulder patients each year
- President of the Independent Doctors Federation (IDrF)
Take the First Step Towards Recovery
Don’t let a rotator cuff tear limit your movement or quality of life.
Book your consultation today and start your recovery with specialist rotator cuff tear treatment in London.
Appointments are available in Marylebone, easily reached from anywhere in Central and West London.
Book your appointment now and begin your journey to a stronger, pain-free shoulder.
Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment FAQs
What are the symptoms of a rotator cuff tear?
Typical symptoms include shoulder pain when lifting your arm, reaching overhead, or lying on the affected side. You may also notice weakness, difficulty washing or brushing your hair, and disturbed sleep due to pain. Some people have tears without any symptoms at all, which is why a thorough clinical assessment and imaging such as MRI or ultrasound can be helpful.
What causes a rotator cuff tear?
For some people, it’s very obvious that a single event caused them a lot of shoulder and arm pain – for instance if they picked up a very heavy object, or a fall caused them to severely jar the shoulder.
When the rotator cuff is injured in this manner, we call it a traumatic tear.
Your experience might be different. It may be that your pain has gradually developed over time, perhaps from a sports injury, working in the garden or engaging in other physical activities. This slower brewing tear is known as a degenerative or chronic tear.
How is a rotator cuff tear treated?
Many people recover well without surgery. Physiotherapy is usually the first step and can help restore strength and movement. In some cases, an ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection may be offered to ease pain and make rehabilitation more comfortable. Treatment is always tailored to you — your symptoms, activity goals and overall health.
Will I need surgery for a rotator cuff tear?
Surgery is sometimes recommended for full-thickness or traumatic tears, or when pain and weakness persist despite physiotherapy. Repairs are typically done arthroscopically (keyhole surgery) as a day-case procedure. In more complex cases, additional techniques such as a collagen Regeneten patch or reverse shoulder replacement may be considered. Most patients return to driving and light activity within six weeks and feel significant improvement by six months.
