Rotator cuff tear · Shoulder surgery · Vienna
Night pain that stops you sleeping on your side, a weak arm when reaching overhead – a torn rotator cuff is exhausting, and unlike many shoulder problems it does not heal on its own. As an English-speaking shoulder specialist in Vienna, I repair it arthroscopically and advise you honestly on whether – and when – surgery is the right step.
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The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their tendons that centre the ball of the shoulder in its socket and let you lift and rotate the arm. The supraspinatus tendon on top is the one that tears most often – through wear over the years, or suddenly through a fall or a jerk on the arm.
Unlike a bruise or a strain, a full-thickness tendon tear does not knit back together on its own. Whether it needs repair depends on the size of the tear, your age and activity, and how much strength you have lost.
Pain lifting the arm to the side, especially between shoulder and head height
Night pain – lying on the affected shoulder becomes impossible
Loss of strength with overhead work; the arm feels "weak"
Confirmed with strength tests, ultrasound and MRI
Not every rotator cuff tear needs surgery – but a relevant tear should not be left too long. The decision depends on the tear and on you.
Small, partial or degenerative tears in older, less active patients often respond well to targeted physiotherapy and, if needed, an injection – rebuilding the strength of the surrounding muscles.
Full-thickness tears, traumatic tears in active patients and tears with real loss of strength should be repaired – ideally before the tendon retracts and the muscle degenerates.
The repair is done arthroscopically, through a few small incisions – gently and precisely.
The whole joint is inspected from the inside, the tear precisely assessed and any accompanying damage (biceps tendon, joint surface) addressed.
The torn tendon is brought back to its footprint on the bone and fixed with small suture anchors. Where useful, the space under the shoulder roof is widened to protect the repair.
A sling protects the repair for about 4–6 weeks while a physiotherapist guides passive movement – then strength is rebuilt step by step.
A tendon repair heals more slowly than soft-tissue surgery – patience protects the result.
Sling, guided passive movement, no active lifting. Office work is often possible after a few weeks with the arm protected.
Active strengthening builds up gradually. Full strength, overhead work and sport typically return after 4–6 months; physically demanding jobs later.
Surgery and hospital stay generally covered in full
Direct billing – no upfront payment
Surgery date usually within 1–2 weeks
Transparent cost estimate before the procedure
Surgery as a self-payer possible at any time
Practice visits: approx. 80% reimbursement of the statutory tariff
Typical signs are pain when lifting the arm to the side, night pain when lying on the affected shoulder, and a noticeable loss of strength, for example with overhead work. Important to know: a full-thickness tendon tear does not heal on its own. The diagnosis is made with specific strength tests, ultrasound and an MRI – the earlier a relevant tear is found, the better the results of a repair.
No. Small, partial or degenerative tears in older, less active patients can often be managed well with targeted physiotherapy and injections. Full-thickness tears, traumatic tears in active patients, and tears with significant loss of strength should be repaired – ideally before the tendon retracts and the muscle degenerates, because that makes a later repair harder or impossible.
The repair is performed arthroscopically (keyhole surgery): the torn tendon is reattached to the bone with small suture anchors. Where useful, the space under the shoulder roof is widened at the same time. Because it is minimally invasive, there is less pain and a better cosmetic result than with open surgery.
The repaired tendon needs protection: the arm is kept in a sling for about 4–6 weeks, during which passive movement is guided by a physiotherapist. Active strengthening follows gradually, and the return to full strength and sport typically takes 4–6 months. Office work is often possible again after a few weeks, physically demanding jobs considerably later.
A torn tendon retracts over time, and the muscle can convert to fat – once that has happened, a repair may no longer hold or may not be possible at all. That is why a relevant, symptomatic full-thickness tear should not be left too long. An early, honest assessment protects your options.
With supplementary (Sonderklasse) insurance the costs of the operation and hospital stay are generally covered in full, with direct billing and no upfront payment. Surgery dates at Vienna's private hospitals are usually available within 1–2 weeks. I am happy to provide a cost estimate in advance.
A second opinion gives you certainty. I will tell you honestly whether the tear really needs repair – and how urgent it is.
Tell me about your shoulder – I take the time for a thorough examination and an honest recommendation, in English, without pressure.
1040 Vienna: +43 1 585 62 60 · 1020 Vienna: +43 1 890 45 20
By prior appointment only · 1040 Vienna-Wieden (Große Neugasse 28/2) · 1020 Vienna-Leopoldstadt (Vorgartenstrasse 206c)