Common symptoms
- Comprehensive shoulder & elbow evaluation
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- Conservative-first care plan tailored to your goals
- Coordinated specialty referrals when needed
- In-network insurance for most major carriers
Rotator cuff repair procedure
Rotator cuff repair restores the tendons that connect your shoulder muscles to the upper arm when a tear is keeping you from reaching, lifting, or sleeping comfortably. Our shoulder & elbow surgeons use arthroscopic, minimally invasive techniques whenever possible. Same-day discharge for most patients.
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Board-certified surgeons and podiatrists across eight Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
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Key takeaways
- Rotator cuff repair is considered when pain keeps limiting daily function.
- Candidacy is confirmed with exam findings and imaging.
- Most plans include pre-op education and post-op rehab milestones.
- You get a clear return-to-work and activity timeline.
About rotator cuff repair
Rotator cuff repair is part of the shoulder & elbow care we offer at LAOSS. Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, who benefits from this service, what it looks like at our clinics, and the recovery and risk considerations to weigh.
Our specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits, escalate only when it doesn't.
Watch: Rotator Cuff Repair (Arthroscopic)
This surgery repairs a tear of the rotator cuff in your shoulder. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons. It holds the head of the humerus in the shoulder socket.
Inside the shoulder & elbow.
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body. The elbow is a hinge that lets you reach, lift, and rotate.
What we offer with rotator cuff repair.
Common causes
- New patients exploring an orthopedic complaint
- Existing LAOSS patients continuing care
- Patients seeking a second opinion
- Athletes and active adults of every age
How we start treatment
When you book with LAOSS for rotator cuff repair, here's the flow:
- Initial visit: detailed history, focused exam, on-site X-ray when needed
- Diagnosis & plan: most patients leave with imaging-confirmed answers and a written treatment plan
- Treatment: whether that's PT, an injection, or surgery, your specialist stays involved at every step
- Follow-up: measured benchmarks, direct line to your care team, plan adjustments as recovery progresses
Shoulder & elbow care, conservative-first.
We start with the least-invasive option that fits, and escalate only when it doesn't.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Non-surgical options designed to relieve pain, restore movement, and avoid the OR when possible.
- Physical therapy to strengthen the rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles
- Activity changes that limit overhead reaching and heavy lifting
- Anti-inflammatory medication for short-term pain relief
- A corticosteroid injection for pain that disrupts sleep or therapy
- Follow-up exams and imaging to check that a tear is not getting larger
Surgical care
When neededSurgical options when needed
Minimally invasive and reconstructive procedures performed by board-certified orthopedic surgeons.
- Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: the torn tendon is reattached to the bone with suture anchors
- Mini-open repair for selected tears
- Removal of bone spurs and inflamed tissue (subacromial decompression) when needed
- Biceps tendon procedure (tenodesis or tenotomy) when that tendon is also damaged
- Reverse shoulder replacement for tears that cannot be repaired and have led to arthritis
Why experience matters.
Why experience matters
Shoulder & elbow care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you feel six months later.
- Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
- Conservative-first care that avoids unnecessary surgery
- Technique refined over thousands of cases
- On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider
The LAOSS approach
Our shoulder & elbow specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits, escalate only when it doesn't.
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- PT coordinated in your insurance network
- Board-certified specialists performing the procedures themselves
- Direct access to your specialist between visits
Am I a candidate?
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a shoulder & elbow specialist is the next step.
You may be a candidate if
These signs typically point toward this service being a good fit.
- A rotator cuff tear confirmed on MRI or ultrasound
- Shoulder pain or weakness that continues despite physical therapy and other non-surgical care
- Night pain or trouble lifting the arm that limits sleep, work, or daily tasks
- A sudden tear after a fall or injury, with new weakness
- A tear that is getting larger on follow-up imaging
What evaluation includes
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
- Detailed history: onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
- Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
- On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
- Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantSeek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, numbness, progressive weakness, or any sign of infection (fever, increasing redness or swelling).
Your shoulder & elbow recovery roadmap.
Recovery is rarely a straight line, but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
- Days 0 to 14
Right after care
In the first two weeks the focus is on protecting the repair in a sling, controlling pain and swelling, and keeping the elbow, wrist, and hand moving.
- Activity modification with clear do/don't guidance
- Ice and pain control as needed
- Sling worn as directed, including during sleep
- Follow-up scheduled to track healing
- Weeks 2 to 8
Rehabilitation
Physical therapy begins with gentle motion guided by your therapist while the tendon heals back to the bone. Strengthening waits until your surgeon clears it.
- Passive motion first, then gradual active motion as cleared
- Manual therapy and soft-tissue treatment
- No lifting, pushing, or pulling with the operated arm until cleared
- Coordinated PT through your in-network provider
- Months 2+
Long-term care
Strengthening builds gradually once the tendon has healed enough, and full recovery takes several months.
- Return-to-activity plan with measured benchmarks
- Home program tailored to your sport or job
- Maintenance visits or imaging if symptoms change
- Direct line back to your specialist if needed
Risks & considerations
What to weigh before you decide.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient. Informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
General considerations
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
- Infection (rare with modern technique and prophylaxis)
- Bleeding or bruising at the treatment site
- Reaction to anesthesia or medications
- Need for additional procedures in some cases
Shoulder and elbow considerations
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the shoulder & elbow. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
- Temporary stiffness or weakness during recovery
- Incomplete pain relief in a small percentage of cases
- Nerve or vessel irritation near the treatment area
- Need for follow-up therapy to fully restore function
Meet our shoulder & elbow specialists
At LAOSS, our shoulder & elbow specialists are board-certified and treat these problems every day. From minimally invasive techniques to coordinating your rehab, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. We have cared for Los Angeles patients since 2007, with one goal for each: less pain, better movement, and a return to the activities you love.
Specialists, not generalists.
Compare up to 34 providers
Accepting new patients
Daniel Acevedo, MD
Shoulder & Elbow Surgeon
Speaks English and Spanish
Habla español
- Encino
- Thousand Oaks
Reliable rotator cuff care starts here
With same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles-area offices, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. Whether you need physical therapy, injections, or surgery, we plan it with you and coordinate each step.
Call or schedule online today to see a shoulder & elbow specialist in Los Angeles.
From our Google reviews
Read all 9,626 reviews on GoogleWhat patients say
“…He made me feel comfortable about going through with surgery. He’s friendly and very detailed. He took the time to explain everything to me in simple terms. He was also very honest about my recovery after shoulder rotator cuff surgery. I’m still recovering and he’s still awesome.”
Keisha S.Google reviewGlendaleSep 2023
“Got a rotator cuff surgery done 2 weeks ago and they did an amazing job....awesome surgeon and staff A+”
Google reviewerGoogle reviewTarzanaJun 2023
Selected 5-star reviews from Google, shown as written. Individual results vary.
Common questions
You asked. We answered.
- It is usually considered when pain or functional limits persist after non-surgical treatment and imaging supports a procedural solution.
Don't wait on pain.
Ready to have your shoulder evaluated? Schedule your consultation today with our Los Angeles specialists.
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21 specialists · 8 offices
Greater Los Angeles
On-site X-raySame visit
Most insurers acceptedIn-network