Rotator Cuff Surgery Outcomes
Proven results from rotator cuff repair procedures performed by Dr. Gobezie, with measurable improvements in pain relief and shoulder function
Surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff often involves re-attaching the tendon to the head of the humerus. A partial tear, however, may only need a trimming or smoothing procedure called a debridement. A complete tear is repaired by stitching the tendon back to its original site on the humerus.
Advancements in surgical techniques for rotator cuff repair include less invasive procedures. While each of the methods available has its own advantages and disadvantages, all have the same goal: getting the tendon to heal. The type of repair performed depends on several factors, including the size of your tear, your anatomy, and the quality of the tendon tissue and bone. The surgical repair can be done on an outpatient basis and does not require you to stay overnight in the hospital.
Understanding Rotator Cuff Repair
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint and enable arm rotation. When these tendons tear—either from injury or gradual degeneration—patients experience pain, weakness, and limited range of motion. Rotator cuff repair surgery addresses these issues by reattaching the torn tendon to the bone.
Dr. Gobezie utilizes arthroscopic techniques whenever possible, which offer smaller incisions, less tissue disruption, and faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery. During the procedure, small anchors are placed in the bone, and sutures are passed through the tendon and secured to these anchors, allowing the tendon to heal back to its original attachment site.
Conditions Treated with Rotator Cuff Repair
- Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears
- Full-thickness rotator cuff tears
- Acute traumatic rotator cuff injuries
- Chronic degenerative rotator cuff tears
- Failed conservative treatment for rotator cuff pathology
For detailed information about the surgical technique and post-operative care, download our surgical details handbook (PDF).
Evidence-Based Outcome Tracking
Dr. Gobezie is passionate about closely following his patients' outcomes after surgery. Not all surgeons take the time to do this. Before surgery, we ask all our patients to complete a standardized questionnaire about their shoulder. We continue to follow each patient's improvement at certain time points after surgery. Pairing these standardized surveys with follow-up visits gives our practice a concrete way to measure our patients' outcomes.
We use three primary outcome measures to assess patient progress:
- Pain Scale (0-10): Patients rate their pain intensity from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain)
- SANE Score: Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation—patients rate their shoulder as a percentage of normal (0% to 100%)
- ASES Score: American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons standardized score measuring pain and functional limitations on a 100-point scale
Published studies have indicated that the more times a surgeon performs a surgery, the better the patient outcomes. Additionally, high volume surgeons are able to provide value-based care, that is better outcomes over cost. Dr. Gobezie is not only a top performing surgeon in Ohio but also one of the most experienced and efficient in the country. Each year, he performs more than 350 shoulder replacements and more than 400 arthroscopic shoulder procedures.
Our Rotator Cuff Repair Results
The data we have studied from patients we have treated at the Cleveland Shoulder Institute shows above-average patient-reported outcomes in regards to pain and function. On average, rotator cuff repair patients rate their shoulder at about 37% of normal prior to surgery and at two years they rate their shoulder at about 79% of normal. In terms of pain, patients average 5 out of 10 pain prior to surgery and report pain of 1 after surgery. Similarly, the ASES pain and function score improve from 44 to 85.
(out of 10)
(% of Normal)
(out of 100)
Pain Level Over Time
Pain scores indicate the patients' level of pain from pre-surgery through two years after surgery. All graphs show marked improvement in pain and function in the first 3 months after surgery. These outcomes continue to improve through one and two-year post-surgery milestones.
SANE Score (Shoulder Function)
The SANE score represents how patients rate their shoulder as a percentage of normal, from 0% to 100% with 100% being completely normal function. Our rotator cuff repair patients improve from an average of 37% to 79% of normal function.
ASES Score (Pain & Function)
The ASES score is a standard shoulder assessment that measures pain and functional limitations of daily activities on a 100-point scale. A maximum ASES score of 100 indicates minimal shoulder pain and maximal shoulder function. Our rotator cuff repair patients improve from an average of 44 to 85.
What These Results Mean for You
The outcome data from our practice demonstrates above-average patient-reported results in both pain relief and functional improvement. Patients who undergo rotator cuff repair at the Cleveland Shoulder Institute can expect:
- Significant pain reduction within the first three months
- Continued improvement through one and two years post-surgery
- Return to daily activities and sports with restored strength
- High patient satisfaction rates
Dr. Gobezie's high surgical volume translates to refined technique, fewer complications, and better value-based care—meaning better outcomes at competitive cost. His experience with rotator cuff pathology spans thousands of cases, giving patients confidence in their surgical decision.
Experiencing Rotator Cuff Pain?
If you're dealing with rotator cuff pain that hasn't responded to conservative treatment, schedule a consultation with Dr. Gobezie to discuss whether rotator cuff repair surgery is right for you.
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