Surgeons at a Houston hospital are using a graft technique to strengthen muscles repaired after a rotator cuff injury.  This is believed to be a much more effective and more permanent way to repair a damaged rotator cuff.

According to the surgeons at St. Luke’s, the technique involves using a piece of graft to strengthen the repaired rotator cuff muscle.  These muscles are located in the shoulder, and many maritime workers are prone to rotator cuff injuries.  Many of these injuries occur as a result of repetitive stress that places a strain on the muscles of the shoulder.  Maritime workers may suffer from tendinitis, bursitis, inflammation, muscle tears, and other injuries that can impact their ability to return to work after the injury.

The surgeons have compared success results from techniques using the graft and without a graft, and have found that patients with a rotator cuff injury treated with the technique using the graft, had an 85% healing rate, compared to a 45% healing rate in persons who did not receive the graft.

This technique is especially useful for people who have suffered larger muscle tears.  Over a period of time, doctors believe that the repaired muscle will be less likely to be damaged again.  Additionally, the technique has also been found to eliminate some of the common side effects after surgery, like arthritis or stiffness.

If you are a maritime worker who has suffered a shoulder injury or a rotator cuff injury, consult an experienced and skilled maritime lawyer at Vujasinovic and Beckcom.  All initial consultations are free.