shoulder rotator cuff and biceps tendons

[Loupy45]

I have been advised to have an operation (arthroscopic) to the tendons of my rigth shoulder. The procedure is to repair the rotator cuff tendon and the biceps tendon. This could be due to an old injury as I was analyzed some years back with a frozen shoulder.
Recently the pain and disconfort on my rigth shoulder  was accelerated by exercising at the gym.
I have now rested for 6months and the pain has gone away but I have lost some power in my right shoulder.
I am 66 years old, active and healthy  I  don't take any medications.

My questions are:
1. can an operation been avoided?
2. would my present condition worsen?
3. Are these procedure succesfull?
4. Do tendons repair themselves if kept in a sling, or avoid doing certain      motions?
5. Will the tendons tear again?

Thanks    

[Loupy45]

Thank you very much for your answer, I now am equiped to make my decision.

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

1. I would not be able to answer the question without the relevant clinical details. This is best answered by your treating doctor.
2. A surgery is unlikely to worsen the condition. Without the surgery, the injuries as such may not worsen, however the associated inflammation/ degeneration might.
3. Yes, the repair is fairly successful.
4. The tendons are unlikely to repair themselves.
5. The tendons may tear again if a re-injury occurs (with or without surgery)
Hope this information helps.

Take care!