Rotator Cuff Surgery in san antonio
Minimally invasive arthroscopic rotator cuff repair from board-certified shoulder specialists with over 100 years of collective experience, helping you get back to the life you love.
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100+
Years Collective Experience
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4
Board-Certified Surgeons
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1-3 hrs
Typical Surgery Duration
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Outpatient
Go Home The Same Day
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint and control arm movement. When one or more tendons tears, shoulder pain, weakness, and limited range of motion often follow.
Tears range from partial (the tendon is damaged but still attached) to full-thickness (completely separated from the bone) to massive tears involving multiple tendons.
Understanding your injury
What Is the Rotator Cuff?
Common Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Tear
Many patients initially experience mild shoulder discomfort that gradually worsens over time.
Shoulder Pain - Pain is often felt on the outside of the shoulder and upper arm and may worsen with movement.
Weakness - Patients frequently notice difficulty lifting objects, reaching overhead, or performing routine tasks.
Limited Range of Motion - The shoulder may feel stiff, making it difficult to raise or rotate the arm.
Nighttime Pain - Many individuals with a rotator cuff tear experience pain while lying on the affected side, disrupting sleep.
Clicking or Popping - Some patients report sensations of catching, clicking, or grinding within the shoulder joint.
Common causes include:
Age-related tendon degeneration
Repetitive overhead sports or occupational movements
Falls, lifting injuries, or sudden trauma
Bone spurs irritating the tendons over time
How Long Is Rotator Cuff Surgery?
One of the most common questions patients ask is, "How long is rotator cuff surgery?"
The length of surgery depends on the size and complexity of the tear. In most cases, rotator cuff repair takes approximately one to three hours.
Factors that can affect surgical time include:
Size of the tear
Number of tendons involved
Presence of additional shoulder conditions
Whether other procedures are performed at the same time
Most patients return home the same day following surgery.
What Happens During Rotator Cuff Surgery?
One | Small incisions are made
Several tiny incisions are created around the shoulder, typically less than a centimeter each.
Two | Arthroscope is inserted
A miniature camera (arthroscope) gives the surgeon a clear view of the damaged tendon.
Three | Tendon is repaired
The torn tendon is reattached to the bone using specialized anchors and sutures.
FOur | Additional issues addressed
Bone spurs, inflammation, or other damage found during surgery is treated at the same time.
Meet your SHOULDER Specialist
Dr. Ramesh Srinivasan
Fellowship-Trained, Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon | 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctor & Top AAPI Doctor
Dr. Srinivasan is a specialist in treating shoulder, elbow, and hand injuries with vast experience in both arthroscopic and open techniques for rotator cuff, labrum, cartilage, and ligament injuries, as well as shoulder replacement. He is dedicated to helping patients of all ages and abilities return to their favorite activities, from daily tasks to competitive sports.
why come to The Hand and Upper Extremity Center of San Antonio for your Rotator Cuff Surgery?
When you visit us at The Hand and Upper Extremity Center of San Antonio, you will find a fine-tuned team ready to take care of you. Your physicians have over 100 years of collective experience and represent multiple generations and training backgrounds. In addition to your surgeons, you may meet one of our shoulder surgery fellows. Each fellow is a fully trained orthopaedic or plastic surgeon who has completed 5 to 7 years of surgical training after graduation from medical school and has chosen to spend an additional year in training to study shoulder surgery. In addition to the physicians, you will meet various staff members. From the front desk staff and Medical Assistants (MA’s) to the x-ray and cast technicians, each is committed to taking care of you.
Ready to Get Your Shoulder Back?
Schedule a consultation with San Antonio's fellowship-trained shoulder specialists. Same-day appointments often available.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Hand & Upper Extremity Center of San Antonio specializes in rotator cuff diagnosis and surgical repair. Our fellowship-trained shoulder surgeon, Dr. Ramesh Srinivasan, sees patients at our San Antonio office at 21 Spurs Lane, Suite 248. We accept most major insurance plans and offer same-day consultations for patients experiencing significant shoulder pain or weakness.
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Yes, we regularly see patients from across the greater San Antonio region, including New Braunfels, Schertz, Converse, Seguin, and Boerne. Our office is conveniently located in the medical district near Loop 410, making us easily accessible from most parts of the metro area. If you're traveling from farther away, we'll work to consolidate your visits and can offer telemedicine follow-ups when appropriate.
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We understand that shoulder pain is disruptive and often urgent. Our San Antonio team works to see new patients as quickly as possible, in many cases within the same week. Call us at (210) 558-7025 or use our online form to request an appointment, and our staff will find the earliest available time that works for you.
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Most rotator cuff repairs performed at our San Antonio practice take between one and three hours, depending on the size and complexity of the tear. Smaller partial tears may be resolved in about an hour, while massive or multi-tendon tears can take closer to three hours. In nearly all cases, patients return home the same day, rotator cuff surgery is an outpatient procedure.
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Full recovery from rotator cuff surgery typically takes 6–12 months. At our San Antonio practice, we walk every patient through a structured recovery plan: the first 6 weeks focus on protection and pain control with a sling, followed by supervised physical therapy through our in-house shoulder therapy team. Most patients return to light daily activities around 3–4 months and full activity, including sports and overhead work, between 9–12 months. Your surgeon will give you a personalized timeline at your consultation.
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Not every rotator cuff tear requires surgery. Many of our San Antonio patients improve significantly with conservative treatment, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, or corticosteroid injections. Surgery becomes the recommended option when conservative treatment hasn't relieved symptoms after several months, when the tear is large or involves multiple tendons, or when the injury came from acute trauma. Dr. Srinivasan performs a thorough evaluation, including imaging, before recommending any surgical approach.
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We accept most major insurance plans at our San Antonio office, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, Medicare, TriCare, and United Healthcare. Our team will verify your coverage before your procedure so there are no surprises. For out-of-pocket costs, we also offer CareCredit financing. Call us at (210) 558-7025 and we'll help clarify your benefits before your first visit.
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It depends on what your job requires. Many of our San Antonio patients in desk-based or sedentary roles return to work within 2–4 weeks. Those in more physically demanding jobs, construction, military, warehouse work, or anything involving overhead lifting, typically need 4–6 months before returning to full duties. Dr. Srinivasan will give you a return-to-work estimate based on your specific repair and occupation at your post-surgical follow-up.
Meet Our Physicians
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David P. Green, M.D.
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Mark Bagg, M.D.
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David W. Person, M.D., F.A.C.S.
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Ramesh C. Srinivasan, M.D.
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