Supraspinatus
Helps initiate elevation of the arm. Many MRI reports specifically describe a partial or full-thickness supraspinatus tendon tear.
Nathan Jové, M.D.
Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery in Atlanta
Advanced arthroscopic shoulder surgery for painful supraspinatus tears, full-thickness rotator cuff tears, traumatic injuries and chronic tears that continue to cause weakness, night pain or loss of function.
Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair
Supraspinatus Tear
Full-Thickness Tear
Partial-Thickness Tear
Outpatient Shoulder Surgery
Meet your shoulder surgeon
Dr. Nathan Jové: Rotator Cuff Surgeon in Atlanta
Your MRI is only part of the decision. The surgeon must connect the tear pattern, tendon quality, strength loss, symptoms and long-term goals before recommending rotator cuff repair.
Nathan Jové, M.D.
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, shoulder labral surgery, biceps procedures and complex shoulder care for patients throughout Atlanta, Decatur, Snellville and Loganville.
Experience across the full shoulder spectrum
One Surgeon for Diagnosis, Repair and Long-Term Shoulder Planning
Dr. Jové has a high-volume surgical practice that includes minimally invasive shoulder arthroscopy and arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. He evaluates both straightforward and complex tears, including traumatic tears, retracted supraspinatus tears, multi-tendon tears, failed prior repairs and tears associated with biceps or labral disease.
Rotator cuff surgery is not performed in isolation. The surgeon must understand shoulder instability, biceps and labral disease, cartilage injury, fracture care and shoulder replacement options in case the MRI reveals a more complex problem than a straightforward tendon tear.
Dr. Jové’s approach combines arthroscopic repair skill with reconstruction-level judgment. That matters when deciding whether a tendon should be repaired, whether a large tear is truly repairable or whether a different strategy offers a better chance of restoring function.
- Arthroscopic rotator cuff, labral and biceps procedures
- Evaluation of failed repairs, chronic tears and complex tear patterns
- Shoulder replacement expertise when arthritis or an irreparable tear changes the solution
- Outpatient surgical pathways with individualized postoperative rehabilitation
A repair plan built around the actual tear
A Torn Rotator Cuff Is Not One Single Diagnosis
A rotator cuff tear may involve a small portion of one tendon, a completely detached supraspinatus tendon, several retracted tendons or a chronic tear with muscle atrophy. Those differences matter. The best treatment depends on how the injury happened, which tendon is torn, how much weakness is present, the quality of the tissue and what the MRI shows.
Dr. Nathan Jové evaluates painful and function-limiting rotator cuff tears for patients across Atlanta, Decatur, Snellville, Loganville and the surrounding communities. The goal is not to recommend surgery for every MRI finding. The goal is to determine whether the tendon is repairable, whether it is likely to heal and whether repairing it offers a meaningful advantage over continued non-surgical care.
Rotator cuff anatomy
Four Tendons Work Together to Lift and Stabilize the Shoulder
The rotator cuff surrounds the top of the upper arm bone and keeps the ball centered in the shoulder socket while you raise and rotate the arm.
Subscapularis
Supports internal rotation and front-of-shoulder stability. Tears may occur with biceps tendon instability.
Infraspinatus
Provides external rotation strength and may be involved in larger or more retracted rotator cuff tears.
Teres Minor
Assists external rotation and is especially important when evaluating massive tears and overall muscle function.
Common rotator cuff tear symptoms
Shoulder Pain at Night and Weakness with Lifting Are Classic Clues
Rotator cuff symptoms often develop gradually from tendon wear, repetitive lifting or years of overhead activity. Other tears occur suddenly after a fall, forceful lift or shoulder injury. Pain alone does not prove that the tendon is torn, but the combination of pain and true weakness deserves a careful evaluation.
Prompt evaluation is especially important when:
- The shoulder suddenly became weak after a fall, pop or lifting injury.
- You can no longer actively raise the arm despite previously normal function.
- An MRI shows a retracted full-thickness tear or a large acute tear.
Night Pain
Pain when lying on the affected shoulder or pain that wakes you from sleep is common.
Weakness with Lifting
The arm may feel weak reaching overhead, away from the body or while lowering an object.
Loss of Function
Reaching a shelf, fastening a seat belt, dressing, working or playing sports may become difficult.
Popping or Grinding
Mechanical symptoms can occur from tendon damage, bursitis, biceps disease or associated cartilage wear.
Pain That Persists
Symptoms that continue despite rest, medication, injections or therapy may justify surgical discussion.
Strength That Is Declining
Progressive weakness can suggest tear enlargement, tendon retraction or worsening muscle quality.
Rotator cuff MRI review
Your MRI Report Is Only the Beginning
For surgical planning, the actual shoulder MRI images matter. A report may say “supraspinatus tear,” but the treatment decision depends on much more than that phrase.
If you have already been diagnosed, were told that you need surgery, or are uncertain whether repair is the right next step, you may also request a rotator cuff second opinion through the same MRI review page.
- Partial-thickness versus full-thickness tearing
- Tear width, tendon retraction and number of tendons involved
- Muscle atrophy and fatty change
- Biceps, labrum, cartilage, arthritis and other shoulder damage
Imaging used thoughtfully
How Rotator Cuff Tears Are Confirmed
Shoulder X-rays are useful for evaluating arthritis, bone spurs, prior injury and the position of the humeral head, but they do not directly show the rotator cuff tendon. MRI is commonly used when the diagnosis remains uncertain or when surgery is being considered because it shows the tear and the condition of the muscle. High-quality diagnostic ultrasound can also identify many rotator cuff tears.
Imaging findings must be matched to the examination. Some people have a tear on MRI but very little pain or weakness. Others have substantial weakness from an acute tear and need timely review even before months of treatment have passed.
Important: A rotator cuff tear can enlarge over time, but surgery is not automatically required simply because a tear appears on an MRI.
Partial, full-thickness and massive tears
The Type of Rotator Cuff Tear Changes the Treatment Plan
The terms used in an MRI report describe how deeply the tendon is torn and how much of the tendon has detached from bone.
Partial-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tear
Only part of the tendon thickness is disrupted. Many partial tears improve with physical therapy, activity changes and selective injections. Higher-grade tears that remain painful or weak may be repaired after non-surgical care fails.
Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tear
The tendon is torn through its entire thickness and may pull away from its attachment. Symptoms, tear size, retraction, tissue quality and functional demands help determine whether repair is appropriate.
Large or Massive Rotator Cuff Tear
Larger tears require careful assessment of reparability, muscle quality and arthritis. Some can be repaired; others require a different reconstruction strategy or, in selected arthritic shoulders, reverse shoulder replacement.
Traumatic versus degenerative: A sudden tear in a previously functional shoulder is different from a chronic attritional tear. New loss of strength after an injury should be assessed promptly because delay can allow retraction and muscle change.
When is rotator cuff repair considered?
The Decision Is Based on Pain, Weakness, Function and Repairability
Not every rotator cuff tear needs surgery. Treatment should match the patient, the tear and the goals.
Non-Surgical Treatment May Be Reasonable When
- Pain and weakness are mild or improving.
- Function is acceptable for work and daily life.
- The tear is small, partial or chronic without major weakness.
- Medical risks or healing concerns outweigh the expected benefit.
Rotator Cuff Repair May Be Considered When
- Pain, night symptoms or weakness persist despite appropriate treatment.
- A traumatic tear causes new functional loss.
- The MRI shows a repairable full-thickness or high-grade partial tear.
- The patient needs dependable strength for work, sports or daily activity.
Physical Therapy
Therapy can improve motion, shoulder mechanics and strength in the muscles that remain functional. It is often the foundation of non-surgical care.
Corticosteroid Injection
A carefully selected injection may provide short-term pain relief. Repeated injections and injections close to planned repair require caution because they may affect tendon healing or surgical outcomes.
Activity and Medication
Temporary activity modification, anti-inflammatory medication when medically appropriate and sleep-position changes may reduce symptoms while the diagnosis is clarified.
Medically reviewed by Nathan Jové, M.D., board-certified orthopedic surgeon. Last medically reviewed June 22, 2026.
Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair
How the Torn Tendon Is Reattached to Bone
Most rotator cuff repairs are performed arthroscopically through small incisions. A camera provides direct visualization inside the shoulder while specialized instruments prepare the tendon and its attachment site.
Repair strategy is individualized
There is no single anchor pattern that is best for every tear. The number and location of anchors, whether a single-row or double-row construct is used and whether associated biceps or labral disease is treated depend on the actual tear pattern and tissue quality.
Examine the Entire Shoulder
The cartilage, labrum, biceps tendon, rotator cuff and subacromial space are inspected so associated problems are not missed.
Mobilize and Prepare the Tendon
Scar tissue is released when needed, the tear is defined and the bone surface is prepared to support tendon-to-bone healing.
Place Sutures and Anchors
Strong sutures are passed through the torn tendon and secured to bone with anchors. Biocomposite, metal-free anchors are used when clinically appropriate.
Restore the Tendon Footprint
The tendon is brought back to its attachment without excessive tension. Larger tears may benefit from a broader repair construct.
Bone spur removal is not automatic. Acromioplasty or subacromial decompression is performed selectively when anatomy, visualization or mechanical impingement makes it useful rather than as a mandatory part of every rotator cuff repair.
The ABJS rotator cuff surgery approach
Modern Outpatient Shoulder Surgery with Direct Surgeon Involvement
The operation matters, but so do the details before and after surgery: accurate imaging review, honest discussion of healing potential, efficient outpatient care and a rehabilitation plan matched to the repair.
High-Definition Arthroscopy
Direct visualization allows the tear, tendon mobility, biceps and cartilage to be assessed through minimally invasive portals.
Tear-Specific Repair
Anchor position and repair configuration are selected for the size, shape and tissue quality of the tear rather than a one-size-fits-all technique.
Metal-Free Anchors When Appropriate
Biocomposite anchors can secure the repair while avoiding permanent metal hardware in the shoulder.
Outpatient Surgery Center
Appropriate patients recover in a focused outpatient environment and typically return home the same day.
Digital and AI-Assisted Review
Advanced digital tools may support imaging review and planning when they add useful information to the surgeon’s assessment.
Personalized Rehabilitation
Therapy timing is based on tear size, repair strength, tissue quality and the need to balance stiffness prevention with tendon protection.
Rotator cuff repair recovery
Recovery Is a Healing Process, Not Just a Pain Timeline
The tendon needs time to biologically heal back to bone. Feeling better early does not mean the repair is ready for lifting.
Protect the Repair
A sling is commonly used. Hand, wrist and elbow motion begins early. Shoulder motion is passive or carefully limited according to the tear and repair.
Restore Motion
Therapy gradually advances active motion. The repair is still healing, so lifting and resisted shoulder work remain restricted.
Build Strength
Progressive strengthening begins when motion and healing are adequate. Daily function steadily improves, but fatigue is still common.
Return to Demand
Heavy work, overhead sports and high-load activity return gradually. Large tears and physically demanding goals may require the longer end of this range.
What changes the recovery plan?
- Small versus large or massive tear
- Acute versus chronic tendon damage
- Tissue quality and repair tension
- Smoking, diabetes and other healing risks
- Work duties, sport and dominant arm
Realistic expectations matter
Most patients improve, but rotator cuff repair is not a quick recovery and no surgeon can guarantee tendon healing. Stiffness, retear, infection, nerve injury, persistent pain and the need for additional surgery are possible. Tear size, tissue quality, age, medical health, smoking and rehabilitation compliance all affect the result.
The purpose of the preoperative discussion is to identify those risks before surgery and decide whether the expected benefit justifies the recovery.
Atlanta-area rotator cuff care
Shoulder Evaluations in Decatur, Snellville and Loganville
Atlanta Bone & Joint Specialists serves patients from Atlanta, DeKalb County, Gwinnett County, Walton County and surrounding communities.
2801 N. Decatur Road, Suite 200
Convenient for Atlanta and DeKalb County patients seeking shoulder evaluation, X-rays and surgical follow-up.
View Decatur Office2400 Wisteria Drive, Suite A
On-site musculoskeletal MRI is available for selected patients, along with office evaluation and follow-up care.
View Snellville Office4743 Atlanta Highway, Suite 100
Convenient shoulder and orthopedic care for Walton County, eastern Gwinnett and communities farther east.
View Loganville OfficeAtención del manguito rotador en español
Contamos con médicos y personal que hablan español. No necesita depender de un traductor externo.
Frequently asked questions
Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery FAQ
Do all rotator cuff tears need surgery?
No. Many partial tears and some chronic full-thickness tears can be treated with physical therapy, activity modification, medication and selective injections. Surgery is more often discussed when pain, weakness or functional loss persists, when a traumatic tear causes new weakness or when the tear is likely to become harder to repair with delay.
What is a supraspinatus tear?
The supraspinatus is one of the four rotator cuff tendons and is the tendon most commonly described as torn on MRI. A supraspinatus tear may be partial-thickness, full-thickness, small, large or retracted. Those details determine whether it is observed, treated non-surgically or repaired.
Is rotator cuff repair done arthroscopically?
Most repairs can be performed arthroscopically through small incisions using a camera, sutures and anchors. The exact repair depends on tear pattern, tendon mobility, tissue quality and associated shoulder problems.
Is rotator cuff repair outpatient surgery?
Many appropriate patients have rotator cuff surgery in an outpatient surgery center and return home the same day. Medical history, anesthesia needs, home support and the complexity of surgery are reviewed before deciding whether outpatient care is appropriate.
How long will I wear a sling after rotator cuff repair?
A sling is commonly used for approximately four to six weeks, but the timeline may be shorter or longer depending on tear size, repair strength and tissue quality. The surgeon’s protocol takes priority over a generic timeline.
When does physical therapy begin after rotator cuff surgery?
Therapy timing is individualized. Hand, wrist and elbow motion begins early. Passive shoulder motion may begin soon after surgery or be delayed for a larger repair. Active motion and strengthening are introduced in stages as healing progresses.
How long does rotator cuff repair recovery take?
Many patients regain useful daily function over several months, while strength and endurance continue improving for six to twelve months. Larger tears, heavy labor and overhead sports typically require a longer recovery.
Can a rotator cuff tear heal without surgery?
Symptoms can improve without surgery even when the structural tear remains. A completely detached full-thickness tendon generally does not reattach to bone on its own, but not every structural tear requires repair if pain and function are acceptable.
Can a cortisone shot affect rotator cuff repair?
A single injection may provide short-term pain relief for selected patients. Repeated injections and injections given close to surgery require caution because they may negatively affect tendon healing or postoperative outcomes. Timing should be discussed with the operating surgeon.
What happens if the tear is too large to repair?
Options depend on age, muscle quality, arthritis, remaining tendon function and goals. Selected patients may be considered for partial repair, biceps treatment, debridement, tendon transfer, superior capsular reconstruction or reverse shoulder replacement. The MRI and examination help determine which options are realistic.
Can Dr. Jové review my shoulder MRI?
Yes. Patients who already have a shoulder MRI can request a rotator cuff MRI review or schedule a consultation. The actual images are more useful than the written report alone when judging tear size, retraction, muscle quality and repairability.
How do I know whether I am a candidate for rotator cuff repair?
The decision combines symptoms, physical examination, activity goals, health factors and MRI findings. You can complete the online rotator cuff candidate check or schedule a shoulder consultation for an individualized recommendation.
Take the next step
Get a Clear Plan for Your Rotator Cuff Tear
Whether your MRI shows a partial tear, full-thickness supraspinatus tear, tendon retraction or a massive rotator cuff tear, the next step is to determine what is actually causing your symptoms and which treatment offers the best balance of recovery, function and long-term shoulder health.
This page provides general educational information and does not diagnose a rotator cuff tear or replace an in-person medical evaluation. Recovery times, treatment recommendations and surgical results vary by patient and tear pattern.