Area Doctors Using New Procedure To Treat Rotator Cuff Tears

By Lynne Adkins

BURLINGTON, N.J. (CBS) - A new rotator cuff treatment is helping patients become pain-free and get back to work faster than previous procedures.

The Rotation Medical Rotator Cuff System is a patch made of bovine tendon which is placed over the rotator cuff tear.

Dr. Sean McMillan, Chief of Orthopedics at Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County, says it slowly dissolves, letting the rotator tendon heal and rebuild faster:

"We've gotten patients back traditionally to doing their activities about two months quicker than what they were doing previously. but on the short side of things the initial 6-8 weeks after the surgery when most patients are basically bound in a sling after a traditional rotator cuff, we're able to get our patients moving quicker.

He says every year millions of people suffer rotator cuff injuries, causing pain, disability and days lost at work.