Rotator Cuff Repair in Bethlehem & the Lehigh Valley
Night pain, weakness lifting overhead, an ache that will not quit — rotator cuff problems are the most common reason adults see a shoulder surgeon. Dr. Michael Hendel, MD, PhD completed a dedicated Sports Medicine & Shoulder Surgery fellowship at Hospital for Special Surgery, the nation’s #1 orthopedic hospital, and is a published author on the management of rotator cuff injuries in elite athletes (Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine).
He treats the full spectrum — from inflamed, intact cuffs that need only structured therapy or an image-guided injection, to full-thickness and massive retracted tears requiring advanced arthroscopic repair or superior capsular reconstruction. Care is delivered close to home, with offices in Bethlehem and Kutztown and surgery at St. Luke’s dedicated orthopedic hospital in Allentown.
Conservative First — Surgery When It Counts
Many partial tears and impingement cases improve without an operation. Dr. Hendel starts with the least invasive path that fits your tear pattern: activity modification, targeted physical therapy, anti-inflammatory treatment, and injections. When a full-thickness tear, failed conservative care, or significant weakness calls for surgery, repairs are performed arthroscopically through small incisions using modern suture-anchor techniques.
- Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (single- and double-row)
- Massive tear repair and superior capsular reconstruction
- Biceps tenodesis and subacromial decompression, when contributing to pain
- Reverse shoulder replacement for irreparable tears with arthritis
“Dr. Hendel gave me an excellent explanation of my shoulder pain and conservative treatment options that have helped ease the pain.”
Press Ganey verified patient surveyFrequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my rotator cuff is torn?
Classic signs are pain on the outside of the shoulder that worsens at night or when lifting the arm, and weakness with overhead activity. An examination with specific strength tests, plus an MRI when indicated, confirms the diagnosis and defines the tear pattern.
Does every rotator cuff tear need surgery?
No. Many partial tears and most cases of impingement or tendinitis respond to therapy and injections. Surgery is generally recommended for full-thickness tears in active patients, tears causing significant weakness, and pain that fails several weeks of conservative care.
What is recovery like after rotator cuff repair?
A sling protects the repair for roughly 4-6 weeks while motion is restored gradually. Strengthening begins around 3 months, and most patients return to full activity between 4 and 6 months for small tears, 6 to 9 months for large ones — following a written, phase-based protocol.