Smooth and Move Procedure
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What is the “smooth and move” procedure?
The “smooth and move” procedure is a surgery that I learned from Dr. Rick Matsen. This surgery involves the debridement, or cleaning up, of the bursa above the rotator cuff tear and the debridement of the rotator cuff tear. Sometimes, this may also involve smoothing out any bone spurs on the humerus bone to allow for smooth motion of the shoulder.
What is a smooth and move procedure used for?
The smooth and move procedure is most commonly recommended for partial rotator cuff tears or rotator cuff tears in less active patients that have old rotator cuff tears with poor tissue quality. Younger patients, or patients that have a high demand for their shoulder, may be a better candidate for a superior capsular reconstruction.
What kind of results can I expect after a smooth and move procedure?
Most patients, after a smooth and move procedure, notice almost immediate improvement in their pain and stiffness. Some patients do also have improvement in shoulder strength, however, recovery of full shoulder strength is usually not common due to the continued tear of the rotator cuff.
What is the rehabilitation like after a smooth and move procedure?
I normally have patients start aggressive stretching exercises at home or with a physical therapist immediately after surgery. Our goal is to achieve full range-of-motion and once that is complete, proceed with shoulder strengthening. This rehabilitation protocol is much faster than after a rotator cuff repair.
Check out Dr. Matsen demonstrating these important shoulder rehabilitation exercises: