Should You Fix Both Shoulders at Once or Wait? A Surprising Answer

You have a torn rotator cuff in both shoulders. You might think fixing them both at once would be quicker and easier. But hold on, there's more to consider. A recent study looked at whether it's better to have both shoulders fixed at the same time or to space out the surgeries. The study found that doing one shoulder at a time, with a bit of time in between, might actually be better. This approach, called staged surgery, had lower revision rates. Revision rates are how often the surgery needs to be redone. It also showed better functional outcomes. This means patients had better use of their shoulders after the surgeries. But why might this be? Let's think about it. When you have surgery, your body needs time to heal. Doing both shoulders at once might overwhelm your body's ability to recover. By spacing out the surgeries, your body can focus on healing one shoulder at a time. This could lead to better long-term results. Plus, having two surgeries close together can be tough on your body and mind. But there's more to consider. Staged surgery means more time overall spent in recovery. This could mean more time off work or away from daily activities. It's also important to think about the cost. Having two separate surgeries might mean higher medical bills. So, while staged surgery might have benefits, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Another thing to think about is the type of tear. Some tears might be more complex than others. This could affect how well the shoulder heals and how well it works after surgery. It's also important to think about your overall health. Some people might heal faster than others. This could affect how well staged surgery works for them. In the end, the choice between staged and simultaneous surgery depends on many factors. It's not a one-size-fits-all situation. It's important to talk to your doctor about what's best for you. They can help you weigh the pros and cons and make an informed decision. Remember, the goal is to get you back to doing the things you love, whether that's playing sports, working, or just enjoying your day-to-day life.