Rotator cuff injuries are common and increase in likelihood with age. Whether you injured your rotator cuff playing a sport or you suffer from chronic rotator cuff pain, look no further than Dr. Michael Bercik and our expert orthopedic team for rotator cuff repair in Reading, PA.

Dr. Bercik graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgetown University, before receiving his medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Following this, he completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the Rothman Institute in Philadelphia, PA. He also completed two international fellowships in France and Australia specializing in conditions of the shoulder and elbow.

When back in New Jersey, Dr. Bercik completed a fellowship in Trauma and Reconstructive surgery at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, where he learned advanced techniques for treating post-traumatic complications of the shoulder. Dr. Bercik is able to treat rotator cuff injuries using specialized treatment methods he has learned through his academic, residency, and practical experiences. We ensure that our patients are given the best treatment methods available to recover in minimal time.

Types of Rotator Cuff Tears 

There are multiple tendons that make up the rotator cuff, and when one of these is torn, the tendon no longer attaches fully to the head of the humerus. The most commonly torn tendon is the supraspinatus tendon, but depending on the severity of the injury, more tendons or tissues may be injured as well.

Rotator cuff tears usually start by fraying and can progress over time with repeated stress to become full tears. The two main types of rotator cuff tears are partial tears and full-thickness tears. A partial tear is an incomplete tear, and the tendon is not completely disconnected. A full-thickness tear is a complete tear, and the tendon comes completely separated from the shoulder bone.

Tears in the rotator cuff are most commonly from one of two causes:

• Injury: The rotator cuff can be torn through an abrupt motion or impact, which is called an acute tear. This may be accompanied by other shoulder injuries.

• Degeneration: This is the primary cause of most rotator cuff tears, and it is the result of overuse and wearing down of the tendons over time. This becomes much more likely as we age and is seen most often in the dominant arm. If you have a generative tear in one shoulder, there is also a bigger chance of a rotator cuff tear in the other shoulder. The main factors that lead to a degenerative tear include:
  • Repetitive stress: Repeating the same shoulder muscles over and over. Sports are a common cause of this.
  • Lack of blood supply: This happens as we age and reduces the ability for our tendons to repair themselves.
  • Bone spurs: Bone overgrowth, called bone spurs, can develop in the shoulder as we age and rub the rotator cuff tendons.

Ready to Begin?

When needing a rotator cuff repair, residents of Reading, PA should trust Dr. Michael J Bercik and our expert team at Lancaster Orthopedics. We specialize in ailments of the shoulder and ensure our patients are on the best path towards a quick and effective recovery. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Bercik, please click the “Schedule An Appointment” link in the top right of the website or call (866) 564-1000.