Shoulder specialist · High-specialty in complex rotator cuff repairs
Rotator Cuff Surgery in Mexico
Trained at The Steadman Clinic (Vail, CO) — with an ongoing collaborative relationship with their shoulder team. 100% arthroscopic technique, expertise in complex repairs and revisions, getting patients of every age back to the sport they love.
What are you feeling?
Shoulder pain at night or weakness lifting your arm?
An untreated rotator cuff tear progressively limits strength, sleep and quality of life. The good news: with the right diagnosis and modern arthroscopic technique, the cuff can be repaired and you can return to the activity you love — at any age.
Symptoms
- Shoulder pain at night, especially when lying on the affected side
- Weakness when lifting the arm or reaching overhead
- Difficulty with everyday tasks (combing hair, dressing, reaching back)
- Clicking, catching or grinding in the shoulder
- Loss of strength compared to the other arm
What is the rotator cuff?
The four tendons that move and stabilize your shoulder.
The rotator cuff is a group of four tendons (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis and teres minor) that surround the shoulder joint. They lift, rotate and — most importantly — stabilize the head of the humerus inside the socket with every movement of the arm.
When one or more tendons tear — from trauma, repetitive overhead use or age-related degeneration — the shoulder loses strength, stability and pain-free motion. Most full-thickness tears do not heal on their own; arthroscopic repair is the gold standard for active patients of any age.
When is surgery needed?
Not every cuff tear needs surgery — but full-thickness and traumatic tears usually do.
Many partial or degenerative tears improve with rehabilitation and biologic treatments. The decision is individual: tear size, retraction, muscle quality, age, activity level and goals all matter. In an honest consultation we evaluate whether surgery is truly the best option for you.
Surgery is typically indicated for:
- Full-thickness rotator cuff tears with weakness and functional loss
- Acute traumatic tears in active patients (any age)
- Partial tears that have failed rehabilitation and biologic therapy
- Tears causing persistent night pain that impairs sleep
- Athletes — recreational or competitive — who want to return to their sport
- Complex tears, retears or revisions previously deemed irreparable
Why choose Dr. Iturbide
Trained at The Steadman Clinic — and still collaborating with their shoulder team today.
Dr. Iturbide completed his primary shoulder fellowship at The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado — recognized worldwide as the leading institution in shoulder and knee surgery. The relationship did not end there: he maintains an active collaborative relationship with the Steadman shoulder surgeons, exchanging cases, complex revisions and the latest techniques. He receives Steadman patient referrals every month.
The Steadman Clinic
Primary fellowship in Vail, Colorado — the world reference in rotator cuff and complex shoulder surgery. Active, ongoing collaborative relationship with the Steadman shoulder team.
UIC — Chicago, IL
Additional fellowship at the University of Illinois at Chicago in advanced arthroscopic and reconstructive shoulder surgery.
Patients of every age
From elite athletes (Pumas UNAM, Mexican Sailing Federation, Olympians) to active adults in their 70s — we get patients back to the sports and life they love.
The procedure
Arthroscopic, anatomic, individualized — including complex repairs.
Every rotator cuff repair is planned in detail — tear pattern, tissue quality, retraction, associated injuries — to maximize healing and durability. We have high-specialty experience in complex repairs, retears, massive tears and superior capsule reconstruction (SCR).
Detailed evaluation
Clinical examination plus high-resolution MRI to define which tendons are torn, retraction, muscle quality and reparability.
Personalized surgical plan
Each cuff is different. We define the best repair pattern (single-row, double-row, suture-bridge) based on YOUR anatomy and tear.
100% arthroscopic surgery
All repairs are performed through 4–5 mm portals with high-definition camera — no large incisions, no muscle detachment.
Anatomic tendon-to-bone fixation
Modern double-row / suture-bridge technique — Steadman protocol — restores the original tendon footprint for stronger, more durable healing.
Treatment of associated injuries
Biceps tenodesis, AC joint, labrum, subacromial decompression — addressed in the same surgery when needed.
Complex & revision repairs
Massive tears, retears, superior capsule reconstruction (SCR) and biologic patches — high-specialty techniques learned at Steadman.
Biologic augmentation
PRP and biologic adjuncts to enhance tendon-to-bone healing when indicated.
Same-day discharge
Most patients go home the same day with a sling — no overnight hospital stay required.
Recovery timeline
A clear, criteria-based path back to your sport and your life.
Rotator cuff recovery requires patience: the tendon needs time to heal back to bone. We follow strength, range of motion and stability milestones at each phase — never rushed, never delayed.
Sling protection, pain control, passive range of motion only. Protect the repair while the tendon heals to bone.
Progressive active range of motion, posture work, scapular control. Sling is gradually discontinued.
Strengthening of cuff and scapular stabilizers. Light functional and gym work begins.
Sport-specific training, throwing progression, gradual return to overhead and contact activities.
Return-to-sport based on objective strength and stability testing — for athletes of any age.
Results
Athletes back on the field. Adults back to their lives — at every age.
of patients return to their previous activity level following our protocol — including patients in their 60s and 70s.
discharge for the vast majority of cases — no overnight hospital stay.
typical return-to-sport window — based on objective testing, not just calendar.
Patient process
From first call to final return-to-sport.
1. First consultation
We listen to your story, examine your shoulder and review your imaging in detail.
2. Personalized plan
We explain the tear pattern, options and expected outcomes — clearly and without rushing.
3. Surgery at Centro Médico ABC
Performed at Mexico's leading private hospital, with world-class infrastructure.
4. Guided rehabilitation
We coordinate with elite physical therapists using our own rotator cuff protocols.
5. Return to sport & life
Objective testing and final clearance to return to the activity you love — at any age.
Your shoulder deserves a true specialist.
Book a consultation with Dr. Iturbide and get a clear plan to repair your rotator cuff and return to the activity you love — at any age, without doubts and without losing more time.