The all-too-familiar “pop!” immediately followed by weakness, pain, and immobility; the classic signs of a shoulder injury. Many shoulder injuries affect the rotator cuff. “Each year approximately 200,000 Americans require surgery related to rotator cuff repair” (Yamaguchi). This vast number of surgeries makes shoulder injuries a popular topic in the medical field. Doctors have been researching ways to improve patients' recovery and return their mobility to normal. One of these improvements is the release of the long head of the biceps tendon. One of the main injuries suffered in the shoulder is that of the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and the tendon that surrounds it in the shoulder. These muscles and tendons (rotator cuff) serve to stabilize the shoulder. Many athletes are at risk of rotator cuff injuries due to repetitive impacts and sudden movements. In many cases, surgical treatment of the rotator cuff is necessary. The most common of these cases is complete or total rotator cuff tear. This occurs when there is a tear on the rotator cuff creating two separate pieces. Another reason surgery may be needed is a degenerative lesion. A degenerative lesion is one that begins as a small or partial lesion and progressively worsens over time. Degenerative injuries are usually the result of overuse of the shoulder, while full-length injuries tend to result from an acute injury. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, rotator cuff surgery is recommended if a patient has any of the following symptoms: "symptoms that last 6 to 12 months, a large tear (more than 3 cm), significant weakness and loss of shoulder function, or the tear was caused by a r...... middle of paper ......Np, nd Web. April 17, 2014. "Biceps Tenotomy." Np, nd Web. April 17, 2014."Frozen Shoulder-OrthoInfo - AAOS." Frozen Shoulder-OrthoInfo - AAOS. Np, nd Web. April 17, 2014. "Humeral Fracture Following Biceps Tenodesis in a Baseball Pitcher - Mike Reinold." Mike Reinold. Np, nd Web. April 17, 2014. "Missoula Bone, Joint and Surgical Center." Patient Education. Np, nd Web. April 17, 2014. "Rotator Cuff Tears: Treatment Options Surgical Treatment-OrthoInfo - AAOS." Rotator Cuff Tears: Surgical Treatment Options-OrthoInfo - AAOS. Np, nd Web. April 17, 2014. "Shoulder Subluxation | Shoulder instability | Treatment Options." Shoulder Subluxation | Shoulder Instability | Treatment Options. Np, nd Web. April 17, 2014. Yamaguchi, Ken. "New Guidelines on Rotator Cuff Problems." New Guidelines on Rotator Cuff Problems rotators. Np, nd Web. April 17. 2014.