Rotator Cuff Tears
A rotator cuff tear is a tear in one or more of the tendons that make up the rotator cuff group of muscles – supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and subscapularis. Tears can be either full thickness or partial thickness, and can occur acutely i.e., with trauma, or slowly over time i.e., degenerative. Rotator cuff tears may cause shoulder pain, weakness, and difficulty with everyday activities like lifting or reaching overhead.
Benefits of Treatment
Significant Pain Relief
Alleviate shoulder pain caused by rotator cuff tears.
Improved Shoulder Strength
Regain the ability to lift and use your arm effectively.
Enhanced Range of Motion
Restore comfortable movement in your shoulder.
Personalised Treatment Plan
Tailored care, from non-surgical options to surgical repair.
Expert Shoulder Surgeon
Access to a highly experienced and locally based shoulder surgeon.
Treatment for Rotator Cuff Tears
During your consultation, Dr Richmond will carefully evaluate your condition and discuss all management options with you, including non-surgical treatments, so you can confidently decide on the right path forward.
Surgically reattaches torn tendons of the rotator cuff to the bone, restoring shoulder strength and movement.
$500 Known Gap
For patients with Private Health Insurance who are eligible for this Procedure, Dr Bradley Richmond charges a Known Gap. The remaining Surgical costs are covered jointly by your Private Health Insurer and Medicare.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can easily Request a Consultation by calling our friendly team directly on (07) 4911 6088 during business hours OR use our online Consultation Request Form.
Standard Pathway:
A referral from a Doctor (GP or Specialist) that is addressed to Dr Richmond or any other Australian Orthopaedic Surgeon, is required. Once your referral is received, either direct from the Doctor or submitted by you, it will be triaged within 24 hours. Dr Richmond will review the referral and advise regarding referral suitability, appointment urgency, and the need for any further pre-appointment imaging. The administration team will then contact you to arrange an Initial Consultation.
Rapid Access Pathway:
If you 45 years old or younger and have sustained an acute sports-related knee or shoulder injury within the last 2 weeks you may choose to access this option. Call our team or use our online Consultation Request Form to request an Urgent Consultation (in person or via phone/video) with Dr Vicki Richmond (GP). Following an initial assessment, Vicki will arrange any imaging your require, a referral, and a Rapid Access Consultation with Dr Bradley Richmond, as appropriate.
DVA Gold Card and eligible White Card holders are bulk billed for all consultations. If referred by a third party, you may be entitled to receive care from Dr Richmond at no cost e.g., WorkCover, Surgery Connect.
Your Initial Consultation will involve a thorough discussion of your presenting concerns, functional limitations, and previous health history. Dr Richmond will perform a comprehensive physical examination and review any existing imaging (X-rays, ultrasound, MRI, CT scans). If further investigations are needed, they will be arranged. He will then provide a clear, understandable explanation of your diagnosis and discuss all suitable treatment options, ensuring you are fully informed for shared decision-making. If surgery is recommended (such as knee replacement surgery, rotator cuff repair, ACL reconstruction), you will receive detailed information about the procedure, expected outcomes, and potential risks.
The cost for orthopaedic surgery varies between surgeons, even for the same procedure.
Dr Richmond and his team takes Informed Financial Consent very seriously. If surgery is recommended for your condition, you will be provided with an individualised quote for the Surgical Costs associated with the indicated procedure. You will also be advised how to seek estimates for the additional Surgical Assistant, Anaesthetist, and Hospital costs.
If you have Private Health Insurance and are covered for the required item number, most elective procedures are undertaken with a Known Gap of $500.
If you are a WorkCover, Surgery Connect, or DVA patient - you will have no out-of-pocket Surgical Costs.
Please see the Fees page for more detailed information.
Yes, as long as your Private Health Insurance covers your for the required item number; most elective procedures are undertaken with a Known Gap of $500.
Meet Dr Richmond
About Dr Bradley Richmond
Dr Bradley Richmond graduated as a Doctor from the University of Auckland in 2004 and trained as an Orthopaedic Surgeon in New Zealand, obtaining fellowship of The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2014. He then spent a further 18 months undertaking subspecialty fellowship training in in Knee and Shoulder surgery in Sydney.
Since December 2015, Dr Richmond has had an appointment as a Staff Specialist at Rockhampton Hospital – providing Orthopaedic care to Central Queenslanders, and providing training and supervision to Orthopaedic Trainees, Junior Doctors, and International Medical Graduate Specialists.
Dr Richmond and his family have now called Central Queensland home for over 10 years and are heavily involved in the Rockhampton community. He is passionate about all things sport and is a keen Squash player and Golfer.
Operating Locations
Consulting Locations
