Rotator cuff injury treatment

Your rotator cuff is a group of tendons that allow your shoulder to move freely in the socket. While overuse injuries are the most common reason patients seek rotator cuff injury treatment, sudden traumatic injury like lifting something that is too heavy can also damage the tendons. Depending on the severity of the tear, your rotator cuff injury treatment could vary greatly.

Partial rotator cuff tear

Tennis and baseball players are more at risk for the overuse injuries that usually result in a partial rotator cuff tear. While less serious than a full tear, it can still be very painful and recovery time can take weeks or even months. Common rotator cuff injury treatments for partial tears include:

• Anti-inflammatory medicines to deal with pain and swelling
• Exercises to safely move and strengthen the shoulder joint
• Stretches to increase mobility and range of motion

The goal when a partial tear occurs is to allow the body to heal naturally. Surgery is not often recommended for partial tears unless other treatment methods have failed to show improvement in the shoulder.

Complete rotator cuff tear

Acute injuries such as a slip and fall are more likely to cause complete rotator cuff tears. While alternative treatments can help manage pain and improve function, complete tears can get worse over time if not repaired and cause permanent shoulder damage.

Surgery is then performed to reattach the tendon. Of course, surgery comes with risk of infection and other complications.

Physical therapy for rotator cuff injuries

Armor Physical Therapy is experienced in treating all types of rotator cuff injuries. The physical therapist will perform a thorough examination to determine the cause of your pain and develop a personalized rotator cuff injury treatment plan with you.

If you have recently had rotator cuff surgery for a complete tear, Armor Physical Therapy will work with your doctor to create a post-surgical rehab plan. It is important to rehabilitate the shoulder as you could develop arthritis or a frozen shoulder if the tear is not treated. Contact us today to set up your initial appointment and go over your rotator cuff injury treatment options.