Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment Options
- If caught and treated early enough, the rotator cuff can heal. However, waiting too long after an injury to get treatment can result in a more complicated healing plan. When a person first experiences the pain of a torn rotator cuff, overhead movement and lifting of weight should be avoided until a medical professional is consulted.
- To diagnose a rotator cuff injury, medical professionals look for pain in the shoulder when reaching up, weakness in the shoulder, loss of movement and muscle weakness. They're likely to order an X-ray, MRI or ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis.
- The first course of treatment might be physical therapy to work on range of motion and help strengthen the muscles in the shoulder and surrounding areas. Exercises for the entire body may be prescribed if the patient needs to transfer repetitive motion for a specific movement to help prevent further stress. The physical therapist will need to evaluate the patient's activities to devise a plan to prevent repeating the injury.
- If physical therapy doesn't work or if the injury is too severe, surgery may be recommended. The types of surgery can be decompression, rotator cuff repair with stitches, shoulder replacement or tissue transfers. Regional or general anesthesia may be used. Unless more invasive surgery is needed or there are complications, this is typically outpatient surgery. The patient needs to follow up with physical therapy and exercises to maintain strength in the shoulder.
- For those in severe pain, corticosteroid injections may provide some relief. An injection of the medication around the affected muscles can reduce swelling, inflammation and pain. An over-the-counter pain reliever sometimes helps reduce pain.
- The treatment can last several weeks to a year, depending on the severity of the injury and the method of treatment. Physical therapy can last three weeks to six months including an exercise program or up to a year after surgery.
