Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment

The shoulder joint is extremely complicated. A number of muscles, tendons, and ligaments work in concert to provide the shoulder with the wide range of motion it is known for. One of the most important contributors to this range of motion is the rotator cuff. Any injury to this structure can impair movement of the shoulder, making it difficult to live your life to the fullest. The most common injury of this type is a rotator cuff tear, which affects 22.1% of the general population.

The shoulder specialists at Boston Hand to Shoulder are able to quickly diagnose rotator cuff tears and develop a treatment plan that is custom-tailored to you.

Most rotator cuff tears are simply the result of aging. When this happens, it is known as degeneration. As the human body ages, blood flow to the rotator cuff decreases, which can substantially weaken the tendons. The risk of this leading to a rotator cuff tear increases greatly after the age of 50.

When degeneration is not the cause, it is often overuse and repetitive motions that are responsible. Repetitive overhead movements, such as those used by painters, carpenters, and athletes, cause gradual wear on the rotator cuff, eventually leading to a tear.

Additionally, rotator cuff tears can be caused by sudden trauma placing force on the shoulder joint. This can include falling on an outstretched arm, lifting a heavy object improperly, or a shoulder dislocation.

Often the most noticeable symptom of a rotator cuff tear is pain. This can present itself as either a sharp pain or a dull ache, but it will almost always be felt on the outside of the shoulder and the upper arm. Additionally, pain will worsen at night, making it difficult to sleep on the affected side.

Aside from pain, you are also likely to notice weakness and limited range of motion in the affected shoulder. This makes it difficult to raise your arm above your head or reach behind your back.

The final hallmark of a rotator cuff tear is a clicking or popping sound. This is quite noticeable and will occur when moving the shoulder, especially when rotating it.

One of our shoulder specialists can use your symptoms to reliably diagnose a rotator cuff tear. Prompt diagnosis is crucial to ensure that proper treatment is administered in a timely manner.

Rotator cuff strains and tears are often confused for one another. The key difference is that a rotator cuff strain is simply an overstretching of, or mild fiber damage to, the rotator cuff. On the other hand, a tear is a partial or full separation of the tendon from the bone. While a strain will usually heal with rest after 1-2 weeks, a tear requires more in depth treatment to heal properly.

It can be extremely dangerous to treat a rotator cuff tear as a strain. A shoulder specialist is needed to ensure that proper diagnosis and treatment can take place to avoid permanent damage.

The first attempt at rotator cuff treatment typically involves the use of rest, ice, and pain-relieving medication, including NSAIDs and cortisone shots, to reduce pain and inflammation in the shoulder. Once pain is managed, rotator cuff tear exercises, a form of physical therapy, are used to improve strength and range of motion.

If physical therapy is not effective, or in cases of severe tears, surgery may be necessary. Lesser tears may just require debridement, which is the removal of any debris in the joint. More severe tears are repaired using arthroscopic surgery. In the most extreme cases, open surgery may be required.

One of our shoulder specialists will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is right for you. The sooner treatment begins, the more successful and easier your recovery is likely to be.