Rotator Cuff Tears
Rotator cuff tears are a common injury to the shoulder joint occurring in patients of all ages. These tears can be devastating for patients given how vital shoulder mobility is for everyday activities.
What is wrong with my shoulder?
There are key symptoms included in diagnosing a rotator cuff tear. The first symptom patients usually notice is pain. The pain is often most severe when performing overhead activities, focused on the outside of the shoulder, and in some cases, the pain prevents a good night’s sleep. Secondly, weakness is a common symptom of a rotator cuff tears.
Our providers at Direct Orthopedic Care (DOC) in Boise, Idaho can diagnose where the weakness in the shoulder is coming from. This involves performing tests to isolate tendons of the rotator cuff, which facilitates an evaluation of the severity of the joint weakness.
When a patient is positive for rotator cuff tear upon the physical examine, the next step is to confirm the diagnosis with an MRI test.
Now what do I do?
After someone is diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear, various factors can help determine treatment options. It is important to meet with an orthopedic surgeon, specifically one who specializes in arthroscopic shoulder procedures. After meeting with the shoulder surgeon, diverse treatment options might be recommended.
Some of the non-surgical treatment options patients can do on their own include rest and physical activity modification. This can give the rotator cuff time to let the inflammation go down and become less painful. Oftentimes, physical therapy will be prescribed to help strengthen the rotator cuff muscles, thus maintaining shoulder function. In addition to physical therapy, many physicians will give patients steroid injections to help reduce inflammation, which contributes to the success of physical therapy.
Non-surgical treatment options relieve the symptoms of rotator cuff tears in only around 50% of patients. If non-surgical treatment is not an option, or if it is unsuccessful, then surgery can be considered. Various factors play into the decision for surgery. For example, a person who lives a less active lifestyle may be able to deal with a small degree of pain on a regular basis. It is imperative for patients to be evaluated as soon as possible due to the complexity of a rotator cuff tear. In some cases, waiting too long can cause the tendon to retract, making the repair more difficult or even impossible.
If you are experiencing shoulder pain, walk-in to DOC 365 days a year!