Jaime HayRotator cuff tears are a common problem that can occur in any athlete. They occur due to overuse, injury, or sudden changes in your training routine. A rotator cuff tear may occur in one or more of the four tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. The goal of treatment is to help you regain the full range of motion in your shoulder so you can return to normal activities. Treatment for a rotator cuff tear at West Chester varies depending on which part of the tendon is damaged and how severe it is.
If you have a rotator cuff tear, you need to find an orthopedic surgeon to fix it as soon as possible. Here are some of the most common treatments.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy is an effective treatment for rotator cuff tears. It can help strengthen the muscles around your shoulder to support the weight of your arm and shoulder back to normal. That can also help to reduce pain and stiffness in your shoulder.
Doctors may recommend physical therapy if you have a rotator cuff tear or are in pain after playing sports. Your physical therapist will work with you to find safe and comfortable activities (such as swimming).
Platelet-rich plasma therapy
Platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) is another option for treating rotator cuff tears. PRP involves injecting small blood into your torn tendon to encourage healing. Still, it is not as widely used as a cortisone injection or other treatments like stem cell therapy or surgery.
PRP generally requires an overnight stay in the hospital for monitoring and more injections if necessary. The procedure is minimally invasive because it uses just one needle instead of several needles at once, like other surgeries do when repairing tendons.
Surgery
Rotator cuff tears that don’t heal on their own may require surgery, which is the most effective way to repair torn rotator cuffs. The surgery involves removing damaged tissue and replacing it with tissue from your body. Sometimes, your doctor may remove a tendon and replace it with tissue from another part of your body.
Percutaneous fixation
Percutaneous fixation is similar to percutaneous closure, but there’s no need for an incision in this repair method. You place an anchor into either side of the torn cuff and tighten it until it is stable. That may require multiple visits over several weeks or months before you can return home.
Cortisone injection
A cortisone injection is a treatment option for most rotator cuff tears. It can be performed in an outpatient setting. Cortisone injections are beneficial in people with a tear that involves only one side of the tendon, and doctors can also use them to treat partial tears.
Your orthopedic surgeon injects cortisone directly into the injured tendon, where the surrounding muscle and blood vessels absorb it. That helps reduce inflammation and pain.
Depending on the severity of your injury and other factors, you may need different treatment options. If your rotator cuff tear is not causing pain or discomfort, you can typically rest it with ice and anti-inflammatory medications. If you have a rotator cuff tear that causes pain or weakness in your arm (which is most common), you may want to see a doctor. Your doctor will do a physical exam, which may include a test to determine your shoulder range of motion. Contact Beacon Orthopedics & Sports Medicine and schedule an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon to learn more about rotator cuff tears.
Hugh Hay
