Rotator Cuff Tear

Two of the first treatments your doctor may recommend include rest and avoiding activities that cause pain. You may need to wear an arm sling while your shoulder heals.

You can also practice at-home care for a painful shoulder:

• Apply heat or ice to help alleviate discomfort in your shoulder.
• Change your sleeping position so you do not lie on your injured shoulder.
• Keep frequently used items in lower cabinets or at counter height to avoid reaching.
• Use good posture so your shoulder blades stay in the correct position.

Your provider will likely recommend seeing a physical therapist. Physical therapists work with people who have torn rotator cuffs to improve shoulder movement and strengthen the muscles connected to your arm and shoulder blade.

Physical therapy can help reduce pain and restore function without surgery. If you have surgery, you will need physical therapy to improve strength, movement and flexibility after your procedure.

Medications will help reduce your pain and swelling. Initially, you can try over-the-counter pain relievers, and if those no longer work, your provider may offer joint injections that may work more effectively.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium reduce inflammation in your muscles and joints and help relieve your pain.
• Corticosteroid injections: These medications are typically injected directly into the shoulder to reduce swelling and pain.

If you have a complete tear or nonsurgical treatments haven’t worked, surgery might be an option. If you’re extremely active or use your arms for overhead work or sports, your doctor could suggest surgery to help you regain the mobility in your shoulder and arm to stay active.

• Arthroscopic tendon repair: In this procedure, your surgeon will insert a tiny camera and surgical tools through small incisions to reattach the torn tendon to the bone.
• Open tendon repair: In some situations, an open tendon repair may be the best option. An incision of several centimeters will be made to help your surgeon gain better access to the rotator cuff tear to reattach the damaged tendon.
• Reverse shoulder replacement: In some cases, the tears may be too large or aren’t repairable due to the age of the tear, and shoulder replacement surgery may be required. During this procedure, your surgeon inserts a metal ball into your shoulder’s socket and lines the head of your arm bone with a plastic arm bone. The procedure allows your deltoid muscles, rather than your rotator cuff, to move your arm.