How do I treat my rotator cuff tear? #Seattle #AAOS
This post is a continuation of our talk on rotator cuff tears. Today, we will be discussing the symptoms and diagnosis of rotator cuff tears. Previous posts included:
Nonsurgical treatment is usually based on avoiding activities that cause shoulder pain, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medications, and extensive shoulder stretching at home or with physical therapy. Often times, the pain in your shoulder is secondary to shoulder stiffness. Once the stiffness has been resolved, the shoulder pain improves significantly. In the past, many physicians have recommended steroid injections into the shoulder. Many shoulder specialists, like myself, do not recommend this course of treatment often due to its negative effect on the rotator cuff tendon. Steroid injections can make the rotator cuff tendon weaker and more prone to more extensive tearing.
If you had a significant injury that resulted in a rotator cuff tear or you have not improved with extensive physical therapy and home exercises, minimally-invasive rotator cuff surgery may be an option for you. To learn more about rotator cuff surgery, continue reading here.