What Are the Treatments for a Tear in the Rotator Cuff?
Rotator cuff injuries affect everyday people, but it is important to understand what they are and how they are treated in order to heal successfully.
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What is a Rotator Cuff Tear?
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Rotator cuffs are a common muscle to tear because they do so many things with the shoulder (they rotate, stabilize and hold the shoulder in place). They can be injured all at once, or over time. A tear can result from a fall or overextension, or it can be the result of constant movement and can grow in severity over time.
At Home Treatments
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Small tears and mild pain can be treated with aspirin-related pain medication and ice. It is also important to rest the shoulder and refrain from participating in contact sports for awhile.
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More Severe Tears
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More severe tears will probably need prescription pain medication and will require a doctor's monitoring. Ice and rest are still prescribed, but sometimes steroids or cortisone shots are used to calm inflammation.
Surgery
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After all non-surgical means are exhausted and the tear is still a problem, most doctors will suggest surgery. Surgeries will usually remove bone around the cuff to relieve pressure. People who choose surgery usually have better results but the recovery time is longer.
Prognosis and Recovery Time
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Small tears in a rotator cuff can take anywhere from three to five weeks to heal without surgery. Surgical patients will have to stay immobile for three weeks then can take on physical therapy. Depending on the person's healing and the severity of the tear, rotator cuffs can take anywhere from three to eight months to heal completely.
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