Do you know what keeps your shoulder moving smoothly? It is the rotator cuff! This group of muscles and tendons stabilizes your shoulder joint and helps with movement. However, injuries can turn this helpful part of your body into a source of pain and discomfort.
A rotator cuff injury can happen due to overuse, sudden movements, or even aging. Athletes and people who use their shoulders a lot are at higher risk. But do not worry! Many rotator cuff injuries can heal without surgery.
This blog will guide you through non-surgical treatments for rotator cuff to help you get back to your daily activities.
What Is a Rotator Cuff Injury?
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their tendons that surround the shoulder joint – one of the most mobile joints of the body. These muscles and tendons keep the head of your upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder and help with shoulder movements.
Injuries to the rotator cuff may include tears, strains, or inflammation. These injuries to the rotator cuff can cause pain, weakness, and limited mobility in your shoulder.
Benefits of Non-Surgical Treatments
Non-surgical treatments for rotator cuff injuries offer many advantages. First, they are less invasive than surgery – this reduces the risk of complications.
Second, they often require less recovery time. Finally, non-surgical methods can be effective in relieving pain and restoring function.
Common Non-Surgical Treatments for Rotator Cuff Injury
Here are some non-surgical treatments available for rotator cuff injury.
Rest and Activity Modification
One of the simplest ways to begin healing is by resting your shoulder. Avoid activities that cause pain, like lifting heavy objects or repetitive movements.
Give your shoulder a break to reduce inflammation and prevent further damage to the rotator cuff.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a crucial part of non-surgical treatment for rotator cuff injury. A physical therapist can create a personalized exercise plan for your rotator cuff injury.
These exercises strengthen the muscles around the shoulder, improve flexibility, and reduce pain.
Stretching Exercises
Gentle stretching can improve your injured shoulder’s range of motion. Simple exercises like pendulum swings or the cross-body stretch can be very effective.
Always perform stretches slowly and stop if you feel rotator cuff injury-related shoulder pain.
Strengthening Exercises
Building strength in the surrounding muscles will support your rotator cuff. Resistance bands are excellent tools for strengthening exercises.
Focus on exercises that work the shoulder’s stabilizing muscles, like external rotations and scapular squeezes.
Pain Management
Pain can make it hard to stick to your treatment plan. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help with rotator cuff injury-related pain.
As a non-surgical treatment for rotator cuff injury, these medications reduce pain and inflammation in the injured shoulder. Always follow the recommended dosage and consult a sports medicine doctor or orthopedic doctor if you have any questions.
Ice and Heat Therapy
Applying ice packs to your injured shoulder can reduce swelling and numb the pain arising from an injured rotator cuff tear.
Use an ice pack for 15-20 minutes several times a day to ease shoulder pain. Once the initial swelling goes down, you can switch to heat therapy as a non-surgical treatment for rotator cuff injury. A warm towel or heating pad can relax and loosen tissues, promoting healing in the injured shoulder.
Corticosteroid Injections
If pain persists, corticosteroid injections might be a helpful non-surgical treatment option for rotator cuff injury. These injections in the injured shoulder joint reduce inflammation and provide temporary relief.
However, they are not a long-term solution for rotator cuff injury and should be used sparingly.
When to See a Doctor
If you do not see improvement after several weeks of non-surgical treatments for rotator cuff injury, it is time to consult a sports injury doctor. Orthopedists (often mistakenly referred to as orthopedist doctors) or sports injury doctors can provide additional guidance and explore other treatment options.
Non-Surgical Treatments for Rotator Cuff Injury in Boynton Beach, FL
Healing a rotator cuff injury without surgery is possible. With the right combination of rest, physical therapy, pain management, and other treatments for rotator cuff in adults, you can recover and return to your regular activities.
At Personalized Orthopedics of the Palm Beaches, we are committed to supporting you every step of the way during your healing from a rotator cuff injury.
By focusing on personalized, compassionate orthopedic care, our team of orthopedic surgeons is here to guide you through tailored non-surgical and surgical treatment plans that fit your unique needs.
To schedule a consultation with our experienced orthopedists, call us today at (561) 733-5888, Ext. 9., or use our convenient appointment request form. Our dedicated team is eager to help you!
