Torn Rotator Cuff

Torn Rotator Cuff Treatment

If you’re experiencing torn rotator cuff symptoms or have pain and discomfort in your shoulder, contact AICA Orthopedics today. Our team of experienced doctors and healthcare specialists are committed to helping individuals make a recovery from all medical conditions and injuries.

We will do a complete diagnostic workup to ensure we are treating to root cause of your pain, and then we will make recommendations on what type of treatment to seek based on the severity of your rotator cuff injury.

Common forms of treatment for a torn rotator cuff include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, injections of cortisone, and torn rotator cuff surgery. In most cases, shoulder surgery is not required to treat a torn rotator cuff and provide relief from the pain you’re experiencing.

AICA Orthopedics offers a variety of non-surgical treatment options for most common types of torn rotator cuff injuries. Chiropractic is often an ideal starting place for many, as chiropractic care helps to realign the parts of the body that has shifted over the years or from arm movements caused by day-to-day activities, sports, and injuries.

The results of the examination will determine which treatment options are appropriate. A few non-surgical solutions include rest and adjustments to particular behaviors or activities. Rest helps reduce inflammation and can alleviate pain. Physical therapy may be recommended to help restrengthen damaged muscles or a cortisone injection may be used to reduce swelling and pain. If non-surgical treatment is not appropriate or unsuccessful, your Orthopedic Doctor may recommend surgery.

In rarer cases, torn rotator cuff surgery may be required if the symptoms from your torn shoulder have not improved in 6 to 12 months and you are experiencing significant weakness in your shoulder (or loss of function). Some acute injuries that cause a tear may also make torn rotator cuff surgery a candidate. An orthopedic surgeon at AICA Orthopedics will discuss recommend surgical options based on your situation. The benefits, recovery time, and other risks will be provided for you to make the most informed decision.

During surgery, our surgical specialists repair the torn rotator cuff by re-attaching the tendon to the head of the upper arm bone (known as the humerus) where it originated. If the tear is not severe, such as a partial tear requiring surgery, debridement may be done to trim or smooth the tear.

The decision to follow through with surgery requires a series of conversations between the patient and doctor. It’s important to understand how the procedure works, what the doctor’s goals are, and how it will impact everyday activities. To help support the recovery process, physical therapy may be recommended after surgery to help restore mobility and muscle strength.

Reach out to our team at AICA Orthopedics to ask questions or learn more about a torn rotator cuff and the best treatment options for you.