Your Search for a Rotator Cuff Tear Physician Ends at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute

Know how to properly address a rotator cuff tear with this information from Rothman Orthopaedic Institute

Rotator cuff tears are relatively common for adult patients and comprise a significant amount of shoulder injuries experienced by orthopedic patients each year. Many people suffer a torn rotator cuff due to trauma in the shoulder, usually as a result of a bad fall or overuse of the shoulder joint.

If you or a loved one have experienced a shoulder injury and are in search of a reliable rotator cuff tear physician, Rothman Orthopaedic Institute’s capable physicians are well equipped to provide treatment or to simply answer your questions.

The Rotator Cuff Tear: from a Rotator Cuff Tear Physician’s Perspective

Let’s begin with the basics: what is a rotator cuff? Four muscles meet atop the upper end of the arm to create a “cuff” of tendons over the humerus. The four muscles extend from the shoulder blade, or scapula, and join the shoulder while forming the rotator cuff which encapsulates the joint. The rotator cuff is vital to providing lifting and rotation movements, as well as stability to the shoulder’s ball joint.

In the event that the rotator cuff is torn, your Rothman physician will recommend that treatment begins as soon as possible. When given an early diagnosis as well as treatment, physicians will likely be able to prevent unwanted symptoms from occurring, such as loss of dexterity and strength.

In many cases, a torn rotator cuff can be addressed with nonsurgical treatment, including physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, or injections. Rotator cuff tear recovery time is often complicated by the cuff’s inability to heal itself by natural means. Athletes, or patients who perform regular overhead lifting, then, are often recommended for surgical treatment instead.

The Rotator Cuff Tear: from a Patient’s Perspective

So what is it like? Tearing one’s rotator cuff can be a jarring experience: in the event that the cuff is torn due to sudden trauma, patients will experience pain mainly in the front of the shoulder, spreading down the side of the arm. Continued use of the arm after such trauma can make even simple activities such as combing your hair or sleeping on your side sources of acute pain.

Patients whose rotator cuffs are torn due to wear and tear over time will have a similar pain experience, without the initial shock of a snapping sensation and sudden weakness in the arm.

Treating a Torn Rotator Cuff

Left unchecked, a rotator cuff tear can worsen and grow larger, especially when a patient returns to normal activity without seeking treatment, likely inviting a re-injury. If you or a loved one is aware of a rotator cuff tear and is experiencing increased pain and weakness, it may mean the tear has grown in size over time.

Rothman Orthopaedic Institute recommends seeing a physician as soon as possible after a rotator cuff injury. Our knowledgeable and compassionate physicians are experienced with a wide range of orthopaedic options, and rotator cuff tears are among the most common injuries we see. Your rotator cuff tear physician will be able to make a diagnosis for your injury and recommend proper treatment. When caught early enough, surgery may not be necessary.

Your rotator cuff tear physician may recommend surgery in the event that your pain and weakness persist despite diligent non-surgical treatment. It is common for patients who require surgical treatment to experience pain while sleeping and acute difficulty using their arm for basic daily tasks.

The Care You Need, from a Reliable Orthopedic Institute

Rothman’s physicians will walk alongside you to make sure you get the treatment you need. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a Rothman rotator cuff tear physician today, visit us here or contact us at 1-800-321-9999.