What is the rotator cuff?
Your rotator cuff is a group of muscles that join together as tendons and cover the top of your humerus (upper arm bone). The rotator cuff attaches your arm to your shoulder blade and supports the lifting and rotating of your arm.
What is a rotator cuff tear?
A rotator cuff tear means one or more of the tendons that make up your rotator cuff is no longer attached to your humerus. Your tear may be partial or complete.
You may develop a rotator cuff tear from an acute injury, such as falling onto an outstretched arm or lifting something too heavy. However, most tears occur because of the tissue degeneration that happens as you get older.
What are the symptoms of a rotator cuff tear?
Rotator cuff tear symptoms may depend on whether you have an acute tear or degenerative tear. With an acute rotator cuff tear, you may develop sudden and severe pain in your shoulder immediately following your injury.
With a degenerative rotator cuff tear, your initial pain may be mild and worsen during activity. Over time, your shoulder pain may become more severe and even happen when your arm is at rest.
In addition to shoulder pain, you may experience weakness or a crackling sensation when lifting or rotating your arm.
What happens during a rotator cuff tear consultation?
When you see the orthopedic surgeons at ROC Orthopedics for a rotator cuff tear consultation, they conduct an in-depth clinical exam to determine the best treatment.
During your exam, they review your symptoms and medical history, then examine your shoulder to look for other conditions that might explain your symptoms. Your provider may also request X-rays or an MRI to confirm your rotator cuff tear.
How is a rotator cuff tear treated?
Your orthopedic surgeon develops a personalized treatment plan for your rotator cuff tear. Treatment focuses on alleviating your pain and restoring shoulder movement and function.
Most rotator cuff tears improve without surgery. Non-surgical treatments may include:
- Rest
- Activity modification
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication
- Physical therapy
- Steroid injection
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
If non-surgical treatments fail to alleviate your pain, your orthopedic surgeon may recommend surgery. The experts at ROC Orthopedics use minimally invasive techniques to reattach the torn tendons to limit tissue damage and ensure a faster recovery.
To schedule your rotator cuff tear consultation with the shoulder specialists at ROC Orthopedics, call the office or book an appointment online today.
