Medication
Surgical techniques that may be used to repair a tear of the rotator cuff include arthroscopy, open surgery, or a combination of both. The goal of rotator cuff repair surgery is to help restore the function and flexibility of the shoulder and to relieve the pain that can’t be controlled by other treatments.
Procedures
Rotator Cuff Tears, Injuries and Treatments 1 Symptoms. Symptoms of rotator cuff tendonitis or tear include pain in the front and/or down... 2 Diagnosis. Diagnosis of rotator cuff injury is made through careful history and physical exam. 3 Treatments. Rotator cuff tendonitis may be treated with rest, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs...
Therapy
Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your rotator cuff injury-related health concerns Start Here Conservative treatments — such as rest, ice and physical therapy — sometimes are all that's needed to recover from a rotator cuff injury. If your injury is severe, you might need surgery.
Self-care
An injury to the rotator cuff, such as a tear, may happen suddenly when falling on an outstretched hand or develop over time due to repetitive activities. Rotator cuff degeneration and tears may also be caused by aging.
Nutrition
How is a torn rotator cuff repaired?
What are the symptoms of a rotator cuff injury and treatment?
How can the Mayo Clinic help with my rotator cuff injury?
What causes a rotator cuff injury?
Can a torn rotator cuff heal on its own?
Rotator cuff tears do not heal on their own without surgery, but many patients can improve functionally and decrease pain with nonsurgical treatment by strengthening their shoulder muscles.
What is the best treatment for rotator cuff injury?
Conservative treatments — such as rest, ice and physical therapy — sometimes are all that's needed to recover from a rotator cuff injury. If your injury is severe, you might need surgery.
How long does it take for a torn rotator cuff to heal without surgery?
Usually, mild rotator cuff tears or sprains will heal within four weeks. In other severe cases, the recovery might take 4 to 6 months or even longer based on several factors such as the severity of the tear, age, and other health complications.
How long does it take to heal a rotator cuff injury?
Rotator cuff treatment The minimum time for recovery from rotator cuff tendonitis or a small tear is generally two to four weeks, and stubborn cases can take several months. Early on, the aim is to reduce swelling and inflammation of the tendons and relieve compression in the subacromial space.
How do doctors diagnose a torn rotator cuff?
A doctor might request one of several imaging tests to diagnosis your torn rotator's cuff such as an x-ray, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). X-rays won't show a torn rotator cuff but can rule out other causes of pain, such as bone spurs.
Should you massage a rotator cuff injury?
Massage therapy is a great option for rotator cuff injuries because it helps to decrease inflammation and pain in the area, release scar tissue, loosen tight and tense muscles and increase range of motion in the shoulder girdle.
How painful is a torn rotator cuff?
Rotator cuff injuries often result in a dull ache that can be felt deep in the shoulder. It can occur due to specific movements, such as lifting or lowering the arm. Some people experience discomfort during rest as well. Sleeping is often disturbed by pain, especially when lying on the affected shoulder.
What percentage of rotator cuff tears require surgery?
In cases of deep partial tears — when more than 90 percent of the tendon is torn — surgery is recommended only if the symptoms can't be controlled with nonsurgical treatments.
What happens if rotator cuff is not repaired?
Without any treatment—either rest and rehabilitation or surgery—rotator cuff disorders may get worse. Over time, you may have more pain. You may lose range of motion and strength in your shoulder, making it harder to do your daily activities.
Is there an alternative to rotator cuff surgery?
Rotator cuff tears are treated without surgery in these ways: Undergoing physical or occupational therapy. A skilled therapist assists you with a variety of exercises and stretches to strengthen your shoulder muscles. Taking oral medicines.
Will rotator cuff pain go away?
Usually, a specific traumatic rotator cuff will heal in 2 to 4 weeks. But if it is a severe injury, or it is a chronic injury from wear, it may require months to improve. If the pain is getting in the way of your daily life or you injure yourself again, your doctor might suggest: Steroids.
What is the surgery for a torn rotator cuff?
To repair a torn rotator cuff, an orthopedic surgeon reattaches the tendon to the humerus (upper arm bone) using an absorbable suture anchor. The s...
How is rotator cuff surgery performed?
Rotator cuff surgery is performed arthroscopically. In a shoulder arthroscopy, small incisions are made and an arthroscope − a small tube fixed wit...
When is rotator cuff surgery recommended?
Surgery is recommended for a full thickness tear, or in those patients with a partial thickness tear who have failed conservative treatment (two mo...
Is there an alternative to rotator cuff surgery?
Small or partial rotator cuff tears may be treated with two months of physical therapy.
Do you need surgery for partial rotator cuff tears?
If physical therapy has not effectively restored strength and function, then surgery is the only option. Nonsurgical improvement is considered effe...
What is the risk of waiting to have rotator cuff surgery?
Tears tend to get larger with time. The results of repairing large or massive tears are not as good as repairing smaller tears, Delaying surgery in...
How do you select a doctor for rotator cuff surgery?
It is important to select an orthopedic surgeon who has experience repairing rotator cuff tears, preferably one who completed a fellowship in sport...
Is rotator cuff surgery done outpatient?
Yes. The surgery takes less than a half hour, and the patient is placed in a sling and can return home on the day of surgery.
How long does it take to recover from rotator cuff surgery?
It takes six to eight weeks for the tendon to heal to the bone. Complete recovery time varies by size of the tear. For a small tears, full recovery...
How many weeks of physical therapy do you need for rotator cuff surgery?
Generally, a patient wears a sling for the first two to three weeks and begins physical therapy one week after surgery. The physical therapy progra...