Rotator cuff tear is common mainly among athletes involved in tennis, baseball, or other throwing activities. Although some mild cases can go away with rest and physical therapy, some require advanced treatments like injections and surgery. The rotator cuff tear West Chester specialists agree that it is essential to seek medical assistance anytime you suffer a rotator cuff tear to understand the severity of your injury and the proper treatment alternative best suited for you. You surely want to recover faster and get back to your favorite activity. The secret is working hand in hand with your doctor to speed your recovery. Here is what you can do when you suffer a rotator cuff tear.
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Make an Appointment with Your Doctor
Indeed, rest can alleviate some rotator cuff tear symptoms and get you back on your feet. But you ought to ensure it is the right step for your condition. No matter how mild or minor you think your injury is, it is highly advisable to book a doctor’s appointment first. Your doctor is trained to assess the level of tear you have experienced and advise you accordingly. They can advise you to take conservative measures for mild cases such as physical therapy and rest or recommend advanced treatments like steroid injections and surgery.
Rest Your Shoulder
Rest is critical to allow your shoulder to heal. You must take some time off your activity and avoid anything involving rapid lifting or extending your arm. You can use a sling to ensure your arm hangs naturally and rest the arm as long as your doctor recommends. You can apply ice as you sleep on your shoulder or over-the-counter medications to minimize pain. When using ice, please avoid using the ice directly on your skin. Instead, wrap it with a towel placing it for about 20 minutes at about 30 minutes intervals.
Attend Physical Therapy
Your doctor can recommend physical therapy as part of your rotator cuff tear treatment. Find a highly trained physical therapist you can trust and collaborate with in strengthening your shoulder to improve mobility. Physical therapy can be part of conservative measures for your situation or piece of recovery after surgery. Your doctor can recommend a qualified therapist, or you or you can ask for references from your friends.
Ask About Steroid Injections
You can consult your doctor about cortisone injections if you are experiencing chronic pain, inflammation, or mobility issues. But not all patients benefit from steroid injections. Therefore, ensure you discuss with your doctor the option to find out if it can help you return to your normal levels of mobility. Also, the injections only offer short-term relief, and you might need an additional injection in the future.
Discuss Rotator Cuff Surgery
You can talk to your doctor about surgery if you experience chronic pain or weakness even after conservative measures. Discuss your situation to find out if you meet the criteria for rotator cuff surgery and understand what you can expect for your treatment. You might benefit from arthroscopic surgery that uses small incisions guided by a small camera when you have partial tears, or you can gain from open surgery to repair bone or tendon when you have complete tears.
Tal to the rotator cuff tear specialists at Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine if you have painful symptoms in your shoulder. You can book a consultation appointment to understand the severity of your situation and evaluate your options for finding relief and restoring your shoulder function and mobility.