Rotator cuff tears are a common problem. Studies have shown that 30% of those under the age of 70 and 70% of those over age 80 have a rotator cuff tear.And most do not have symptoms of shoulder pain or loss of shoulder and arm function.
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Physical therapy is often recommended as an initial treatment forrotator cuff pain. However, physical therapy doesn’t help the torn rotator cuff tendon heal. So why is this often used as the first treatment?
Treatment of a Rotator Cuff Tear
Physical Therapy
The goal of physical therapy is to improve the function of the muscles that surround the shoulder. Most people, athletes, and weight-lifters included, only strengthen a few of the large muscles around the shoulder. Physical therapy targets the smaller, but important, muscles around the shoulder that are commonly neglected. By strengthening these muscles, therapy can help compensate for damaged tendons and improve the mechanics of the shoulder joint.
Be sure you consult your healthcare provider or physical therapist before starting these, or any other, exercises for your rotator cuff tear.
Performing the exercises correctly is of utmost importance to prevent further pain or problems with your shoulders. Plus, you should do exercises that are safe for your condition. While general exercises are great, specific and focused exercises can help you quickly get back to your normal shoulder function.
The Anatomy of the Rotator Cuff
A Word From Verywell
A rotator cuff tear does not necessarily need to close for the pain to be resolved. And in the vast majority of cases, a rotator cuff tear will not need surgical treatment. Determiningwhen surgery is necessaryfor a rotator cuff tear depends on a number of factors, which you can discuss with your healthcare provider.
When Not to Have Rotator Cuff Surgery
1 SourceVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Geary MB, Elfar JC.Rotator cuff tears in the elderly patients.Geriatr Orthop Surg Rehabil. 2015;6(3):220-4. doi:10.1177/2151458515583895Additional ReadingIannotti, JP “Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears: Factors Affecting Surgical Outcome.“Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Mar 1994; 2: 87-95.
1 Source
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Geary MB, Elfar JC.Rotator cuff tears in the elderly patients.Geriatr Orthop Surg Rehabil. 2015;6(3):220-4. doi:10.1177/2151458515583895Additional ReadingIannotti, JP “Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears: Factors Affecting Surgical Outcome.“Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Mar 1994; 2: 87-95.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Geary MB, Elfar JC.Rotator cuff tears in the elderly patients.Geriatr Orthop Surg Rehabil. 2015;6(3):220-4. doi:10.1177/2151458515583895
Iannotti, JP “Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears: Factors Affecting Surgical Outcome.“Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Mar 1994; 2: 87-95.
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