| Many people suffering with rotator cuff injuries will be | | | | recovering successfully. |
| relieved to hear that not all treatment requires surgery. | | | | More extensive treatment, including surgery, may be |
| Unfortunately, however, severe injuries can only be | | | | required for patients who experience extreme pain in |
| repaired through surgery. Many factors determine the | | | | their shoulders, arms, and elbows. Constant pain and |
| need for surgical versus non-surgical rotator cuff | | | | difficulty in performing basic activities may be an |
| treatments. Whether surgery is needed is determined | | | | indication that the rotator cuff tear is very large. In |
| by a doctor who must look at all those factors. | | | | these cases, rotator cuff surgery may be necessary, |
| A patient with an injured rotator tendon is typically | | | | especially when the pain interferes with normal daily |
| treated first with non-surgical treatments, such as | | | | activities. |
| injection of anti-inflammatory medications or steroids, | | | | If non-surgical treatment options have not been |
| exercise, physical therapy, or cortisone injections. | | | | successful, surgery may be the only option. Your |
| Most shoulder injuries can be successfully treated | | | | doctor is your best source of information in making the |
| through these methods and also by ensuring complete | | | | decision of whether or not to have surgery. It is |
| rest and a balanced therapy routine. | | | | necessary to be aware of both the potential benefits |
| If the non-surgical options are not successful in treating | | | | and the potential risks of having surgery. Not all rotator |
| the tear, then surgery will most like be considered. | | | | cuff tears are the same and the type of surgeries |
| Rotator cuff surgeries vary from minor to major, | | | | vary as well, so it is important to be well-informed. |
| depending on the severity of the injury. | | | | The recovery process following this surgery will |
| One factor that influences a decision regarding | | | | typically last six to 12 months, so a potential patient |
| whether or not rotator cuff surgery is necessary is the | | | | should plan ahead and be prepared to spend that |
| degree of the symptoms experienced by the patient. If | | | | amount of time recovering. How well you prepare your |
| a person's symptoms are minimal, doctors will generally | | | | body for the trauma can help to determine how well |
| focus on treating it with non-surgical methods. | | | | you will recover afterward. Your level of strength |
| A small rotator cuff tear can be monitored by a | | | | before the surgery will greatly affect how well you are |
| doctor to determine if it is getting worse over time or if | | | | able to cope with the recovery process. |
| it can be successfully treated using non-surgical | | | | Physical therapy will typically begin immediately after |
| methods. Small tears can usually be alleviated through | | | | surgery. The physical therapy routine will start gradually |
| treatments such as physical therapy. If the tears are | | | | and then become more intense. After repairing the |
| large, however, earlier intervention is necessary as | | | | tear, it is important to take time and follow the |
| these larger tears can lead to a shortened tendon and | | | | instructions for a proper recovery. Rest is very |
| a weakening of the muscle. Early surgery for large | | | | important after rotator cuff surgery; it may take time, |
| rotator cuff tears may result in a higher chance of | | | | but the results will be well worth it. |