| Rotator cuff repair rehabilitation has come a long way | | | | Most cuff injuries, including some tears can improve |
| in recent years and there is much you can learn about | | | | without the need for surgery. In some cases a person |
| it. If you have a rotator cuff injury or are considering | | | | can function almost normally with a tear in the cuff |
| surgery this article will discuss the rehab process and | | | | once the pain subsides. A typical preoperative course |
| what you need to know to make an informed decision | | | | of conservative treatment will last 4 to 6 weeks. In |
| about your healthcare alternatives. | | | | that time the focus will be on restoring range of motion, |
| The rehabilitation process for a tear in this muscle | | | | reducing pain and improving functional strength of the |
| group consists of many phases and stages. Whether | | | | shoulder. |
| or not you have surgery the rehab process begins | | | | The cornerstone of rotator cuff repair rehabilitation |
| long before that. It will usually continue, either in a clinical | | | | preoperatively is exercises. These consist of very |
| setting or at home until you have returned to your | | | | specific exercises aimed at isolating the cuff muscles |
| normal level of activity whether that is sport, | | | | and shoulder blade stabilizers. The exercises are |
| occupation or simply normal activities of daily living. | | | | geared to your level of pain tolerance and strength |
| Rotator cuff repair rehabilitation contains many | | | | and are progressed accordingly as you improve. |
| variables. These include the extent of your injury, the | | | | There are several exercises that you will be instructed |
| overall condition of your shoulder, your age, the type of | | | | in to perform in the clinic as well as at home. |
| surgery that was performed and in some cases the | | | | The goal of rotator cuff repair rehabilitation |
| physician involved in your rehab. The recovery time | | | | preoperatively is to try and improve the shoulder |
| following an injury or a surgery to repair the injury will | | | | condition so surgery can be avoided. If the symptoms |
| also depend on the size of the tear of the muscle, | | | | do not improve and have interfered with your normal |
| preexisting conditions like arthritis or instability, your age, | | | | routine and activity level then you may have to |
| and the skill of the surgeon. | | | | undergo surgery. The preoperative therapy is not |
| If you have a tear it is more common to undergo | | | | wasted though. You will be that much farther ahead |
| conservative treatment such as physical therapy with | | | | after surgery as a result of the strengthening you did |
| an exercise program than to go right into surgery. | | | | before the surgery. |