Rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons around the shoulder that help stabilize the joint. The rotator cuff has a role to play when someone lifts his/her arm and rotates the shoulder. If an injury affects the rotator cuff these movements will get affected. A rotator cuff tear is a condition in which the muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint get injured. This is often a result of progressive wear & tear of the tendons. Being a painful condition, a rotator cuff tear limits the movement of the shoulder joint. Several treatments for this condition are there depending on the severity of the injury. Severe cases often need surgical treatment where different types of Ortho Surgical Implants are required. Here, we are going to discuss some of the best treatments for the condition.
Treatments for Rotator Cuff Tear
Both non-surgical and surgical treatments for rotator cuff tears are there. Let us have a look at both one by one:
Non-Surgical Treatment
Mild to moderate cases of rotator cuff tear can be managed with conservative non-surgical treatments. They include:
Steroid Injections
Steroid injections are applied directly to the affected shoulder to provide instant relief from the condition. Injections are generally applied when medications are ineffective, or pain is so severe that it affects routine lives. But steroid injections cannot be given too often because they can make your tendons weak.
Heat/Cold Therapy
Applying heat or ice packs on the affected shoulder can speed up healing and help relieve pain & inflammation. If we talk about heat therapy, then it works by increasing the blood flow to the affected area. Whereas the application of ice packs can relieve swelling.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is the best form of medicine that sometimes can even eliminate the requirement for surgery. Physical therapy aims at improving the strength and flexibility of the shoulder joint with targeted exercises. Some physiotherapy treatments include yoga, stretching, acupuncture, and other exercises.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
TENS is often used to relieve non-serious cases of rotator cuff injury. Here, electrodes are used to transfer controlled pulsed electric current to the injured rotator cuff. This stimulates the nerve endings that help relieve pain.
Surgical Treatment
Surgery is recommended when non-surgical methods don’t work, or the condition is severe enough to only require surgery.
Arthroscopic Tendon Repair
During this form of surgery, the surgeon makes a small incision on the injured rotator cuff and inserts an arthroscope having a tiny camera to have a clear view of the tear. Special instruments and implants are then used to repair the torn tendon.
Open Tendon Repair
During open surgery, the surgeon makes a large incision on the injured shoulder to access the affected region. The torn tendon is then repaired using orthopedic instruments and the incision is then closed. When compared to arthroscopy, open surgery requires much more time for recovery.
Bone Spur Removal
Sometimes, bone overgrowth in the shoulder irritates the rotator cuff while causing pain and interfering with shoulder movement. In such cases, removing bone spurs through surgery is important.
Shoulder Replacement
If injury to the rotator cuff is a major one and no other treatment can provide relief, shoulder replacement in such cases is recommended. Reverse shoulder arthroplasty is performed in such cases. This enhances joint stability and improves its functions.
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