Rotator cuff tears are a common problem.
Physical therapy is often recommended as an initial treatment forrotator cuff pain.
However, physical therapy doesn’t help the torn rotator cuff tendon heal.
Tetra Images / Getty Images
So why is this often used as the first treatment?
People can often achieve pain relief and improved strength by relieving inflammation and restoring shoulder joint mechanics.
This can be accomplished withphysical therapyand anti-inflammatory treatments, including medications, cortisone injections, andice tool.
Physical therapy targets the smaller, but important, muscles around the shoulder that are commonly neglected.
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.
And in the vast majority of cases, a rotator cuff tear will not need surgical treatment.
Geary MB, Elfar JC.Rotator cuff tears in the elderly patients.Geriatr Orthop Surg Rehabil.
“Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Mar 1994; 2: 87-95.
