The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that are located around the shoulder joint. Their purpose is to keep the upper arm bone firmly placed in the socket of the shoulder.
A rotator cuff can get worn out, injured or torn causing pain in the shoulder area. With a damaged rotator cuff, it is usually impossible to raise your up and away from your side by yourself. Most rotator cuff tears create a dull -- but constant -- pain in the shoulder. It is also difficult to sleep on the side of the rotator cuff injury because that causes more pain.
Sometimes rotator cuff injuries will heal themselves with icing and rest of the shoulder. Anti-inflammatory medicine can also help to reduce pain and swelling. If you are suffering from pain due to a rotator cuff tear or injury, avoid sleeping on the affected side until you no longer experience pain. It can take up to six months to completely heal from a rotator cuff injury on its own. Be patient and rest for that amount of time. If you still feel intense pain, you may need surgery.
In 60% of the cases, shoulder surgery is necessary to heal and rotator cuff injury. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is a minimally-invasive procedure used by Ortho El Paso orthopedic surgeons to reattach tendon tears. The procedure typically means a quicker recovery time with less inflammation, discomfort and scarring than open surgery. For larger tears or more severe injuries, open rotator cuff surgery may be necessary. Deciding which procedure is best should be left up to the orthopaedic specialist.
Rehabilitating the shoulder after surgery plays a critical role in getting your shoulder back to good health and you back to your regular activities. A physical therapy program following shoulder surgery is usually prescribed to help you regain strength and range of motion.
If you are losing sleep due to shoulder pain, call The Shoulder Center at Ortho El Paso for a consultation at 915-249-4000. Learn more about us here: http://www.orthoep.com/the-shoulder-center.html
A rotator cuff can get worn out, injured or torn causing pain in the shoulder area. With a damaged rotator cuff, it is usually impossible to raise your up and away from your side by yourself. Most rotator cuff tears create a dull -- but constant -- pain in the shoulder. It is also difficult to sleep on the side of the rotator cuff injury because that causes more pain.
Sometimes rotator cuff injuries will heal themselves with icing and rest of the shoulder. Anti-inflammatory medicine can also help to reduce pain and swelling. If you are suffering from pain due to a rotator cuff tear or injury, avoid sleeping on the affected side until you no longer experience pain. It can take up to six months to completely heal from a rotator cuff injury on its own. Be patient and rest for that amount of time. If you still feel intense pain, you may need surgery.
In 60% of the cases, shoulder surgery is necessary to heal and rotator cuff injury. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is a minimally-invasive procedure used by Ortho El Paso orthopedic surgeons to reattach tendon tears. The procedure typically means a quicker recovery time with less inflammation, discomfort and scarring than open surgery. For larger tears or more severe injuries, open rotator cuff surgery may be necessary. Deciding which procedure is best should be left up to the orthopaedic specialist.
Rehabilitating the shoulder after surgery plays a critical role in getting your shoulder back to good health and you back to your regular activities. A physical therapy program following shoulder surgery is usually prescribed to help you regain strength and range of motion.
If you are losing sleep due to shoulder pain, call The Shoulder Center at Ortho El Paso for a consultation at 915-249-4000. Learn more about us here: http://www.orthoep.com/the-shoulder-center.html
