All rotator cuff tears don’t require surgery to heal. This is because most people with a tear in the rotator cuff have no problem with their shoulder. Even though a torn rotator cuff causes shoulder pain, you can recover without surgery. So what is a rotator cuff? What causes the rotator cuff to tear? What is rotator cuff surgery? When should rotator cuff surgery not be performed? Let’s dig in.
What is a rotator cuff?
A rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons surrounding the ball and socket on your shoulder. The rotator cuff increases the stability of your shoulder and makes it easier for you to lift or rotate your arm.
Rotator cuff problems are present in inflammation, tendinitis, or partial or complete tendon rupture. The first symptom of the rotator cuff problem is shoulder pain. After that, symptoms are limited to joint motion and muscle weakness. When you see your doctor, you will be examined with imaging tests such as MRI, X-ray, and ultrasound. The image shows the degree of damage to the rotator cuff.
What causes a rotator cuff tear?
As you get older, you tend to tear your cuffs. This occurs as part of the ageing process. The chances of a rotator cuff tear increase with age. It’s also more likely to occur in the dominant arm or hand with a shoulder injury. Although there are various reasons why people develop this condition, ageing seems to be the main reason.
What is rotator cuff surgery?
During rotator cuff surgery, the injured rotator cuff is usually cut, and the severed tendon is reconnected to the bone of the upper arm (humerus). This includes anchors that are drilled into the bone. The anchor attaches the tendon to the bone. The procedure can be done through a large (open) incision or shoulder arthroscopy using a small camera to r
eveal the joint tendon and rotator cuff.
When should I see a doctor for a torn rotator cuff?
If you have a shoulder injury or have severe pain in your shoulder and arm, it’s best to contact your shoulder surgeon. Your doctor will make an in-depth diagnosis before helping you choose a treatment plan. You may also need to have diagnostic imaging tests, such as an ultrasound or an MRI, to confirm the diagnosis.
A visit to the doctor for early diagnosis and treatment is very important. This helps prevent severe weakness and loss of motion in the affected shoulder.
Do I need to have rotator cuff surgery?
The recommended treatment for a cuff tear depends on the type of injury and the patient’s age. Many tears occur in people who don’t experience the pain symptoms usually associated with tears.
Is rotator cuff surgery useful in such cases? The answer is no. There is no need to undergo surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff. Effective nonsurgical treatments include:
- Steroid injections
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
- physical therapy
The main purpose of this treatment plan is to relieve pain and improve shoulder muscle strength.
When is surgery required?
There are a few exceptions, and some people with a rotator cuff tear may get better with surgery right away. They tend to include younger patients who have recently had an acute shoulder injury. In these people, the rotator cuff tear is abnormal and is not the main result of the ageing process.
Rotary cuff surgery can be a great choice for shoulder pain caused by cuff tears. However, tearing the rotator cuff alone is not an excuse for surgery. Deciding when to have surgery is complex and depends on several factors you should discuss with your doctor.
Conclusion:
Most rotator cuff tears never require a medical procedure, and numerous individuals can get alleviation through non-surgical therapy. Patients who are told they need rotator cuff surgery need to understand the reason for the surgery. Contact Dr Chandra Shekar at 9959588389 to schedule a consultation and find out if you are a candidate. Act now, before the tearing pain gets worse.
