The main aim of any treatment is to lessen the pain and make that body part work better again. Dr Siddharth Aggarwal will make a plan based on the patient's age, health, their activity level, and the type of tear. Doctors usually start with rotator cuff tear treatment
that do not involve surgery, but if those don't work, they may consider surgery.
Your rotator cuff is a vital part of your shoulder. It is made up of muscles and tendons that help keep the top part of your upper arm bone snugly in place in your shoulder. When you move your arm, the rotator cuff helps keep your shoulder steady and stable.
A rotator cuff injury happens when there's damage to the muscles and tendons in your shoulder. This can make your shoulder hurt and make it hard to move your arm. The rotator cuff helps you lift and move your arms. It keeps the ball part of your upper arm bone in place in your shoulder.
Think of your shoulder like a golf ball on a tee. The rotator cuff tears happen when the tendons pull away from your arm bone. This can be because of doing the same movement over and over or from getting hurt another way.
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Cause of Rotator Cuff Injury |
Description |
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Sudden trauma |
Injury caused by a sudden fall, lifting heavy objects, or a rapid twisting motion in the shoulder. |
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Degenerative process |
Slow wearing down of the tendon over time, often associated with aging. |
|
Repetitive motions |
Continuous and repetitive movements, such as those in certain sports or occupations. |
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Lack of blood supply |
Reduced blood flow to the rotator cuff tendons due to aging, hindering natural repair processes. |
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Bone spurs |
Overgrowth of bones, particularly common with aging, leading to spurs that rub against shoulder tendons. |
|
Shoulder Impingement |
Resulting from bone spurs rubbing on shoulder tendons, causing irritation and inflammation. |
When you injure your rotator cuff, it might not always hurt. But if it does, the pain usually happens in the top part of your arm or shoulder. You might feel more pain when you:
Some of the other signs of a rotator cuff injury can include:
Rotator cuff tear treatment usually includes a combination of rest, physical therapy, and, in some cases, surgery. At the initial stage doctors will recommend taking rest and modification in the activities of day to day life to alleviate the symptoms. Physical therapy would be recommended to strengthen the muscles of your shoulder. This will also help to improve flexibility. To manage the pains a doctor might recommend some medications or injections. Even after rest and physical therapy if a patient doesn’t get relief, then a doctor might go for surgical repair options. The surgical method aims to reattach the torn tendon to the bone. The treatment choice depends on several factors like tear severity and the individual's health. Consulting Dr. Siddharth Aggarwal will help determine the most suitable treatment plan according to the specific conditions of individual patients.
To determine if you have a torn rotator cuff, our doctor will begin by asking about the injury and examining your shoulder. During the examination, he will assess your ability to move your shoulder and the strength of your muscles. Dr. Aggarwal will also observe which movements cause pain in your shoulder. As per the diagnosis he will suggest the treatment that best suits the patient’s condition.
Additionally, doctor may use one of the following methods for proper diagnosis:
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Rotator Cuff Tear Diagnosis |
Description |
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MRI |
Uses radio waves and a powerful magnet to produce detailed images of your shoulder, helping to identify the extent of the tear. |
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X-rays |
X-rays are used to see if the top of your arm bone is pressing into the space of your rotator cuff, which may indicate a tear. |
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Ultrasound |
This method visualizes the soft tissues in your shoulder, including tendons, muscles, and bursas, helping to confirm the presence of a tear. |
We will discuss the rotator cuff tear treatment process in detail now.
There are two types of methods that are used for treatment of rotator cuff tear:
Non-surgical methods of rotator cuff tear treatment are recommended for small tears or tears that cannot be repaired. Strengthening the muscles around the shoulder can improve comfort and function in some cases.
Rest: Rest and avoiding overhead activities, sometimes using a sling to keep the shoulder still. This is the most common rotator cuff injury treatment method that is suggested to the patients with minor problems.
Activity Modification: Avoiding certain actions and activities to prevent shoulder pain.
Anti-Inflammatory Medication: Medicines like Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, or Naproxen to reduce pain and swelling.
Physical Therapy: Exercises to strengthen shoulder muscles, restore movement, and improve flexibility and range of motion.
Steroid Treatment: Injections of a local anesthetic and cortisone if rest, medication, and exercises don't help.
Stem Cell Treatment: Stem cells harvested from one area and injected into the damaged area to aid natural healing.
Note:
These non-surgical treatment methods have downsides:
It is therefore advisable to have a word with Dr. Siddharth Aggarwal and know the exact type of treatment methods that are suitable for the patient as per their conditions.
When the non-surgical treatments do not relieve ongoing pain, then a doctor can suggest surgery. The main goal of surgery is to reattach the tendon to the upper arm bone. There are two main surgical options:
A strong rotator cuff makes it easy to move your arms, but it can get damaged from too much strain, getting older, or accidents. Luckily, experienced doctors can treat these injuries well. If you see the right doctor as soon as you feel pain, you might not need surgery. The best doctor in Punjab for Rotator Cuff tear treatment suggests resting, using ice, and doing physical therapy to heal rotator cuff damage.
If the pain or injury is serious, you might need rotator cuff tear surgery in Punjab. For the best treatment, you can consult Dr. Siddharth Aggarwal, one of the top orthopedic doctors. He specializes in sports injuries and arthroscopic surgeries for shoulders, knees, and ankles.
Dr. Siddharth Aggarwal is well-known for arthroscopy and sports surgeries, including knee surgeries like meniscal repairs, ACL & PCL reconstructions, and cartilage surgeries. He also has years of experience in shoulder reconstructions, including bank arts repair and rotator cuff repairs.
There is nothing called best treatment for any particular injury. The treatment type depends on the seriousness of the rotator cuff injury. Depending upon the condition doctors can recommend either non-surgical or surgical methods. The best treatment for rotator cuff injury can be availed if the patient follows instructions of the best and experienced doctors like Dr. Siddharth Aggarwal.
The top 3 warning signs of a rotator cuff tear includes:
Yes! If the rotator cuff tear or shoulder cuff injury is left untreated then it can be serious. Without treatment at the right time by an experienced doctor a patient could experience permanent loss of movement or weakness in the shoulder.
To help your body heal after an injury or surgery, you should eat foods with protein, healthy fats (like those found in nuts and avocados), and carbohydrates. Good food choices include fruits, vegetables, pasta, bread, chicken, eggs, and fish. You can also boost your protein intake by having a protein drink with your meals.
To lower your chance of getting a rotator cuff tear, you can do exercises to make your shoulders stronger. You should work on both the front muscles of your chest, shoulder, and upper arm, as well as the back of your shoulder. This helps keep your muscles in balance. Talk to your doctor for exercise suggestions to strengthen your shoulder area.
Signs that surgery is needed for rotator cuff injury treatment include: