Treatments for Rotator Cuff Injuries

Rotator cuff injuries can be a very serious thing; if left untreated, weakness in the shoulder and limited movement of your arm can occur. This could be a problem for people like athletes, and people who do physical labor for a living. Doctors advise taking specific steps to heal the injury as soon as possible.

One of the first steps that should be taken is to keep moving your arm carefully, but don’t keep it still for this may cause your joints to stiffen. ..

The second step you are advised to take is to take anti-inflammatory drugs, such drugs as Ibuprofen and aspirin which will reduce the swelling, ease inflammation, and relieve pain.

Do not attempt to perform any activities that are painful or uncomfortable. This includes reaching back or up, like you do when you brush your hair.

Physical therapy will probably also be recommended for rotator cuff injuries. In physical therapy, a specialist will show you the proper exercises to strengthen and heal the damaged tissue in the arm. The seriousness of rotator cuff injuries determines the length of time it takes for the injury to heal. Several weeks to several months may be necessary. Each case is individual.

Another way that you can help with the rotator cuff injuries is steroids. Your doctor will administer the shot right to your rotator cuff. The swelling and inflammation will be reduced with these steroid injections, making time for the physical therapy to work and bring back the strength of your arm without painful swelling. Reducing the swelling is the only thing the steroids will do it will not repair any part of the injury.

Failing all other types of treatment, your doctor may recommend surgery. Surgery is also dependent on several factors. These factors include age and health of the patient and condition of the fibers and tendons in the shoulder. Frayed and torn fibers and tendons do not make good candidates for surgery.

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