Rotator Cuff Injuries: Treatment options

Non-surgical treatment

With relatively minor tears the symptoms may settle with with some rest and avoidance of overhead and repetitive activities. Painkillers will help reduce your discomfort. Ice and anti-inflammatory medication will also help reduce the swelling and any pain caused by the swelling. An injection of steroid around the tendon may also help to settle the inflammation.

Physiotherapy
Your team of physiotherapists will create a programme of exercises designed to build the muscles in the rotator cuff. Additional muscle strength will help you to support your shoulder while your symptoms settle. . If one tendon is torn, the remaining three can compensate for it, maintaining much of your shoulder's motion and strength.

Injections
Some anti-inflammatory medications, such as steroids, are best administered directly to the site of the inflammation with an injection.

Surgical treatment

If your shoulder does not respond to rest and physiotherapy, or if the tear is large, you may need surgery. Mr. Cole will advise you on what type of treatment would best suit you and your situation. This may be an arthroscopic procedure (camera keyhole surgery), open surgery, or occasionally a combination of the two.

Surgical rotator cuff repair involves removing scar tissue and stitching the torn tendon or reattaching it to the bone. Surgery is only possible if the tendon has not retracted beyond a certain point. The scale of the repair will vary according to the type and amount of damage to the tendon. Mr. Cole will discuss your surgery with you.

Exercises
Following your surgery, your team of physiotherapists will work with you to devise an exercise programme. This will be designed with advice from Mr. Cole to help you recover as quickly and efficiently as possible.