Shoulder pain is a common problem. Often, shoulder pain is related to an injury like a rotator cuff tear. If you’re suffering from painful symptoms, could it be a rotator cuff problem? And does it need medical treatment to get better?
The team at LA Orthopaedic Specialists in downtown Los Angeles, California, provide expert shoulder care to new and existing patients. We use minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to treat rotator cuff tears.
What do you need to know about rotator cuff tears? Will this type of injury get better on its own? At LA Orthopaedic Specialists, we have the answers you need.
Understanding rotator cuff tears
Rotator cuff tears are among the most common shoulder injuries. This type of injury occurs because of trauma or wear-and-tear and degeneration over time. Rotator cuff tears can be an overuse issue and may be related to sports. If you have bone spurs in your shoulder joint, those can also result in a rotator cuff tear.
The rotator cuff connects your upper arm bone, or humerus, to your shoulder joint. You rely on your rotator cuff to hold your shoulder joint together, keeping the joint’s ball-and-socket structure connected and intact. This group of muscles and tendons works to create the ability to lift and move your arms.
When you injure your rotator cuff, you’re likely to feel symptoms, including pain, especially when raising your arm, a deep ache in your shoulder joint, and weakness or dysfunction in your shoulder.
These symptoms make daily life difficult. You might find yourself struggling to reach objects on high shelves or comb your own hair. Exercise could become nearly impossible. Pain in your shoulder could also seriously interfere with your ability to sleep at night.
Repairing a torn rotator cuff
The truth is that, although some extremely minor rotator cuff injuries can heal on their own, most rotator cuff tears need medical treatment to improve.
At LA Orthopaedic Specialists, our providers can recommend a treatment plan to help you heal. We start by evaluating the severity of your injury. We also discuss your future activity goals with you. Your treatment is most likely to be effective if you start right away after a rotator cuff tear.
Conservative treatment options for rotator cuff injuries include rest, modifying activities, physical therapy, and supporting the affected joint with a sling. Many patients see sufficient symptom improvement and shoulder stabilization without needing surgery. Anti-inflammatory and pain relief medications can also be helpful.
However, in case of a more severe tear, or if you want to return to intense activity levels after treatment, surgery might be the best way to treat your torn rotator cuff. If you do need surgery, the LA Orthopaedic Specialists use minimally invasive techniques to minimize your risks and recovery time.
If you have symptoms like shoulder pain and weakness, or if you’ve recently injured your shoulder, contact LA Orthopaedic Specialists now for evaluation and customized treatment. The longer you delay, the more you risk long-term issues with your affected shoulder joint.
Schedule your appointment online or over the phone today.