How Should Someone Sleep With A Rotator Cuff Tear
Tendons are connective tissue that connects muscles to bones. When tendons become damaged or scarred due to overuse or injury, this can cause chronic pain that limits joint mobility and daily function. At Interventional Orthopedics of Atlanta, Dr. Christopher Williams works with patients throughout Atlanta, GA to help alleviate acute and chronic tendon pain through innovative treatment approaches. One treatment is a minimally invasive, ultrasound-guided procedure called TENEX that is used to treat common tendon injuries, including rotator cuff tears.
What Are The Different Types Of Rotator Cuff Injuries
Rotator cuff injuries range from mild to severe, and can be separated into three categories:
Rotator Cuff Injury Healing Time
The time it takes for a rotator cuff injury to heal depends on several different factors. A few of these include the severity of the tear, the treatment options you choose , your age, and whether you can properly rest the shoulder. Lets take a look at the most common healing times for different treatment options.
Also Check: How Long Does It Take To Heal Bruised Ribs
Common Conditions & Disorders
What causes problems with the rotator cuff?
Age, overuse and injury can lead to inflammation or tears in the rotator cuff tendons. Rotator cuff injuries can be degenerative . Or they may be acute .
What are common rotator cuff injuries?
Rotator cuff injuries are very common. The two most frequent injuries are:
Rotator cuff tendinitis often results from repetitive overhead motions such as throwing a ball, swimming or swinging a racket.
An acute injury such as falling or lifting something heavy can tear rotator cuff tendons. But in most cases, rotator cuff tears also occur gradually over time.
As we age, tendons thin out and wear down. Blood supply to the shoulder tendons also slows down. As a result, tiny tears dont repair themselves as effectively. Playing a sport or doing a job that requires repetitive overhead motions can also lead to tears over time.
How are rotator cuff conditions diagnosed?
Your provider will begin with a physical exam, including checking your range of motion. If your provider suspects you may have a rotator cuff injury, youll have imaging tests, such as X-ray, MRI or ultrasound.
How are rotator cuff conditions treated?
Treatment for rotator cuff tendonitis or a rotator cuff tear varies depending on the severity of your injury. Minor injuries may heal with simple, at-home care, such as:
- Avoiding activities that cause shoulder pain.
- Applying ice or heat.
- Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or other medications.
Can A Torn Rotator Cuff Heal On Its Own Without Surgery
Using the data from the studies above, it is safe to say that a few rotator cuff tears will heal on their own without intervention and that surgery really isnt that great of an option.
One of the problems with surgery is that when a rotator cuff tears on its own, or with minor trauma, the tissue has become very unhealthy. This is caused by the structure of the tendon becoming weak and degenerated. Based on new research, rotator cuff tears are linked to a reduction in the natural number of functional stem cells in the tissue . While this may come as a surprise that your body maintains itself via adult stem cells living in tissue, thats how it works.
For this reason, surgically sewing together a tear can be like sewing damaged tissue paper to damaged tissue paper, which is why we see very high re-tear rates after surgery . And unless something is done to replace the lack of stem cells needed for healing, the tissue cant repair itself with the same ability as when it was young. One recent study showed that the rotator cuff re-tear rates fell by half when stem cell injections were used after surgery .
Can You Skip Surgery by Using Your Own Stem Cells?
The upshot? In the structural paradigm of orthopedics we live in the question Can a torn rotator cuff heal on its own without surgery? is all too often answered by telling patients that their rotator cuff tears will get bigger over time if surgery isnt performed immediately.
_____________________________________________
Also Check: Essential Oils For Emotional Healing
Is Lifting Weights Good Or Bad For Shoulders
I tell patients I dont want you to restrict your activities just in case something might be bad for your shoulder. I dont think the human body is made to lift heavy weights. So, if youre bench pressing around 400 pounds, that might not be the best thing for your rotator cuffs. But I think moderate exercise with moderate weights and higher reps are all good things for your body.
The health benefits you get from working out and exercising outweigh the problems that might be caused by rotator cuff tears. Day-to-day things that you can do to protect your rotator cuffs are keeping your elbows close to your side when you pick up heavy objects. For example, if youre putting a heavy cooler on the back of the pickup truck, you dont want to keep your arms all the way out in front of you. Keep your elbows close to your side. When youre starting the lawnmower, pull it away where your elbow stays close to your body. Those things will help minimize stress and strain on the rotator cuff.
Is Surgery Ever Necessary For A Dislocated Shoulder
Usually no surgery is necessary, especially if the shoulder was dislocated for the first time. The doctor may determine that surgery is needed if bones or tendons are injured. If the shoulder is dislocated more than once, which is more common among young athletes, doctors might surgically repair or tighten ligaments that keep the arm bone connected to the shoulder blade.
Recommended Reading: Cindy Trimm Prayers For Healing
What Is Recovery Like After An Arthroscopic Procedure
Most people recover faster after arthroscopy than an open surgery that requires large incisions. Still, a full recovery can take months. But, depending on the procedure, you may be able to return to work within a few days.
Your healthcare provider may recommend physical therapy . PT can help speed recovery, strengthen muscles and prevent future injuries.
Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair
Arthroscopic repair is a minimally-invasive procedure. This is an outpatient treatment that goes well for partial tear injury.
Your orthopedic surgeon will make small incisions to allow the arthroscope inside your shoulder joint. This is so that your doctor has a view of the structures inside your joint.
Using other small instruments, your surgeon can repair your torn rotator cuff.
Also Check: How Long For Foot Fracture To Heal
How To Prepare For Rotator Cuff Surgery
Rotator cuff surgery is considered for healthy and motivated individuals in whom rotator cuff tears interferes with shoulder function.
Successful rotator cuff surgery depends on a partnership between the patient and the experienced shoulder surgeon. The patient’s motivation and dedication are important elements of the partnership.
Patients should optimize their health so that they will be in the best possible condition for this procedure. Smoking should be stopped a month before surgery and not resumed for at least three months afterwards–ideally never. This is because smoking interferes with the healing of the rotator cuff repair and the strength of the cuff tendon. Any heart, lung, kidney, bladder, tooth, or gum problems should be managed before surgery. Any infection may be a reason to delay the operation.
The patient’s shoulder surgeon needs to be aware of all health issues including allergies and non-prescription and prescription medications being taken. Some of these may need to be modified or stopped. For instance aspirin and anti-inflammatory medication may affect the way the blood clots.
How Does The Rotator Cuff Tear And How Do You Know Youve Sustained A Tear
Rotator cuff tears can happen at any age, but are more common as we get older.
As you shoulder moves, the rotator cuff keeps the humeral head of the shoulder depressed into the glenoid socket. If the humeral head does not stay within the glenoid socket, it will elevate and hit underneath the acromion, the outside part of the scapula, and result in impingement. Impingement leads to bursitis and tendinitis . This will ultimately result in partial then full-thickness rotator cuff tears. Clinically, people will start experiencing pain and weakness.
Athletes who play sports that require a lot of overhead activity are at a high risk for sustaining a rotator cuff tear. These tears can result from a single traumatic eventâsuch as a sudden fall on your shoulder or a collision with an object or another playerâor the tears can develop gradually because of repetitive overhead motions like pitching or throwing a ball.
One way to know that youâve sustained a tear is through the following test:
- Sit yourself comfortably in a chair.
- Bend your elbow 90 degrees.
- Tuck your elbow into your side.
- Have someone push your hand in towards your belly as you try to push out.
If you are unable to hold that position and/or feel pain while trying to keep your arm in that position, you may have sustained a rotator cuff tear and should schedule an appointment to get a consultation.
Also Check: Vagus Nerve How To Heal
Rotator Cuff Tears And Muscle Atrophy
This phenomenon can occur and involves the rotator cuff muscles shrinking and being replaced by fat. While there was a slight trend in that direction, no patient had serious fatty atrophy at follow-up. In addition, this study is consistent with another study that shows that the size of a rotator cuff tear is more likely than not to stay stable .
Primary Signs Of A Rotator Cuff Tear
Significant injuries like a tear in the rotator cuff are important to get treated. Knowing what to look out for when you experience shoulder pain can help you realize when it’s time to see a medical professional.
With a passion for innovative, evidence-based treatments along with preventive care,Dr. Jeremy Woodson and our expertteam welcome everyone men, women, and children to ouroffice in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. We provide top-notch care for a wide variety of orthopedic issues affecting elite athletes, weekend warriors, and everyday people, including joint issues,sports medicine injuries,shoulder problems like atorn rotator cuff, and more.
You May Like: How To Heal Mcl Tear Fast
What Is The Difference Between Rotator Cuff Tears And Frozen Shoulder
One of the I think most misdiagnosed things I see in my office is a frozen shoulder. A frozen shoulder is caused by thickening of the lining or the capsule of the shoulder. Its an inflammatory process. Inflammation causes a frozen shoulder. The inflammation that normally would go away in a couple weeks stays around, and it causes the lining to thicken up and scar.
Its extremely painful. You lose motion both actively and passively which means you cant raise your arm a certain amount and I, the physician, cant raise your arm a certain amount either. Its stuck.
The rotator cuff is different from the lining of the shoulder. Its the muscles and the tendons that surround the shoulder. Sometimes, the symptoms can overlap, but you typically dont get as stiff with rotator cuff injuries or tears as you do with a frozen shoulder.
What To Know About Your Rotator Cuff
Yourrotator cuff is a group of muscles that join into a tendon to form a cuff over the top of your upper arm bone . This bone is part of your shoulder, a joint that gives you the ability to move your arm in a variety of ways.
The rotator cuff also stabilizes the ball of your joint, keeping it in place within your shoulder. Overall, its because of your rotator cuff that you can lift your hand over your head, reach behind your back, and throw a ball.
Recommended Reading: Prayer For Healing And Restoration
Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms: 5 Signs Of A Torn Rotator Cuff
Shoulder pain can be highly limiting and uncomfortable, especially if you are an athlete. However, a more significant concern is the possibility that your shoulder pain is a sign of a rotator cuff injury or tear. The rotator cuff is a structure in your shoulders that stabilizes the joint and allows you to raise your arms and reach upwards.
Rotator cuff tears have two primary causes: degeneration or injury. Degeneration refers to the weakening of the rotator cuff due to aging or repetitive shoulder movements. Injuries tearing the rotator cuff can occur with lifting, a fall on the shoulder or an accident where the arm is pulled.
Rotator cuff tendon tears may cause loss of function, weakness and significant pain. Studies show that rotator cuff tendon tears occur in athletes and with aging, affecting 1520% of 60-year-olds, 2630% of 70-year-olds, and 3650% of 80-year-olds.
Although these injuries may happen gradually, becoming familiar with rotator cuff tear symptoms can help you determine whether or not you may have a rotator cuff tear and need to see a doctor.
Symptoms Of A Rotator Cuff Tear
Symptoms will vary in severity and can include any of the following:
- Pain in the arm with movement or when lying on it
- Difficulty with lifting the arm over your head
- Weakness in the affected shoulder
- Hearing clicking or popping noises in the shoulder joint with joint rotation
- Difficulty with lifting objects with the affected arm
You May Like: Cleanse To Heal Anthony William
Two Easy Exercises For Rotator Cuff Tears
Here are two examples of gentle exercises that a physical therapist may prescribe to treat your rotator cuff early in care. Use these as preliminary exercises before you get to a therapist. Do not perform if they are painful.
- Passive Table Flexion Stretch: This exercise emphasizes the range of motion needed to get back to activities overhead. All you need is a table or counter. It can be done standing or seated. The goal is to keep your shoulder down and back with your neck relaxed while bowing down to stretch your arms overhead. Avoid any pain or pinching in the shoulder if you feel it, you may be going too far into the stretch.
- Shoulder External Rotation Activation: This exercise works the rotator cuff, specifically the external rotators . It can be performed on your back, sitting, standing, or on your side. Be sure to keep your chest up, squeeze your shoulder blades together, and keep your elbows to your side to isolate the right spot. This exercise is highly modifiable. External rotation can be done with a dowel as a stretch into the position, pushing into a towel as an isometric activation exercise, or with a resistance band/weight for strengthening.
We wish you the best of luck with your recovery. To schedule an appointment with use please call 381-8947 or email us!
What Is Considered A Large Supraspinatus Tear
Medium tears were defined as full-thickness defects in the supraspinatus tendon only, greater than 1 cm and less than 3 cm in the AP dimension. Large tears involved full-thickness defects of both the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons, greater than 3 cm, and less than 5 cm in the AP dimension.
How do you rehab a supraspinatus tear?
13 Supraspinatus Rotator Cuff Tear Stretches & Exercises (Beginner to
Also Check: Second Degree Burn Healing Stages Pictures
What Happens Before Arthroscopy
You should follow your healthcare providers instructions about what to do before an arthroscopic procedure. In general, you should:
- Alert your provider of any allergies.
- Give your provider a list of medications and supplements you take.
- Let your healthcare provider know about any blood thinners or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs before the procedure.
- Not eat or drink after midnight the day preceding the procedure.
Will A Rotator Cuff Tear Get Bigger Without Surgery
A recent research study showed that even a complete tear wasnt very likely to get bigger . In this study, 24 patients who had full thickness supraspinatus tears and who opted to forego surgery were tracked over time. In 2 of the 24 patients, the rotator cuff tear completely healed on its own.
In 9 of the 24 the tear was smaller. In another 9 out of the 24 patients the rotator cuff tear size didnt change. In only 6 of the 24 patients, the tear was found to be bigger. So in 75% of the patients, the tear was either healed, smaller, or didnt change.
You May Like: Prayer For Healing Family Relationships
Can A Rotator Cuff Tear Heal Itself
Rotator cuff tear pain can be challenging to treat. One frequent question I get from my patients is can a rotator cuff heal itself? Or does it always lead to surgery?
Well, its hard for rotator cuffs to heal on their own. See, the speed at which a specific body part heals depends on its blood supply. And rotator cuff tendons dont have much blood supply.
But, this doesnt mean it needs surgery to heal. In fact, this is rarely the case.
In this article, Ill discuss 5 key things you need to know to heal your rotator cuff. Tap on the question to go straight to the answer:
Lets jump right in.
Recovery And Rehabilitation In The Hospital
Shoulder motion soon after rotator cuff surgery helps achieve best possible shoulder function. Shoulders with cuff disease may have substantial scarring and may be stiff. One of the major goals of rotator cuff surgery is to relieve any stiffness. However after surgery scar tissue will tend to recur and limit movement unless motion is started immediately. This early motion is facilitated by the complete surgical removal of the scar tissues so that after surgery the patient needs only to maintain the range of motion achieved at the operation.
A continuous passive motion machine is often used to gently move the shoulder in the recovery room immediately after surgery. The CPM shown in figure 15 above and in the video clip below is continued for the first few days after surgery whenever the patient is in bed.
During the hospitalization the patient learns a simple rehabilitation program that will be used to maintain the range of motion at home after discharge.
Figure 16 below shows the exercises used to maintain elevation and rotation of the arm. On the day of surgery or on the day after the physical therapist teaches the patient gentle range of motion exercises. Usually the patient is shown how to stretch the shoulder forward and out to the side preventing stiffness and adhesions.
You May Like: Powerful Night Prayer For Healing
