Rotator Cuff Tear
The rotator cuff muscles are responsible for raising, lowering, and rotating the shoulder. Rotator cuff muscles and tendons can tear as a result of trauma, activities involving repeated overhead motion, or weakness and degeneration associated with aging. Most rotator cuff tears produce no symptoms, but some can lead to major pain and disability requiring treatment.
Common symptoms
Symptoms of rotator cuff tears include:
- Pain that increases with movement such as reaching overhead or lifting
- Deep ache at night that makes the shoulder painful to lie on
- Loss of strength
- Atrophy
- Decreased range of motion when reaching behind the back or across the body
- Complete inability to even hold arm up
SSPT’s approach to treating rotator cuff tears
Therapy can help relieve pain and restore function whether your rotator cuff injury requires surgery or not. Your SSPT therapy for a rotator cuff tear may include:
- Modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or iontophoresis
- Joint and soft tissue mobilization
- Exercises to help improve posture and stretch and strengthen muscles
- Education about body mechanics and proper posture to alleviate stress on the rotator cuff muscles
