6 Effective Treatments for a Rotator Cuff Injury

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and the tendons that surround your shoulder joint and stabilize your upper arm bone in your shoulder socket. The shoulder is one of your most flexible joints and has a full range of motion thanks to the rotator cuff, but it's also prone to injury. 

If you injure one of your rotator cuffs, our specialists at the Orthopedic Institute of Henderson begin treatment conservatively. We offer customized treatment plans based on your rotator cuff injury, activity level, age, and general health. 

You can also rely on our vast experience and expertise in performing minimally invasive arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs if you ever need surgery.

The muscles in your rotator cuff are typically active all the time. Stress on the shoulder worsens if you engage in repetitive overhead movements in sports or at work. It’s important to treat a rotator cuff injury as quickly as possible. 

Best ways to treat rotator cuff injuries

We offer many effective treatment options, depending on the severity of your injury and other factors. Here are six such treatment options.

Immobilization or rest

Using an arm sling to rest or immobilize your shoulder joint supports your arm while taking the pressure off your rotator cuff. Resting the soft connective tissues of your shoulder joint can relieve pain and promote healing. 

Limiting activities in which you reach overhead also reduces discomfort and encourages healing.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy for a rotator cuff injury can help restore strength and movement to your shoulder. Specific exercises help you ease the pain and recover flexibility. Simple stretching and other activities can get you back to your regular routine. 

If you want to avoid surgery, physical therapy may be one of your best options. 

Avoid some activities

Taking a break from activities or changing your routine can help some mild rotator cuff injuries get started on the natural healing processes required to relieve pain and return to normal function. 

For instance, changing how you use your computer or sit at your desk at work can alleviate shoulder strain that could compromise your rotator cuff.

Steroid injections

We may recommend steroid injections if conservative treatment methods aren’t providing pain relief. Injections are helpful if shoulder pain prevents you from completing normal daily tasks like getting dressed or brushing your teeth. 

Corticosteroids have potent anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce harmful inflammation. Injections guarantee that the drug is delivered directly to the joint tissues and absorbed where it’s most needed.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications

We might prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications to lessen inflammation inside the shoulder joint. Even though some inflammation is a normal part of healing, excessive inflammation can prevent rotator cuff healing.

Stem cell therapy

We offer stem cell therapy to generate new cells and stimulate your body’s natural healing response if you prefer natural treatments to improve healing and reduce ongoing pain. After you receive stem cell therapy, there’s no recovery period, so you can resume your normal activities immediately. 

At the Orthopaedic Institute of Henderson, stem cell therapy is a highly effective alternative to surgery for some of our patients.

When surgery is your best option

We may recommend surgery if your symptoms don't disappear or you have a significant rotator cuff injury. You might also need surgical repair if you want to resume sports or a job requiring overhead motions.

In most cases, rotator cuff surgery entails removing damaged tissues, trimming soft tissues, and reattaching a tendon to the bone. We perform minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery to repair torn rotator cuffs whenever possible.

Schedule an examination at the Orthopaedic Institute of Henderson if you experience shoulder pain or restricted arm movement. Call our office in Henderson, Nevada, to schedule an appointment or request an appointment online.