RelievingRotator CuffPain
In The Acute Stage Talk toyour doctor about takingmedicines, such as ibuprofen or naproxenwhichmayhelp reduce swelling and pain.To avoid stomach and GI complications, avoid taking these medicines every day without talking to your doctor so that your general health can be monitored. Use iceattheveryfirsttwingeto lessen inflammation,decrease swelling, and reduce pain. Apply ice for 10 to 12minutes every other hour, using an ice pack, a bag of frozen peas, or an ice- filled plastic bag. (Cover skin with a towel to prevent frostbite if you use a bag.) As the pain subsides, apply ice three times a day until you’re completely pain-free. Using Your Shoulder Learn how to care for your shoulder to avoid placing extra stress on it. This can help you heal from an injury and avoid re-injury.Your positions and posture during the day and night can also help relieve some of your shoulder pain: •When you sleep, lie either on the side that is not in pain or on your back. Resting your painful shoulder on a couple of pillows may help. •When sitting, use good posture. Keep your head over your shoulder and place a towel or pillow behindyour lower back. •DO NOT carry a backpack or purse over just one shoulder. •DO NOT work with your arms above shoulder level for very long. •Lift and carry objects close to your body. Try not to lift heavy loads away from your body or overhead. •When reaching for something with your arm, your thumb should be pointing up. •Store items you use every day in places you can reach easily. Physical Therapy and Exercises The goal of treating the rotator cuff tear is not necessarily to heal the torn muscle – only surgery can do that, but proper exercise and massage can relieve the pain and restore your strength. Your doctor will likelyreferyou to a physical therapist to learn exercises for your shoulder. In addition to exercises, the physical therapist will alsomassage the tendons, mobilize the joints to increase movement and possiblyuse ultrasound, ice, electrical stimulation, or infrared to decrease pain. Returning to Sports It is best to avoid playing sports until you have no pain during rest or activity. You can return to sports, if when examined by your doctor or physical therapist, you have:
Full strength in the muscles around your shoulder joint Good range of motion of your shoulder and upper spine No pain during certain physical exam tests that are meant to provoke pain in someone who has rotator cuff problems No abnormal movement of your shoulder joint and shoulder blade Returning to sports and other activity should be gradual. Ask your physical therapist about the proper techniqueyou should use when doing your sports or other activities that involve a lot of shoulder movement.
“Amazing!!” “I would describe my therapist as AMAZING!! The whole staff is incredible. Such helpful therapists. The therapist really listen to all of your concerns and address them accordingly, totally customizing your recovery. Before surgery, I was totally depressed. Now I have my life back. I can do things at home and have a much better outlook on life.” - Patrick B.
References MillerRH III,AzarFM,ThrockmortonTW.Shoulderandelbow injuries. In:CanaleST,BeatyJH,eds.Campbell’sOperativeOrthopaedics.12thed.Philadelphia,PA:ElsevierMosby;2013:chap46. RudolphGH,MoenT,GarofaloR,KrishnanSG.Rotatorcuffand impingement. In:MillerMD,ThompsonSR,eds.DeLeeandDrez’sOrthopaedicSportsMedicine:PrinciplesandPractice.4thed.Philadelphia, PA:ElsevierSaunders;2015:chap52.
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