Starting Therapy Fast for Rotator Cuff Tears Makes a Difference

By Ellie Lois


Rotator cuff tears can be quite painful or just a plain nuisance. Most people do not even know they have one. During autopsies, it was shown that seventy percent of people over the age of 80 had one. And at least 30 percent of those under 70. The older a person becomes the more worn out things become. A person could push, pull, or stretch up too high for example. It can be disabling if not treated at all.

Rotator cuff tears do not only strike old folks but also, others as well.

Many people get rotator cuff tears from falling or having an accident like a car accident for example. Many rough and tough football players end up with rotator cuff problems. And even more from playing golf. You don't have to fall down the stairs to get a shoulder injury. My rotator cuff tear happened just by someone pulling my arm to go somewhere.

If you happen to experience a burning sensation somewhere on your shoulder when lying down or perhaps, if you have difficulty putting your arm up on your head or a slight discomfort at a particular spot on the shoulder, chances are, you might have a rotator cuff tear. This is exactly true, when the pain extends from the shoulder down to the elbow. Take notice of these symptoms. The pain I felt the last time was spreading to the other side of my body and putting on a shirt was difficult. It was not that disturbing though, but I know if I had ignored the signs, it would have grown to be more serious.

Paying close attention to rotator cuff tear signs can save you from being badly hurt. A physical therapist can help restore the injury in no time by teaching the exercises, so you can do it alone next time. You can always seek help and gather information from various therapy centers on treating rotator cuff tears.

Before anything else, it is best to seek professional help. Tests like Arthrogram, ultrasound, MRI and a diagnostic arthroscopy can identify prognosis on rotator cuff injuries. Aside from the tests, the doctor also checks on the shoulder itself, testing its movement as to how much pain you feel while doing the range of motion. This can help the doctor decipher as to what extent your injury has become from just a slight tear to a full tear.

Early detection of rotator cuff injury can facilitate early treatment. If not checked sooner, a rotator cuff injury may become serious. To treat serious and full cuff tears, surgery is vital and physical therapy follows.




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