A rotator cuff tear is a common injury, especially in sports like baseball or tennis, or in jobs like painting. First of all, we are very dependent on the use of our shoulders for many activities. Therefore, the resulting overuse can lead to a tear.
In addition, many rotator cuff tears produce no pain or symptoms. Tears can occur due to sudden, high impact motion such as lifting a heavy object with a jerking motion.
Rotator cuff tears are classified in 3 ways: partial thickness tear, full thickness tear and a full thickness tear with a complete detachment of the tendon from the bone. Most of all, any pain associated with the tear does not always correspond with the actual size of the tear. Acute rotator cuff injury symptoms include severe pain that radiates throughout the arm and limited range of motion. Symptoms associated with rotator cuff tears consist of noticeable pain during rest and crackling sensation in the shoulder.
If surgery is the only option to repair the torn tendon. Doctors often prescribe Physiotherapy after surgery for rehabilitation. This will make supporting muscles stronger, reducing pain on the shoulder.
Our therapist will guide patients through exercise programs that will help the supporting muscles get stronger and they will also teach you manual stretches that can be perform anywhere in order to reduce muscle tension and fatigue.
We also provide modalities such as ice and heat in order to reduce swelling on the affected area and a TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) unit is also applied in order to stimulate the tissues surrounding the shoulder joint. Therapeutic Ultrasound is also used in order to break down scar tissues around the supportng muscles, it also reduces inflammation around the shoulder joint that causes pain and discomfort.