Your rotator cuff is the group of muscles, tendons, and other connective tissue that allow you to lift and turn your arm at the shoulder joint. Unfortunately, rotator cuffs are prone to injury. Certain sports may make you more likely to injure your shoulder, especially sports that involve throwing balls such as baseball and basketball. Sometimes shoulder injuries aren't due to one specific instance of trauma but rather repetitive motions over time. A torn rotator cuff is a serious injury that needs medical treatment. Here are three things you should do if you suspect you've torn your rotator cuff:
1. Assess your condition.
It can be hard to tell a serious injury from a minor strain. Rest your shoulder for a few days and see if your condition improves. If your pain doesn't lessen within a week, you should visit your doctor. You should also see your doctor if you experience weakness in your arm or if you have trouble raising it above your head. Your doctor will palpate your shoulder and see if they can detect any signs of injury. They may send you for MRI tests, which will give them a more complete picture of the state of your soft tissue.
2. Try physical therapy.
If your doctor finds that your shoulder is simply strained or suffering from tendinitis, physical therapy may be all you need in order to recover. Your doctor may prescribe a regimen of anti-inflammatory drugs such as NSAIDs in order to control the swelling in your shoulder and give it a chance to heal. In physical therapy, a therapist will give you exercises to strengthen your shoulder and help you regain your range of motion. This can help you heal and also prevent you from reinjuring yourself in the future.
3. Seek out a shoulder surgeon.
More serious rotator cuff tears won't heal on their own. If your rotator cuff has torn completely, you will need surgery in order to repair it. During this surgery, a doctor will fix any tearing found in the muscle itself. They will also reattach your rotator cuff to your bones, if necessary. You will be asleep under general anesthesia for the procedure. You may experience some pain once the anesthesia wears off, but your doctor will prescribe painkillers to help you weather the recovery period. You'll need to wear a sling for several weeks after your surgery, in order to ensure proper healing.
For more information, get in touch with a physician like Christopher C. Schmidt, M.D.