A rotator cuff injury refers to a medical condition that affects your ability to move your shoulders. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of a rotator cuff injury include shoulder weakness, limited shoulder movements and pain when reaching, lifting or pulling. Poor posture and repetitive arm movements are just a few causes of rotator cuff injuries.
Step 1
Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) such as aspirin to decrease your pain. Read the package insert and use as directed.
Step 2
Apply a cold compress to the site of your shoulder pain for 20 minutes. Do this frequently throughout the day. As the pain decreases in swelling, apply a hot compress to your shoulder injury for 20 minutes. According to the Mayo Clinic, this can relax your shoulder muscles and decrease your pain.
Step 3
Get steroid injections from a doctor. Your doctor will inject corticosteroid medication into your shoulder to decrease pain and inflammation, according to the Mayo Clinic. The dose and frequency of the corticosteroid injection depend on the severity of your rotator cuff injury.
Step 4
Schedule surgery to repair your rotator cuff injury if necessary. The Mayo Clinic states that surgeons may remove bone or calcium deposits that may aggravate your shoulder muscles or tendons (fibers that connect your bone to muscle). A small incision (cut) can be used to repair your rotator cuff injury.
Step 5
Obtain arthroplastic surgery. Here, your surgeon will place a prosthesis (replacement device) in your shoulder joints to help you move your shoulder. You can have a partial arthroplasty or total arthroplasy. According to the Mayo Clinic, this is performed when you have shoulder arthritis or you have a tear in your shoulder muscles.
Things You'll Need
- Steroid injection
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin
- Hot compress
- Cold compress
