Your rotator cuff allows for great movement in your shoulder, but is also susceptible to injury, especially for athletes or those who put excessive stress on their shoulders. When this occurs, you will need physical therapy to restore motion and strength. Physical therapy should begin once you can tolerate the exercises without too much pain.
Rotator Cuff
Your rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons in your shoulder that connect your upper arm bone to your shoulder blade. It also helps stabilize the ball of your upper arm in your shoulder socket. The rotator cuff allows for the widest range of motion of any joint in your body. Rotator cuff injuries can vary, but common problems include inflammation and irritation of the tissue, and tears of either the muscles or tendons. Symptoms may include pain, tenderness, weakness and immobility in your shoulder. Repetitive overhead motions, such as throwing a baseball or playing tennis, are common causes of rotator cuff injuries.
Treatment
There are various treatments for rotator cuff injuries, depending on the severity of the damage. A minor injury can usually heal on its own with proper care. You can apply ice and heat to help reduce pain and inflammation, as well as over-the-counter pain medication. If a large tear occurs, you may need surgery to repair the torn tissue.
Physical Therapy
The Mayo Clinic recommends resting your shoulder by avoiding any activities that cause you pain. During this time, avoid heavy lifting and overhead arm motions until your pain subsides. However, you should do some gentle, pain-free exercises to help keep your rotator cuff limber. Complete inactivity can cause shoulder stiffness and a condition known as frozen shoulder, in which it becomes too stiff to move. Once your injury begins to heal and you regain some motion in your shoulder, you can begin a more intensive program. According to the Mayo Clinic, your therapy plan should include daily stretches and strengthening exercises that help rebuild your rotator cuff and prevent another injury.
Prognosis
Recovery time from a rotator cuff injury varies, depending on the severity of your injury and type of treatment. You should continue your physical therapy program to its completion even if you begin to feel better earlier. In general, patients who faithfully comply with the therapies and exercises will have the best medical outcome. The Mayo Clinic states that it may take several weeks to months of physical therapy. If you needed surgery, you can resume normal activities in about six weeks. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, most patients regain approximately 80 percent of strength in their shoulders six months post-op. In addition, UMMC notes that gains in strength continue over a two-year period.
