The rotator cuff is composed of muscles and tendons in your shoulder that are responsible for connecting your shoulder blade to your upper arm bone. The most common causes of a rotator cuff injury include falling, repetitive arm activities such as throwing a baseball and lifting a heavy object. According to the doctors at the Mayo Clinic, most rotator cuff injuries will heal on their own. For those that do not, there are a variety of treatment options available.
Step 1
Rest the injury. In some cases, resting the injured shoulder may be enough to heal it. The experts at the Mayo Clinic recommend immobilizing the shoulder for a period of four to seven days. During the first two days, apply an ice pack for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 hours; this helps reduce the swelling and relieve the pain. On days three through seven, apply a heating pad for 20 minutes two to three times a day; this helps relax any muscles that may have become stiff from lack of use.
Step 2
Receive cortisone injections. A doctor may prescribe a series of cortisone shots for you. These inject corticosteroids directly into your shoulder to help relieve the pain and inflammation. The number of shots you receive, and the amount of time in between them is at the discretion of the doctor.
Step 3
Undergo surgery. This option is usually reserved for extremely large tears, or tears that have not healed with simpler methods of repair. In many cases surgeries are performed on an out-patient basis. Three methods exist for this treatment option: an open repair which requires a 2 1/2- to 4-inch incision, a mini-open repair that requires a 1 1/4-inch to 2-inch incision or an arthroscopic incision. If performed arthroscopically, a camera is used and is inserted through the smallest incision possible.
Step 4
Exercise your shoulder. Exercise therapy is typically recommended to aid in the healing of your injured rotator cuff. It speeds healing while strengthening your shoulder. One type of exercise you can do requires you to face the outer corner of a wall. You then bend your elbows next to your side, keeping them at a 90-degree angle close to your body and your lower arms parallel to the floor. Press one palm into the wall and hold for a count of 10.
Another good strengthening exercise is an internal rotation with the use of dumbbells. Lying on your side, keep your elbow next to your body while bending it at a 90-degree angle. Holding the dumbbell on the same side, raise it upward, hold for a moment, then lower back to the starting position. Repeat this exercise 10 times. The dumbbell should be light enough to be comfortable, yet heavy enough to provide resistance.
