How To Treat A Rotator Cuff Tear

Surgical Repair

In the event the injury is a severe one, patients may require surgical repair to treat the rotator cuff and repair the torn tendon. Four different types of surgeries can be used to treat a torn rotator cuff. An arthroscopic tendon repair, which is mainly used for partial tears, involves the insertion of a small camera into a couple of tiny incisions. The camera provides the surgeon with enough light to repair the tendon with small tools also placed through the incisions.

A tendon transfer is used only when the damage to the tendon is so severe that a reattachment to the arm is simply not possible. A tendon will be taken from a nearby location and placed in the position where the old tendon was. An open tendon repair uses a large incision to properly repair the torn tendon. Unlike an arthroscopic surgery, an open tendon repair can have a more painful recovery process. Patients can also obtain a shoulder replacement surgery, which is only used when the injury is a massive one. Several different procedures are provided during this surgery, which includes a reverse shoulder arthroplasty.

Apply Cold Or Hot Compresses

One treatment option for a rotator cuff tear that can help patients relieve pain is to apply cold or hot compresses to the shoulder. The application of both hot and cold items can help dull the pain and reduce the inflammation. A hot compress can be anything from a towel dampened with warm water to a heating pad placed on sensitive skin. When someone applies heat to an injury like a rotator cuff tear, more blood will circulate through the injured area, which will reduce the stiffness in their joints. However, patients shouldn't use hot compresses for at least two days following the initial injury. As for cold compresses, these can be made from towels dampened with cold water or ice packs placed in a plastic bag. A cold compress will numb the injured area, which helps reduce the pain and swelling.