What to do about a partial rotator cuff tear

Pain in your shoulders can occur for a variety of reasons. There are several bones, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments in each shoulder joint that are vulnerable to a wide range of conditions and injuries. One such injury that is relatively common is a rotator cuff tear.

A rotator cuff tear is a tear along one of the muscles or tendons in your rotator cuff, which is a group of soft tissue surrounding the joint of each of your shoulders. It is responsible for helping to hold the joint together while also powering your arm for a wide range of activities. 

Rotator cuff tears vary in severity from partial to total. A total tear is when the muscle or tendon is completely or mostly torn. In these circumstances, you will probably need surgery followed up by physical therapy for treatment.

A partial tear occurs when less than half of the muscle or tendon is torn. In these circumstances, you should be able to recover with the help of physical therapy alone, although there are some cases where surgery might be necessary as well.

Treating a partial rotator cuff tear with physical therapy

The main goal of physical therapy for a partial rotator cuff tear is usually to improve the strength and flexibility of targeted muscles and tissue around your injured muscle or tendon. Stronger muscles and tissue help provide support for the injured tissue, which can allow it to recover more easily with less strain and pressure.

Physical therapy treatments for partial rotator cuff tears often include:

• Gentle stretches and exercises for improving strength and flexibility.
• Soft tissue mobilization for reducing pain, improving range of motion, and preventing or breaking down scar tissue.
• Posture guidance for helping reduce unnecessary strain off your shoulder while it’s recovering.
• Patient education for showing you how to safely perform certain activities, such as changing a shirt, while your shoulder recovers.

Visit SSOR today for rotator cuff tear treatment

Has your doctor recently diagnosed your shoulder pain as a partial rotator cuff tear? You should visit a physical therapist for treatment. Our team at SSOR can identify the source of pain in your shoulder and work on a treatment designed to help reduce the pain and improve your range of motion. Contact our team today for more information about treating a rotator cuff tear or to schedule an initial appointment.