Should I choose physical therapy vs. surgery for my injured rotator cuff?

Shoulder pain can be debilitating. According to a study, about 70% of people will deal with some sort of shoulder pain at some point in their lives. If you’re looking for ways to relieve your shoulder pain, you’re probably weighing your options: Should you have rotator cuff surgery or opt for physical therapy?

Rotator cuff surgery vs. physical therapy

It’s not necessarily an either/or decision when it comes to rotator cuff surgery vs. physical therapy. Here are some things to consider when weighing your options of rotator cuff surgery or physical therapy:

• Unless the injury is minor, physical therapy doesn’t heal a torn rotator cuff. So, if your rotator cuff is torn, your physician may recommend surgery.
• Physical therapy vs. rotator cuff surgery may be an option for you if you have a small tear (less than 3 cm) or if the pain is not severe. If your pain can be managed with physical therapy, then surgery may be prolonged.
• You may be a candidate for rotator cuff surgery if you have experienced prolonged symptoms such as permanent stiffness or loss of strength in your arm.
• In most cases, rotator cuff surgery is done in a minimally invasive way, using arthroscopic surgery. Nationally, nearly 2 million receive treatment for rotator cuff pain each year, sometimes leading to surgery. 
• Partaking in physical therapy after you have rotator cuff surgery can benefit your recovery. 

Overall, the goal is to reduce your pain and restore function to your arm and shoulder. Ultimately, whether you need to have surgery depends on your diagnosis. It may make more sense to view it as a sandwich — begin with physical therapy if your symptoms are mild, progress to surgery (if needed), and end with physical therapy after surgery to heal properly. Regardless of whether you have surgery to heal your rotator cuff, physical therapy is a great option for helping you along your journey. 

If you’re not sure if physical therapy or rotator cuff surgery is right for you, consider consulting one of our expert physical therapists at SSOR for a free screening. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.